Steering pump noise

[PerfectSeal]

I am hearing a rattling sound like something is loose near the power steering pump on my 944 S2. It's louder when I turn the throttle. Not sure if it is the SP or maybe inside the timing belt cover. I took the SP belt off and started the engine to see if the noise ceased. But noticed the crankshaft steering pump pulley was making all kinds of noise. Is this pulley supposed to be loose, turn freely when the engine is off and under no tension? Any thoughts before I start pulling things apart?

[Tom]

I am hearing a rattling sound like something is loose near the power steering pump on my 944 S2. It's louder when I turn the throttle. Not sure if it is the SP or maybe inside the timing belt cover. I took the SP belt off and started the engine to see if the noise ceased. But noticed the crankshaft steering pump pulley was making all kinds of noise. Is this pulley supposed to be loose, turn freely when the engine is off and under no tension? Any thoughts before I start pulling things apart?

Yikes, no, that's not good. Check the torque on the main front crank bolt. Your oil pump depends on it being tight (155 ft lbs). Either your pully cracked off its bolt hole area, or the crank bolt isn't tight, or?? I wouldn't run the motor until you fix it -- so you don't end up losing oil pressure while the motor is running.

[PerfectSeal]

Thanks Tom. Have not had a chance to work on it. I did not think the pulley for the steering pump on the crank should turn. I know when I did the timing belt a few months ago I replaced the crankshaft bolt and set my torque wrench to 155 ft/lb and double checked it. I will lock the flywheel and check the tension again, but if the tension is correct, I know that the pulley is only held on by the crankshaft bolt and washer, what do you think then?

[Tom]

Thanks Tom. Have not had a chance to work on it. I did not think the pulley for the steering pump on the crank should turn. I know when I did the timing belt a few months ago I replaced the crankshaft bolt and set my torque wrench to 155 ft/lb and double checked it. I will lock the flywheel and check the tension again, but if the tension is correct, I know that the pulley is only held on by the crankshaft bolt and washer, what do you think then?

If the bolt is torqued to 155 still and the pulley is still loose, the only thing I can guess is that the center section of the pulley cracked away from the bell part? But I'm guessing whatever it is, it'll be pretty obvious once you dig in to it...

[Zirconocene]

The 944 S2 has an integral vibration damper built into one of the pulleys. At this point in its life it may have given up the ghost?

Otherwise, all those pulleys are pretty stout. I'm interested to hear about what you find out, that's a concerning noise.

Good luck