New to the r56 platform after some subarus and boxsters. I just picked up an 08 JCW with 90k miles around 2 weeks ago. I've put around 850 miles on it so far and while driving up to the lake tahoe area at high elevation and heat, I got the yellow CEL where it reduces power while going up the hill. The previous owner told me he previously had issues with the HPFP but only twice and it sorted itself out, which led me to believe a vacuum line or something similar came off. I drove the car 30 more miles to my destination and I tried taking a look under the intake manifold and other areas at the vacuum lines and was not able to find a leak. After putting it all back together, it started making this noise (in attached video). PO said timing chain was done at 85k which leads me to believe that is not the issue. Looking for hopefully a quick and easy fix as I need to drive 200 miles back home soon.

Any ideas on the issue would be greatly appreciated. Taking a look under the valve cover soon.

not letting me upload video directly, here is google drive link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lGX...ew?usp=sharing

 

There is no vacuum line to the HPFP. If the previous owner had an issue with the HPFP, chances are good its still there. Those things don't sort themselves out.

For the video, is the sound you're trying to diagnose the higher pitched sewing machine noise? Don't think that would be the timing chain. If you removed some parts for diagnosis, and the noise appeared after reassembly, I would double check whatever was replaced.

 

I've gone through and triple checked all the parts I moved around for the diagnosis and it did not fix the issue. After diving a little deeper, I've found the noise to be coming from around the water pump/friction wheel area of the motor. I believe the two issues I have (CEL and strange sound) are unrelated potentially. I am going to try disconnecting the serpentine belt to see if the sound still persists. If that doesn't stop the sound, I will dive deeper into the water pump/related parts.

 

"I am going to try disconnecting the serpentine belt to see if the sound still persists. If that doesn't stop the sound, I will dive deeper into the water pump/related parts."

Do not run the car for more than a very brief period (less than a minute) with the belt off - you won't have any coolant flow. Mini heads heat up fast!

And: If the sound persists with the belt off then the source is not the pump or the alt., or the A/C....

Suggest as a first test, you disengage the water pump friction wheel, then consider removing the belt.

 

Did you check the material on the water pump drive wheel? Parts of it can chop off.

 

Honestly just frustrated with the car now. Going to take it in for a diagnosis and see what their quote to fix it is. If it's something easy like the friction wheel or something like that, I'll fix it myself. I'll let all of you know what it ends up being.

 

Could also be the alternator bearing. Taking off the belt should be easy: passenger front wheel off, pull the tab on the pulley, use a 27 wrench or what it is to take tension from the belt and remove it.