DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

I've had a squeal coming from the engine for a while. it's usually at low revs or when accelerating from stand still.

I thought (hoped) it was the alternator belt but it isn't.

It sounds like dry metal on metal. The only thing i can think of is piston rings scraping.

I don't have loss of power or much sludge in the gauze when changing oil.

Any things i could be missing as it being a likely cause?

I have a video but no idea how to post it.

have you checked the fan isnt catching on the housing ?

Thanks for the tip. i hadn't thought of that, will check it.

I've ruled out the fan rubbing. not a single mark on it or the case.

It’s usually the simple things . Have you tried driving with the fan belt removed ? ( only a short drive of course )

I don’t want to jump to doom and gloom stories but our Boxster did squeal (for a short while) after the seized bearing shell started to spin in the journal. Also got told a similar story on a 911 engine I bought that turned out to have a very similar spun bearing shell.
Drop the oil and and check for metal flakes, or send an oil sample off for analysis if you suspect this may be the case.
Shortly after the squeal phase the death knock was clear to all (Boxster)
I’m hoping I’m wrong ….

Are you sure it’s engine ?. Will it make the noise when stationary ?

Does noise change with clutch pedal?

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Today I'll be stripping down the side of 1 & 2. to inspect the barrells.

All sorts of attempts to find the noise have failed. i'm hoping it's a barrell / piston issue. if not i think it will be a main bearing.

I took off the head and barrels from side 1 & 2. The bores are silky smooth with lots of vertical lines. not scratches. the rings have done less than 5000 miles.

5000 miles only? What has caused that?

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Rings snapped during installation?

Can you take a photo? 'Silky smooth' with 'lots of vertical lines' is intriguing. What do the piston skirts look like?

Have you fitted the oil control rings correctly? Depending on the design, if the ends are not correctly overlapped then the oil rings can press too tightly against the cylinder walls, removing lubricant and allowing them to run dry.