2100 rpm rattle

[Rob Edwards]

[][]Well, yet another week has gone by without any real news, except that my car was not returned to me after all, so it has now spent over a third of it's life in the garage, away from me.
I'm really not pleased with this, and if this is Porsche's idea of keeping a (thus far loyal) customer happy, then they need to think again. I know that this is probably down to the cost of fixing, but really, that shouldn't be my problem! This is a legitimate fault, and as such should be (IMHO) remedied with the minimum of inconvenience to the consumer (i.e me!).
I am seriously considering asking for my money back if this cannot be resolved, as it was only 8 weeks and 1200 miles old when this fault manifested itself, and the car is (unsurprisingly) as new. Any legal eagles out there willing to give advice?
Yours in abject frustration and annoyance,
Rob[:'(]

 

[Rob Edwards]

[]Well, just when I thought it couldn't get much worse, I spoke with Porsche GB and they tell me that there is still no word from Porsche Gmbh Germany and that it could take more time. Also, because the oil pump is an integral part of the engine, to fit the part to cure the 'buzz' will probably cost over £3,500 per car. This seems to be the reason why time is being taken over this.
I have suggested to my dealer that they take the car back and credit me against a new 987S (which I will up the spec on) or against a new SLK AMG55 which the same dealer has in another garage nearby.
I am very disappointed with the lack of response from Porsche, and although Porsche GB have been very sympathetic, I am loathe to wait another month (as suggested to me) for something to happen. []
This is my 4th Porsche and as a result of all this I am seriously thinking of jumping ship to the AMG brand - as I pointed out, Porsche are the worlds most profitable car maker - perhaps they should start acting like it. Conversely, the customer care we have received over warranty issues with our BMW 330i was sorted out very quickly and with the minimum of fuss.
Anybody thinking of buying a 987 - listen out carefully for this buzz-rattle before you part with any cash - it might save you a lot of hassle in the long run......
I'll keep you posted.
Rob[&o]

 

[Rob Edwards]

Well, here's the final posting on this subject.
I STILL have not heard anything back from Porsche GB and the car is still at my OPC (after 8 weeks and half it's life!) awaiting a decision from Porsche GB and Porsche Gmbh in Germany. [:'(]
It would seem that this is a fault which only affects a small (but significant) percentage of 987's and the cost to fix it properly (i.e a mechanical resolution rather than masking the symptoms with thicker oil) is estimated at around £4k.
It would appear that in order to get at the valve in the oil pump to replace it, the engine has to undergo serious work, hence the cost.
In my case, I am happy to report that I have had very good customer care from my OPC and a mutually satisfactory outcome has been agreed between my OPC and myself, without any sanction from Porsche GB/Gmbh.[]
I am sticking with the marque despite the dithering and procrastination shown, and I would suggest that if anyone has a 987 with these symptoms, they should start talking with their OPC without delay, unless of course, they just put thicker oil in.
Good luck - I hope any outcomes are as satisfactory as mine, but that's down to how your OPC values you i'm afraid.
Rob

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Unless you've been asked not to reveal what the "satisfactory outcome" is - could you expand on what exactly it was...?

Please?

 

[Rob Edwards]

Hi Mark
I have been asked not to reveal the exact solution, but put it this way, I'm eying up a 997S on their forecourt, if I don't plump for a new 987S for January/February delivery.[]
Sorry I can't expand further.[]
Cheers
Rob

 

[DavidSaunders]

Hi Rob - Glad to hear you've finally got a satisfactory result, although it's unbelievable how long it has taken.

I've now got mine booked in for them to take a look at (or a listen to). I'll let you know what happens, but it's a few weeks away. Hopfully it won't turn into the same kind of saga that you had, and I'm hoping they can sort it out without having to change the whole car [].

David.

 

[deadloss]

Interesting stuff. Guess what? my 987S (March 05, 4700 miles) has developed a "buzzy noise" at 2100 rpm which occurs as the engine warms up (50-60 C). Had a good listen today and it didn't seem to go away as the engine attained normal operating temperature. The noise is particulary pronounced when coming off the throttle and the revs drop below 2400 rpm and then it disappears completely below 2000 rpm.

Called my OPC this afternoon. They have suggested that it would appear to be the "oil pump" problem alluded to in this thread, and said that they are waiting for an official response from Porsche as to how to deal with the problem. They said that there was no possibility of any damage to the engine and suggested that I just sit and wait for a while, and that if they hadn't contacted me within a month, then to get back to them. I'm intrigued to know how many vehicles this problem is going to affect.

This is my first post on the forum, so hope I've clicked on all the right buttons and will provide an update as and when I get one.

Regards,
Sean.

 

[deadloss]

So I've now seen my first post, but it has identified me as a non-member, although I am a PCGB member. Any idea how that happened? Looks like my challenge for this evening is how to change that and get a swizzy picture uploaded!

Regards,
Sean.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: deadloss

So I've now seen my first post, but it has identified me as a non-member, although I am a PCGB member. Any idea how that happened? Looks like my challenge for this evening is how to change that and get a swizzy picture uploaded!

Regards,
Sean.

Sean,

Common problem - see the link in my sig for the reason why, and the solution. []

Mark

 

[thboxster]

Observing the posts and the information related to each user, it doesn't highlight very well where people are located and therefore which OPCs have been contacted and are subsequently on the case of this problem.

Which OPCs have people reported this issue to? and which have acknowledged/identifed the fault and solution?

It looks like mine has come from the same "2100 rattle" stable[]

 

[Rob Edwards]

Hi David
Good luck with your car, and don't be surprised if they try to steer you towards the 'thicker oil' solution. Porsche GB did send me a written letter stating that it would affect the engine in any way, but I did not accept that as a permanent solution.
My solution has only been down to the goodwill of the OPC as a long standing customer, and nothing to do with Porsche Germany who (IMHO) really don't have a clue what to do next because of the vast costs involved in replacing the component in the oil pump.
I wish you and everyone else all the very best. I cannot reveal the dealership as they have specifically asked me not to, and I will honour that agreement with them as they have been very accommodating and have offered very good service to date.
Kind regards
Rob

 

[burrow01]

But can you tell us which area you live in []

 

[Rob Edwards]

About as far south as you can get in GB - I can't expand any further than that (I know it sounds daft) as if my OPC gets into bother with this, it may well scupper the good deal I have been offered. Sorry![]
Rob

 

[deadloss]

Which has got me thinking. I live in Hampshire, not far from the coast and there aren't that many OPC dealers on the South Coast... so I wonder whether I've been talking to the same one. Anyway, I'm going on holiday soon, so I'll give them a call when I get back and see whether they're able to give me an update.

Regards,
Sean.

 

[thboxster]

Well i've just booked mine in for 14th Nov. It'll be there for 2-3 days and they've reserved me a KN wihle my cars in.

 

[Rob Edwards]

Well, it looks like the deal on an ex-demo 997S is going to go through as a result of the solution achieved with my OPC (as mentioned, not sanctioned by Porsche) which I am happy with. I'm going to miss the ability to 'drop top' but the gain in performance will offset that for me (until a Boxster Turbo arrives!!)[]
I have thoroughly enjoyed my Boxsters, and I hope that you will all continue to enjoy yours to the max. For those of you with 'the rattle', I sincerely hope that you reach a satisfactory conclusion to this minor (but annoying) foible.
Cheers
Rob
(soon to be on 997 Forum)[]

 

[DavidSaunders]

My car went in to the OPC for a few days this week, and they have confirmed that the noise is coming from the oil pressure relief valve (at least, I think that's what they called it). Apparently this is not uncommon on the 987s and they have a growing list of cars suffering with the problem.

As mentioned by others on this thread, there is currently not yet a "proper" cure. There are two lines of investigation ongoing. The first is to develop a "procedure" that involves a different grade of oil. The OPC is awaiting instructions from Germany on this, so I assume it's not as simple as just replacing one oil with another. The second is to develop a revised part, and I got the impression that this has not yet been done.

So, my car was sent home with the problem still there but with the reassurance that there are no safety or damage concerns. The OPC is due to be in touch in the next few weeks to arrange to carry out one or other of the possible cures. I'm hoping this will be a real fix involving a revised part, but we'll have to wait and see ...

David

 

[juliany27]

Odd - this evening my 986 has developed a very slight rattle between 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears at about 2000 rpm.

It only seems to happen when I change up at, perhaps, a very low speed. If I change gear at, say, 2500 rpm then there is no rattle.

Is this related to these posted problems or is it my poor driving technique? Should I just accelerate a bit harder in future?

 

[deadloss]

Sounds like a different noise to mine, which is there at about 2100-2300rpm, either going up or down the rev range in any gear. It also only appears after the engine starts to warm up. Perhaps your noise is more of the "heatshield" rattles, which are also quite common - I had this on both of my previous (986) Boxsters. I'm just back off holiday, so will be calling my OPC this week to see what news they have.

 

[thboxster]

David, I take it that yours went into Reading for investigation?

Mine is going there in a couple of hours for the same reason, so it sounds as though they will be able to identify the problem quite quickly. Of course not today as the car will be nice and warm when it gets there.

And they're giving me a KN to play with for 2 days (Yeah, I think).