987 Gen 2 Ownership Concerns - Whine

dave webb · Sep 24, 2016

It might just be my overactive imagination but after a few minor warranty issues (hopefully now imminently resolved) but I think my Boxster has a slight whine. Paranoia perhaps but should I be hearing a such a noise? A check on other forums says that maybe it's normal but I think it's a new noise, maybe perhaps as the radio was off I hadn't heard it before.
I'm going to be taking up my local Porsche dealerships kind offer of a free health check when the car's latest warranty issue is completely resolved to see what they think of the car so any issues can be identified but do any other Boxster 987 manual (2010) owners have a slight whine from their cars? Am new to Porsche/Boxster ownership so not entirely really sure whats normal....
Kind regards,
Dave

RadioRayson · Sep 25, 2016

I have a 2005 Boxster S 3.2L 987 Gen 1. It has all sorts of little noises but I drive it hard and it delivers spectacular performance. Maybe your car's whine could be lost in the scream of the flat six Boxster engine working hard and the roar of the wind being punched through...! Good luck!

dave webb · Sep 25, 2016

Thanks for that but while my cars under warranty I'd like to work out what's normal and what's not. I understand that if you drive a car like you've stolen it that minor engine noises are lost in the rapture from the mighty Boxster engine. Am just trying to understand if I need to investigate further. Another thing - is it at all normal to see a slight wisp of smoke from the exhaust when started after it's been left overnight, only lasts for a second but is this a sign that nasty's lurk within?
Cheers Dave.

RadioRayson · Sep 26, 2016

Of course you do and I apologise for my slightly facetious response. Good luck!

Boxbrownie · Sep 26, 2016

From what I have read it is quite normal (although not every car will do it) to have a short puff of oily smoke on start up after the car is left for a while, nothing sinister just a characteristic of the flat boxer engine.

Geoff_Fields · Sep 26, 2016

The air con compressor can make a whining noise when the system is low on refrigerant.

dave webb · Sep 26, 2016

Many thanks for the reassurance and suggestions on items to check. I'll add them to my list so that when I get the car back from it's 'latest' warranty claim I'll pass the comments on to the guys who'll be undertaking it's free health check at the local Porsche dealership. Hopefully they won't find anything else too disturbing.... will keep you informed.
Regards,
Dave

Motorhead · Sep 26, 2016

Dave,

As Geoff has pointed, out it could be the aircon compressor - or any of the other poly-belt driven ancilliary components which are wizzing away just behind your ears for that matter (PAS pump, alternator, water pump, idler pulleys and tensioner pulley).

If you're concerned I'd get the Porsche centre to remove the bulkhead cover behind the seats and have a good listen to confirm that all's well.

Jeff

dave webb · Oct 12, 2016

I took the car along to my OPC yesterday for a free health check and apart from corroded exhaust bolt/nuts everything seemed to be fine... phew.
I particularly asked about the sound of the car, clutch and other basics, again the technician said no problems - nothing to worry about, so I shan't.
As the cars still under warranty with the dealer I bought the car from until next year, I'm thinking about the getting it covered then with the OPC, cost would be about 700 a year but it first has to pass a detailed 100+ point inspection and of course it'll have to have a Porsche battery (400?) fitted. Worth thinking about....
Regards,
Dave

jeffreycrowder · Oct 12, 2016

Hi Dave,
Another Jeff here with my tenpenneth!
I have a 2005, first of the mk2 987's with 2.7 engine and 60k on the clock.
I bought it on a whim, something I always wanted, never owned or knew anybody with a Porsche.
I guess it was a gamble but for 10k and it looked in great condition with only two owners thought what could go wrong???
Since purchasing it I have had it checked out by a local specialised Porsche service centre and they reported everything was ok, well pretty much, a slight weep of oil from the joint between engine and gearbox, but I as assured it was not an issue!
Having bought into the Porsche thing, the care and love of the beast, everything I hear or read about fills me with trepidation, I sometimes wonder if I should have gone for a conventionally mounted engine that can be worked on without issues! Maybe a BMW Z series.
I invested in the POR11 reader in order to understand the various warnings appearing on the dash, my local centre wanted £50 to read a warning!!!
One of the warnings on the dash regarding an over rich fuelling on both banks on start up I seem to have cured with a new £9 filler cap!!!
When I brake sometimes I get an ABS warning come up but on switching off and on again it disappears. Still not cured that one!
I seem to be living on a knife edge wondering if of some the noises I hear are the start of the IMS bearing starting to fail as apparently 8% of these engines have, and there is oil showing but was advised all is well, from a trustworthy source.
Can we really trust those that advise us, do they not have vested interests, how experienced really are they?
Should we not just drive the cars, forget about all the molly coddling they seem to be given, and if the worst happens just pay to get it resolved.
After all they are internal combustion engines with a multitude of bearings whirring around each with a potential to whine because their bearings are wearing out, but maybe not this year but in 5 years time.
How do we enjoy these engineering masterpieces and have a peace of mind?
Dave I sympathise with you and your dilemma, my car doesn't have the value of yours but it has the same concerns, perhaps the only solution is to pay for the warranty and consider it to be the cost of such a specialist car's ownership.

Pezky · Oct 13, 2016

I think if you are looking to but a particular make & model of car, the first thing you do is google for say "Boxster 987 problems" and read pages and pages of IMS bearing failures, RMS leaking etc. It happens to such a small number of engines and perhaps consider that many Porsche buyers just buy a Porsche because they want one.....Don't research it, just buy it and thrash it when the engine is cold, short journeys - definately an engine killer!
My previous Lotus Elise, as many people know they are prone to HGF. I'd done 7 trackdays in it over 3 years, always driven to/from track and never had an issue but always let the oil be nice and warm before giving it the beans

The last trackday I'd done, the car was driven to Llandow over the lovely twisty Welsh roads full of camping gear, helmet and other bits & pieces, on track both Friday & Saturday and driven home Sunday - never missed a beat.
My opinion is the cars needs to be driven but with mechanical sympathy.
Drive it, enjoy it ....and the noise always get louder the further you travel....and especially with the hood up![8D]

dave webb · Oct 16, 2016

Thanks for all thoughts guys, always good to hear others opinions. All things considered and after reading other tales of woe here on the forum I'd say I had nothing to worry about. It's like anything new, and especially with second hand cars, it takes time to understand their ways. To begin with I thought I had both excessive coolant and oil consumption plus other issues but now it seems .... they all do that so now it's just time to keep an eye on things and enjoy our Boxster for what it was intended.
Kindest regards,
Dave