Oil circulation noise on start-up

[Guest]

Hello Folks,

Earlier this year I switched from a 964 to a 993 and had my first service a few months ago at a well known specialist. When I came to pick up the car, it had an oil circulation noise (a gurgling sound) for the first 30 secs - 1 minute from start up. I asked about this before leaving and was told its not unusual on either a 993 or 964 - they've seen this problem occur from time to time on cars over the last couple of years. I was told it would settle down over the next 4 - 6 weeks (as the oil's viscosity increases with use), but its still doing it two months on, and I use the car most week days. Its the first time I have come across such a noise in my 6 years driving either of the two Porsches I've had.

Has anyone come across this before and - if so - is there anything you've managed to do to cure it?

My 993's a '94 model, manual coupe, 84k miles, regularly serviced throughout its life. With the last service (a 24k one) they used Mobil S semi-synthetic and a genuine Porsche oil filter. On re-contacting the people who did the servicing they've told me their oil supplier has spoken to Porsche UK and that they've said its long been a characteristic of the engine (despite first saying they didn't recognise it). They also say it doesn't pose a significant threat to the durability of the engine and that Porsche have not seen any failures as a result of his noise.

Look forward to hearing of any experiences others have had ....

Cheers, Tim

 

[Guest]

Hi Tim, I have a virtually identical car to yours, but have done 25k miles more.

After my last service, I too have a gurgling noise from the rear offside area. I spoke to the service chap afterwards - he said some do it and some don't.

However, that service was nearly a year ago and I still have the gurgling sound.

I also posed the question on Titanic and there were a few who also have the same noise.

As with yours, it disappears once warmed up, and is most pronounced on the first start up of the day.

I guess it's normal.

 

[chrism964]

I get some gurgling from time to time on my 1990 C4. Usually after I have parked up following a long journey with the engine/oil 'hot' and then restarted after the engine has been allowed to cool to ambient temperatures.
I really don't think it is anything to be concerned about. It's just oil flow through the oil pipes.
Relax and enjoy the driving.

HTH

 

[dr fletch]

Again, I have the same car with 70,000 on the clock and when I start her up in the mornings she bubbles happily away for a minute or so. All quite normal. It alarmed me at first as it's actually quite loud but I have been re-assured that it's normal many times.

 

[John Maddox]

Quite normal - don't worry about it. Mine's done this for ages and now up to 162k miles without the lid being off and still goes like hell !!

 

[Gary C]

ORIGINAL: John Maddox
now up to 162k miles without the lid being off and still goes like hell !!

Dont you just love Porsches, could you imagine anyone saying that about a Ferrari.

 

[Fred Hindle]

More likely to say '16.2 miles without the lid being off....' []

Cheers,

 

[John Maddox]

Nice one Fred !!

 

[Stewart Rix]

Mine's had that gurgling noise for the last 3 years, but just during the winter when the temperature outside takes a drop. Incidentally that 'well known specialist' used to use Havolene semi-syn and the noise was just the same. Have to say, there was no such noise during the couple of years that I had the service done with Mobil 1 (supplied my own), although have been told that even that does it with some cars. It is a bit disconcerting hearing the noise for the first time as it sounds like there is air in the oil system, but will accept that no harm is being done if that's what the experts say.

 

[zrcg1]

Mine started making a really bad noise for the first few minutes after startup last February (shortly after a service). It had never done it before, and its currently on 136k. The garage checked it out over 2 days. They had the wheel arch liner out and they reckon the oil filter was vibrating quite badly until the oil became warm. Had the filter changed, and it was much better, but still bad on cold mornings. (both old and new were genuine Porsche filters).

Having the oil changed to Mobil 1 0/40 later this month, so i'm hoping this will make it a bit better at least.

It never used to do this prior to February ...... must be a bad batch of filters coming into the UK!

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all the replies. Judging by others' experiences I'll keep running it as it is and see whether it calms down with use / as the oil ages. Speaking of the oil, I'll also show more of an interest in what they put in next time (Maurice!). As for the comment about a bad batch of filters coming into the UK, I hear this problem surfaced a good couple of years ago so can't be that alone .....

 

[tiptop topcat]

Hi from a lurker. I don't have the opportunity to visit this forum much and still haven't regsitered my change to the 993 with PCGB. Anyway, just to say that the same topic surfaced on 911uk.com and attracted the same sort of replies. I'd noticed the noise on my 993 and assumed it was the oil circulating. Given that the temperature remains fairly steady, I haven't worried and the comments here are an assurance.

Great car and it would really be a shame if it didn't have a few quirks.

Sticking with the oil though, the dash board indicator changes dramatically on my car. Sometimes it just doesn't read anything at all, then it pops up to what still seems a low level. I know the level is fine and keep an eye on the temperature. I've assumed its a faulty sender and will have it checked on service but does anyone else have the same issue?

 

[tiptop topcat]

Well that depends on whether the guage does not operate until the thermostat opens? Even then I suspect there's a fault somewhere as a lot of the time the guage does not indicate a reading at any time.

 

[Porker993]

You will only get an accurate oil level reading with the engine idling, when the oil is good and hot, with the oil temperature guage reading past the "8 o'clock" line. When the thermostat opens, the needle will pop up to show a reading.

If the oil level guage is not giving a steady(ish) reading, there are two possibilities.

1. The sender is broken,
2. Your oil level is low.

If the sender is broken, you should be able to get a reading off the dipstick at idle with the engine hot. If in doubt take it to your local specialist to check. Anything is better than running with low oil. In fact I suggest you should not drive the car until you have confirmed there is oil in it.

Also, beware of overfilling it, as this can also do damage, causing plumes of white smoke to blow out the exhaust.

 

[tiptop topcat]

I should think its a faulty sender unit. I know the oil level is okay and sometimes the guage springs into life of its own accord. The car is due for a service etc soon so I'll get it checked then.

 

[John Maddox]

Replaced my Sender Unit last year as the needle would stay at the top all the time. Easy to do if you change the oil yourself as it needs to be drained down, of course. Only cost about £35 from OPC which is remarkable value when you see it as it's beautifully made in brass with a brass float.

 

[SECTOR]

Mine has gradually got worse and I have been told by my specialist that it needs a new oil thermostat. It is stuck open. It will cost £300 just for the stat.

 

[LeoSayer]

The gurgling noise is completely normal on start up and I've heard it on all 964s and 993s that I've ever driven.

In my experience it doesn't go away with the age of the oil. I can't believe a specialist told you it was a problem.

 

[SECTOR]

It is a problem, it sounds awfull. At first I thought there was a bearing gone somewhere. it really is bad. The oil temperature is always low under normal conditions.

 

[Mark Elder]

ORIGINAL: SECTOR

It is a problem, it sounds awfull. At first I thought there was a bearing gone somewhere. it really is bad. The oil temperature is always low under normal conditions.

So are you saying temp gauge never reaches the 8 o'clock position? Perhaps that is what your specialist is concerned about and reason to replace the thermostat. Not too sure how it can relate to the gurgle noise...but perhaps it could.

I use Mobil1 and mine gurgles - but normally not at cold - have to go for a few miles first. I think (possibly just imagine) the gurgle happens more when the oil level is higher rather than lower in the gauge range. ie the day after I do a top up or service etc I hear it more than I did the day before.....but I don't take notes!