Strange noise on start up .. last post i promise

Guest · Jul 17, 2008

As you may be aware Im a it of a 993 novice ( to say the least )
When i start the car up i can hear what seems to be oil splashing about in the rear ( tank ) i presume ... it gurgles away and sound like a couple of dolphins are having a splash about in the back ...
This carries on for a few minutes then settles down ... what would this be and is it the norm ? I just want to get a few things straight before she goes into Porsche next week for a check up ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

Mark Elder · Jul 18, 2008

Hi,
This is a reasonably common noise. Does not seem to occur all the time for me, but maybe I've got used to it. Other people have commented on it too. I think it's not to be worried about.

clyde · Jul 18, 2008

As Mark says it's fairly commen it seems to happen on some and not on others. Mine only started to do this after an oil change about three years ago. Although re-assured by the mechanic I'm still not entirely convinced that it wasn't something to do with the type of oil used - it wasn't Mobil 1.

I've read a few posts and have never read satisfactory explanation. I agree with Mark that the general consensus is that it doesn't do any harm. Like the windscreen squeek you do tend to ignore it after a while. I couldn't honestly say whether mine did it this morning.

clyde · Jul 19, 2008

ORIGINAL: MoC2S

When you start from cold, the oil system thermostat will be closed. Therefore the oil system circuit is very short, and oil gurgles around in the wheel arch area .. [8D]

HTH, cheers, Maurice []

But why does this happen only in some cars Maurice? And why does it suddenly start? Mine only started to do it when it was 10 years old. These questions demand answers [8D][8D]

day1zero · Jul 19, 2008

Yip.....mine never did for first 2years...then went away fro service.....and now it does......

Same oil used at each service...bizarre.....

Porker993 · Jul 22, 2008

Mine only gurgles when the engine's good and hot and the thermostat's open. I like to hear it, as it means there's some oil in there ...

ubertub · Jul 24, 2008

mine now does this... only since last service. Although I have noticed there was slightly less oil replaced than previously used, and genuine filters as opposed to MAN filters. As Mo says, it settles down when the thermostat opens so I'm not going to lose any sleep.

clyde · Jul 24, 2008

Mine was serviced last Friday and now no longer gurgles! I'll need to speak to the mechanic to see what he did or didn't do.

LeoSayer · Jul 25, 2008

I think the noise (or lack of) depends on the level of oil in the tank and the temperature. It seems to be more noticeable in winter. I used to get the exact same noise in my 964 as well.

prfarrar · Jul 25, 2008

Similar experience to all of the above. Car didn't do it when I bought it 3 years ago, nor after its first 2 annual services after that. However on the third service (all these done by Northway), it has started to gurgle when cold. Rang Northways back saying "have you changed to a different type of oil". Answer "Yes, but exactly same specification/viscocity". My conclusion therefore, it's entirely down to the make of oil, however bizarre that seems! I am convinced that if I went back to the oil previously used, then it would stop gurgling.....! That's how sure I am it's nothing sinister.

Mark Elder · Jul 25, 2008

Mine gurgles on Mobile1.
She'll be in for service mid August (Mobile1 again) so I'll see if it changes just because it's serviced.

BTW - only just noticed this oil tank related benefit: (not sure if it's new, or I only just noticed it).
Go for a decent run, park car for an hour, get back in car and put the seat belt on....the strap is pre-warmed. Can't see that luxury in the 997 options list[

]

matthewb · Jul 26, 2008

I used to have my car serviced at the Reading OPC but decided to try an indie. The service included an oil change - Castrol GTX I believe - but it had previously been purely Mobil 1. I was assured that this was fine. However, I immediately noticed that the normal quiet gurgling which lasted for a second or two after start-up had been replaced by a really quite violent thumping gurgle - the whole car shook. Quite scary. I didn't want to move off for a minute or two until everything had calmed down. I have topped-up (about 5 litres) over the last six months with Mobil 1 and things have gradually got back to normal. So it's the oil, then? Possibly - or maybe the improvement is just down to it being warmer now - or ...... Who knows.