Turbo Tip Problem

craig johnson · Jan 11, 2015

Hi all,

My Turbo tip developed a problem after 6m of brief ownership. 4 months later and it's still not sorted...

I started to get a grinding noise when accelerating slightly or under load just under c2k RPM. Either 2-3 or 3-4th gears. Made a v loud grinding/vibration noise, OK once 'powered' through.

I had my car assessed and diagnosed some water had somehow got into the unit and needed a new torque convertor (£3k form Porsche only!) and a new oil reservoir. This was a little better but still did it. I then had a Tip gearbox rebuild which for good measure these new gearbox specialists, used by my time and trusted independent Porsche specialist, also said it was a torque convertor prob and rebuilt it again. A little better but still not happy as hasn't remedied it. Now has had a brand new fitted torque convertor. Not really made much difference. It's had new oil several times now too. My cars a 2004 so has the later Tip, with the later 2002+ control module which I hear could have been a problem. I've run out of options (and money) and the only alternative I fear is left s to have a new gearbox, which is £8k from OPC plus fitting. Each time the gearbox comes out so does the engine which is 15 hours or so of labour.

My dream is starting to turn sour. My bullet proof car is becoming a nightmare. I previously had my 996 C4 for 4 yrs, which 996s get slated for having an engine widely (incorrectly) touted as "likely to self destruct at any minute" was perfect.

Any ideas?

Help [

]

Craig

richard hall · Jan 11, 2015

Sorry to hear about your troubles I too can attest to the whiff of cows manure when people speak glowingly about these "bullet proof" cars more luck to them I say, they always where expensive beasts and not as bullet proof as people think Richard H might be along soon and he is pretty knowledgeable about the tip box the only guy whose name always comes up as knowing about the 996 box and is able to repair it properly is Mike from sports and classic a regular on pistonheads http://www.sportsandclassic.com/index.php?page=services_gearbox_rebuilds no affiliation but a lot of dealers seem to use him particulalry for the 2 nd gear pop out problem before you go into that soul destroying experience of opening your pockets it could be worth just ringing him and having a chat, my experience has been there are a lot of people who say they know what they are doing but only one or two who genuinely know it might save you a few quid best of luck

Richard_Hamilton · Jan 12, 2015

I can't say I have an answer for you, but noises from the Tiptronic transmission aren't necessarily caused by mechanical problems. I have attached a TSB describing a similar problem. I seem to recall that the adaption settings can be reset with a Porsche tester. Has anyone tried that?

craig johnson · Jan 17, 2015

Thanks Richard and Richard. Yeah Mike at Zentrum has tried resetting the settings. Alternatives appear to be electrical now, switches or valves. Or new box at Â£8k. Before I finish, this Â£ is where I may end up which is the frustrating thing. Porsche only want to fit a brand new box rather than mess with integrals which is kind of making sense now! I'll let you know how I get on or what other forums may come up with. Thanks Craig

paulcole · Dec 4, 2016

Craig sounds like I'm about to embark on the same journey. I'm having what sounds like similar problems with my 2000 C4 Tiptronic which has similar symptoms - sounds like a coffee grinder for a fraction of a second when in higher gears at around 1800-2000rpm, only when warmed up.

Had a reflash of the TCU carried out by OPC (free of charge as they couldn't guarantee it!!) but noise still persists, they recommended fluid change and then TCU upgrade. Going down the route of having fluids changed first and then more intrusive investigation if I really have to but worried its going to start being a drain on resource. Would be intersted to see if you've got any further with this.

Rgds

Paul

paulcole · Feb 11, 2017

Craig, I've since had cardan prop shaft replaced as specialist recommended, but no change. Also front diff serviced but no change...read onanother forum that could be tyre issue?? Not sure where to go next but interested to see where you got with yours as very frustrating.

Cheers Paul

Pieman7 · Feb 11, 2017

Hi Craig been following this i take it you have the Mercedes Benz box? Has any checked the rear drive shafts, wheel bearing? Long shot

Ripmax · Feb 14, 2017

I've got similar woes I think. You might have read about my breakdown in a previous post. It was caused by a broken oil pump in the transmission, which on inspection also required a clutch basket to be replaced. I had new clutch friction pads as well. Total nearly £2,400. It now makes a loud noise in 3rd under anything but medium acceleration that's hard to describe. It's a bit like a turbo wastegate whoosh but more mechanical, like a big spring letting go. The transmission work has a warranty and they're taking the car back in at their cost to investigate. Your post has got me worried. I'm really sorry you're going through such pain - I can full empathise.

911tom · Feb 16, 2017

Hi I spend most my time on 911Uk but just spotted this thread. My 996 turbo tip did exactly this for about a year. I had a tip box oil change which did not cure it. Clearing 'adaptions' seemed to make it go for a while. I decided just to live with it as it not that bigger deal and my car is not as 'refined' shall we say as it was when it left the factory. One day I noticed it had gone and never came back! All I can think is that I changed the engine mount to RSS ones.