The ones I am aware of are: electrical harness (insuficient isolation), DME relay (ex-944 part), clutch slave cylinder (clutch only comes up partly). Any other ones out there?

 

From what I have gathered:

Wing elevator turns into a coffee grinder.
Winshield sqeaks.

Not much to complain about

<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

 

Some other areas discussed regularly on the board are creaking windshields, balky power seats (don't leave it full aft), questions about the early cars ability to take 18" wheels, noisy spoiler motors or jammed spoilers. The concensus seems to be early or late, the cars are pretty much bulletproof.

I've had a few mechanics, dealership and non, tell me the 993 is the best one Porsche has built.

 

What I have found most disturbing is the number of failed hydraulic lifters cases I have read about on this board .... Not like the second coming of the Freudenberg dual mass flywheel, but frequent enough to cause some concern.

 

How big issue that lifter problem is? I haven't heard much about it & what are the synptoms?

 

Only problem I've experienced so far is the "clutch only comes up partly" syndrome, other than that, no complains...oh yea, I've been hearing a brief rattling sound whenever I shut the engine down...checked all exhaust/muffler connection and everything appears to be ok???? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

 

Hey FF,

Maybe someone else can quantify how big a problem it is better than myself, but here are a couple old threads on lifter problems. A search for "lifters" will yield more. I think I count 6 cases of failed lifters between the two threads:

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/scripts/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=000673" target="_blank">Lifter Thread 1</a>
<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/scripts/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001100" target="_blank">Lifter Thread 2</a>

The good news is, it doesn't appear to be a terribly expensive repair (at least in Porsche $$), even if you pay a pro to do the work.

 

All I have heard negataively concerning the hydraulic lifters is that they can cause a subtle hp loss and you are not aware of it. One reason why I switched to mechanical lifters, as well as for the fact that at high revs they are much more precise and result in a few hp more. Downside, of course, is they have to be serviced at about 6,000 mile intervals. You hear them clicking, like in the old models....

 

Thanks,

I don't know if I have a problem but I think I've heard some tapping. Not when it's cold but when it's warm... I know this is 'easy' question to answr, but how loud the tapping noise should be?

Isn't there any kind of 'ticking' when engine runs? I think my engine sounds similar to about 3, 4 other Porsches I've listened.

 

I plan to have the wiring harness checked this Spring as I have heard it mentioned often.
That seems to be the only major concern I have seen cited regularly.
On another note, when I stop and the car goes to idle, it makes a rather odd sound (grind/rattle) Any thoughts on that ?

 

Hey FF,

Near as I can tell from reading the old threads, a bad lifter is pretty blatant sounding. I'm thinking back to my dad's old, tired American (hydraulic lifter) cars, that used to make a distinct, loud ticking because the lifters were worn out. Anyway, perhaps someone who has had this problem fixed will weigh in soon (Greg F., Dave E., Edward?).

Also, if your engine sounds like 3-4 other 993's you've heard, I'm guessing you're A-ok. I know my '97 engine ticks a little, but I'm not worried about it. Doesn't sound gross, it seems uniform, and the guys at Andial haven't singled it out as being out of the ordinary when the car has been there.

I will tell you what got my attention once, and this has been discussed sometime in the past here (I think). Started the car up to leave work one day, and was greeted by an unholy symphony of clacking. Turned off the engine again, restarted, still there. Turned off the engine again, restarted, still that 'orrible noise. Started driving off, and about 15s later, the noise magically ceased, and haven't heard it since.

 

Jim C. - It sounds like it might be your wing retracting. I believe this is the coffee grinder sound that pookee referred to. I'm assuming that you're slowing to a stop after being at the speed that causes the wing to raise (50 mph). Though I've never done it, I recall reading an earlier post about lubricating the mechanism to eliminate this noise.

Regards,

Jim Richards
1995 Black 993

 

Just got back from oil & filter and tranny oil change. Asked my mechanic about my engine's sound etc. He said: "perfect!"

 

My steering rack failed at about 72,000 miles and I was told it, too, was a problem common with early 993s.

 

Randall,

Had the same thing happen just a couple of weeks ago. Started the car, drove 50 ft, and immediately parked it 'cause I thought parts were going to fly out of the motor

Called up the dealer and they said drive it over so they could take a listen. Of course, after I drove 250 yds. the sound vanished! Went on to the shop anyway and the explanation I got was... good chance some trash blocked up the hydraulic line to one of your lifters. Once the pressure built up the restriction was blown through and no more sound. If such sounds go away after the motor is warm don't worry - if they the don't go away - come back to see us

Haven't heard a peep from it since

Ben