My brand new 2002 996 C4S with 1700 miles is grounded! <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

It started 2 days ago. Got the car started, brief warm-up period 'til the rpm drops below 1000 rpm. Then back out of the garage, short drive down 200 feet of driveway, step on the brake to check for traffic, when this gawd-awful grinding noise comes up from the rear! Full stop, shift to neutral. Rev a bit. Sounds fine, now. First gear, then second. Is there a different whine back there? Stop sign coming up, slow down. Step on the brake and clutch...... Holy mackerel, the engines' commiting suicide! Definite grinding and gnashing. Dead stop, sounds alright. Rev up a bit in neutral.... there's a definite moan that goes with the engine speed. Was that there before? Check gauges, warning lights, everything OK. Start up and go through the gears. Definite moaning or low pitched growling sound that goes more with with engine speed than car speed. More pronounced at low engine speeds, disappears above 2000 rpm. Not sure if it was there before. Comes another stop sign. Applying brakes only, some grinding. Moaning comes on as the engine rpm drops. On to the main road. As time and distance pass, all weird sounds slowly disappear. Decide to go on to work.

Come out midday for a short drive to check things out. No problems. Engine sweet, brakes firm, gears slickly clicking into place. Later in the day, drive home. Great car. Boy, when they say brakes need to be broken-in, they weren't kidding, I thought. Went out that evening, all's fine.

Next morning. Start up, back out, brake, shift to first. No moaning, groaning or what not. Go down driveway, brake/clutch.... all hell breaks loose again! This time, I garage and ground it. It's going to the shop.

Any ideas? I think its the tranny, on the flywheel side. Any simillar woeful stories? Would help quite a bit to direct a repair that is immediate, precise, and successful.

 

<img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />

 

For those still interested, took the car to the shop today. No moans, groans. Perfect as perfect could be. Left the car there, and told them to drive it around the block every morning until that gremlin comes out. I want that gremlin annihilated I plan to keep the car a looong time, and I want it perfect.

They gave me a Boxster S as a loaner. Nice car, but it's not my C4S

I'll give updates. I hope y'all don't mind, but its cathartic for me, and might help some other owners.

 

We feel your pain. But, at least you can beat the crap out of that loaner. OPPS! But, keep us posted

 

When a loaner comes off of service here at our dealership it becomes a per owned car that we sell. You dont want the next guy buying it to have problems because you 'beat the crap out of it', do you? PCNA does not have a loaner program for service. The dealership is providing it for you. Be nice to it.....

 

Due to an extensive March travel calendar, I have only managed to log 400 miles on my 02 C4S since taking delivery four weeks ago. To date, I have not experienced any of the symptoms you mentioned, but I will be sure to train an ear on the engine/trans/rear-end and will keep you posted as to any abnormalties.

I will have the car back at the dealer at the end of the week for installation of a RUF pedal set and aluminum gauges. I will make a point to inquire with the service manager as to this issue and will relay any insights or reports he may have heard through his network(s).

 

No word yet from the shop. I have to admit, the thought of taking that loaner to a twisty mountain road and taking it to the car's or my limit is tempting. But, the car only has 200 miles on it, and it is a tiptronic. The tiptronic kinda dampens the fun factor. It doesn't come close to throwing that short shifter, heel-toe brake and gas, then nailing the throttle on the way out of the curve. No offense to tiptronic owners. The dealership has treated me well over three cars I bought from them, and I plan to drive that loaner probably even more gingerly than if it were my car. It most likely will just sit in my garage, keeping the space warm 'til the C4S comes back.

Thanks for the offer, T. Based on my description of the problem alone, since it seems to be time and distance and therefore heat related, one of the suspect components is the viscous coupling for the AWD system. The transmission in the C4S is the same tranny that's in the turbo, and that supposedly makes it bulletproof. The gremlin has not come out yet for the techs to listen to. Hopefully between your dealership and mine, with their respective networks, we'll be able to nail that sucker.

 

It's the darn power steering! For some reason, the fluid level was low enough, that the pump would run intermitently dry when coming to a stop. When up to operating temperature, the fluid expands just enough and the pump is primed just enough to not get the sound. No leaks anywhere on the floor. They are now checking the pans, but so far no source for the leak. One theory is that there was a large air pocket somewhere in the system that recently just filled with the fluid. Maybe the pre-delivery inspection just simply f*%#&d-up,in my opinion.

Anyway, it's a system that can easily be completely changed if there has been any permanent damage. Just glad it's not the engine nor drivetrain.

Soon as I get my baby back, twisty mountain road, HERE I COME! <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

 

That was scary...Glad things worked out!

 

Thanks, Don. And thanks to all for bearing with my prattle. I've never heard of a lemon Porsche, and I'd hate to have had the first ever.

They couldn't find any leaks. They've put a marker dye on the fluid. It's some kind of dye that wont burn off even if the leaked fluid vaporizes, or at least leaves some kind of identifiable residue. I've taken the rest of the week off to play with my resuscitated toy.

 

Palting,

Glad it was a minor glitch.

I have to say - I am enamored with the 996 C4S - beautiful car!

Ben

 

It sounded like a serious problem. I'm glad it wasn't.

Happy motoring,

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

 

<img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> i am also very relieved for you! you are probably quite right that this was a delivery screw up. at least they gave you a nice loaner!

i have 400 trouble free miles so far! the c4s is enourmous fun, especially in the twisties! <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />