2 weeks ago I bought an '05 C2S from a dealership, 20k miles lease return, CPO with extended warranty. Never owned a Porsche before, don't know anyone who does. I have a few questions, which I would appreciate knowledgable input on, please !

1. When dead-cold (overnight), I start it and it sounds like rattle-ing from the back of the car for about the first 20 seconds. Is this normal? Took it to the dealership and they retorked the exhaust manifolds but the rattle is still there.

2. On acceleration (mild to wild), I notice what seems to be a slight flat spot at around 3200 and then 3800 rpm. Is this normal?

3. Clutch is beautifully smooth, but after 20 minutes+ driving stint at consistent 60mph+ on the highway, I notice a slight chatter upon starting out from stops once I get off the highway. Is my clutch starting to go (never had clutch problems in any car I've owned before)?

4. Notice a shimmy/vibration in steering wheel that starts at 60mph and stops above 80mph. Assumed it was tire balance, and the dealership rebalanced (off the car) but still there. FYI, 19" wheels with original size Michelin Sport tires, appears 1 tire was replaced (3 tires have N1 logo, 1 does not, air valve stems on front are black rubber with black caps, on rear have chrome over rubber and chrome caps). All tires have decent amount of tread. What do you think?

 

well, i cant really say for number 1, but it may be some vibration you are hearing from the heatshield as the engine is warming up. sounds kinda like a rattlesnake? comes in and out? I had the same issue with my cayman and was assured it is normal. number 2 and 3...could be several things, not really sure though. number 4...i would take your C2S to a "qualified" shop with a hunter balancing unit and have the wheels road force balanced. it sounds like one or more of your tires is out of round. good luck and enjoy your beautiful porsche...(i have the same year and model)...

 

First of all, welcome to the best forum anywhere for Porsche cars (that's our opinion here of course, and a good one at that.)

Where do you hail from that you don't know anyone who also owns a Porsche?

As for your first 2 questions, the answer is normal. Learn to do a search to find out more about these particular matters.

The last 2 questions others here will be able to help you answer.

Again, welcome aboard!

 

1) Depending on the ambient temperature (i.e. less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit), I will get a "burbling" sound on start-up. It is not the rattling sound of something being loose, though.
2) I've not noticed any flat spots with my C4S, though you may be a better observer than I for that sort of thing. I'll have to watch for it tomorrow.
3) Mine does not chatter at any time. I would be concerned about the capabilities of the previous owner. It is worth having the dealer check now, before you get too far into ownership, as clutch wear is not usually a covered warrenty item, and if you have a CPO, they may help you out.
4)This is also not normal or acceptable. Depending on the balancing machine used, and the experience of the Tech, you may want to have them repeat the tire balancing or look further at the suspension. I have the tires on all my family's cars balanced by a shop that uses a Hunter Road Force machine. The owner does all the work. Is the tread wear the same and equal on both front tires? has the alignment been checked?
Hope this helps.

Jerry

 

Welcome, #4 is a balance issue of some sort, is the dealer able to balance tires on the car? It almost has to be in the front if you feel it in the steering wheel. Your clutch should be smooth all the time.

 

I get the burbling sound from the exhaust with every overnight cold start and I live in S Florida so I'm not sure the temp is a factor. The shimmy sounds like a tire/balance issue, see if your dealership has a Hunter GSP9700 balancer.

 

Welcome aboard!

About your tires: So one of them is not like the others. If you took them to get balanced by a professional my guess is one or more is off-round. Do you know how many miles are on the tires?

 

Welcome aboard. How about some pics of your new ride?????

 

4) i had a shimmy vibration that i really didnt pay much attention to. i thouhgt it was just the nature of the car, maybe a slight balance problem. however, after having my front springs replaced under warranty for a squeak and a new alignment, its smooth. no vibration whatsoever now. i should have had it addressed before.

 

Okay, for the "flat spot" characteristic of the 997 engine you noticed during acceleration see this thread:

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum/201499-997-acceleration.html

For the rattling noise you hear at startup, see this thread:

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum/260501-loud-weird-noise-at-startup-on-2005-911s.html

 

I suggest you get with the dealership where you bought the car and go drive another 997 that is similar to yours (even a new one) and look for identical issues. I think you may be hyper sensitive to something that isn't an issue. I've been driving Porsches since 1974 and my transition into my S cab has been seamless,--there is nothing that I haven't seen before in a 911,--except a lot more power and refinement of course!

Pictures, please. also post your locale. There may be another Rennlister near you who can lend a hand.

 

Thanks for all the quick responses!

I posted on Rennteam and have gotten nothing.

I searched for other forums, found this, quickly posted without reading forum info, then had to leave, so I have updated my info this morning. I have no good pics yet, but went to the Porsche Design store on Rodeo Drive to get a Porsche wallet (didn't like what the dealer had) and when I walked out, I saw this. My car is the front one.

 

Rodeo Drive, eh?

And what was that you were saying about not knowing anyone else who owned a Porsche near your neck of the woods?

Rodeo Drive.

Welcome again to the best Porsche forum anywhere!

 

My car is fairly new...1300 miles and it makes that sound on start up.
Had a friend you had a Maserati Ghibli which seemed to start 2 cylinders at a time building to an incredible crescendo. That was friggin awesome.
Buddy with a new Cayman S has the same thing. forget about it.

 

As I live in Greece... and we are in peak global warming, and not getting any better (!) we have been having 20 degrees in mid January... That is CELCIUS!!! So that would mean smth like erm 68 degrees. No such rattling sounds at start up in this temperature...
Secondly, I am missing a pedal from my car, so I am not going to be an expert to answer your clutch question, I will leave others to do that... Third, we tip owners have some other qualms about a dead spot somewhere in the power band, but I feel that that is related to the tiprtonic and not the engine...

So far this answer hasnt added much. However, on the tire issue, I have something important to add, hence the post. Michelin tires come in standard form and the N spec as you say. N1 for the Pilot Sports. This N means Porsche spec. If a tire doesnt have it it is not Porsche spec. And its about 30 euros cheaper. I was told by my tire man that the N spec means a bit heavier tread on the outside of the tire, to enhance grip... So I wonder if one of your tires is a bit lighter. It is also almost certain that a tire with different wear form the others could cause an issue,especially if the life of the tire is 10k miles... So if the others are 3000 miles worn, then 30% of the life is gone... And decent tread means nothing... I got mine with 10k miles on, and although there is tread, and the car is a 4s, I can spin the heck out of it, as the tires are really lacking in the gripping section. I am going to change them next week.
I dissagree with the practice of changing one tire in a blow out in cars such as ours, but I guess if its a lease and about to be returned one does get stingy... Take it to a specialist shop as someone suggested. Rebalance it. And if it persists, consider changing the tires... BOTH to N spec. Marketing or no marketing gimmicks, I would stick with a tire that is supposed to be designed differently for our cars.

Good luck, keep us posted.