Sam CS 05

Starting last week, my 2005 Cayenne makes a very loud but brief noise (lasting only few seconds) on start up. Lately car has been idling with more noise than before. It almost sounds like a rotary component. Could it be the water pump (still the original) or the A/C compressor. Pardon me for not being able to describe the sound any better.
TIA.
Sam

tonga3

Could be the starter. Mine makes a short whirl noise on startup.

Sam CS 05

That could be it. If it is the starter, will it need to be fixed right away?

porsche52

It sounds like you could have a bad starter and water pump!! A bad starter will only make noise as soon as the engine starts, in most cases this is caused by the starter drive not retracting and disengaging from the ring gear on the flywheel and or flex plate. This causes the starter to be spun at much higher rpm than it was intended to, causing a screeching/howling noise. The water pump will fail in a manner that the bearing wears out and causes a whirling rotating noise. It is louder at start up, by is always present, reving the engine will change frequency of noise and help verfiy water is indeed bad. You can put off replacing the starter for awhile but it fail at some point.

Sam CS 05

I think your description fits my car's symptoms and it may be both the starter and the water pump. With the colder mornings approaching fast,
I'll have it checked soon and post the result
Thanks.
Sam

Sam CS 05

Water pump replaced for $700 now needs a new starter quoted $1500 for the job. Sound fair?
Sam

porsche52

$1500 parts and labor? Seems a little high! I will check to see what I come up with tommorrow.

Sam CS 05

yes, that's the deal...a new local indy (non-dealer) price BTW.

ltc

Considering where the starter is located (under water), it's probably a full day's job + parts.

BTW, if you haven't already replaced the plastic coolant pipes, now would be a good time, while the P!g is opened up.

Sam CS 05

Coolant tubes were replaced not too long ago (out of warranty) by Boston P dealer. Wouldn't it be right to offer replacing the starter at the same time, considering where it's located and the probability of it going bad on a car with 60+k mileage?

Slow Guy

Not IMHO, if the starter was working fine there would be no reason to replace it then.

Sam CS 05

I do see your point but just curious what is the avg. life of a starter? mechanic said starter too small for the size of the engine.
Sam

Slow Guy

I would question that comment. To be honest I don't recall seeing another starter failure on here and from the description of your problem it isn't a failure of the starter motor to turn the engine over but of the starter bendix not releasing from the flywheel, 2 completely different issues (IMHO). Full disclosure: I've replaced a lot of starters (in a way previous lifetime) on mostly American cars but have not had the pleasure of replacing a starter on any Porsche. I had to take off the starter on my former 968 to do the clutch but no replacement.

Maybe our Pepper grief counselors can tell us if the starters are a weak point on these vehicles.

porsche52

Ok the job pays 1.70 warranty, so about 2.50 Customer pay. Figure in the labor rate, that is your labor cost. The part number for the starter is 948-604-106-00 for a new unit, and 948-604-106-x for a re-man unit. Price through my parts department is 954.00 for the new unit and 531.00 for the re-man. So if you go with the re-man, you should be looking at about around $850 to $900 with intake gaskets, tax, etc. New unit would be closer to $1300 to $1400. So depending on there labor rate, I guess you could come up with a $1500 dollar estimate with the new starter.

The starter is not a weak point, have only done a few at my location. Job is not difficult, as you can see it only pays 1.70 warranty.

wilfred

How can labor be only couple hours if it's underneath the intake manifold? And wow, almost a grand for a starter! Before your thread, I was thinking to myself for sure I will have the starter replaced at the same time when my coolant pipe bursts... Sure make sense to replace that $200-300 starter while at it but guess not...