Twenty_One

First post here- skip to next paragraph if you want to jump to the issue. I just bought my first Porsche. I have always considered buying one but never got around to test driving one. I sold my 19 X5M to fund my motorcycle habit and have been working from home since 2020 and didn't have a daily need for four wheels, so I would just take the wife's X4 M40i when I needed. I just went back to work and I didn't want to ride a motorcycle everyday so I figured I would just pick up something cheap for cash until I decide what I really want down the road. While looking through ads, I stumbled upon a 2011 Porsche Cayenne S. I fell in love with it immediately and brought it home the next day.

2011 Cayenne S with 164,000 miles, black, Bose, Nav, Coil suspension wPASM, 21' 911 Turbo II wheels, new Pirelli P-Zeros, peanut butter interior, panoramic moon, etc. The seller had a stack of service records from original purchaser(he was second owner) and he claimed that it was accident free. I picked it up for $13,500. I will post services performed later.

I love this vehicle. I know for sure that I will be buying a newer Cayenne Turbo with less miles down the road. I started seeing issues after a few days. If I drive very cautiously, I don't notice much wrong at all. When the AC is cranked, I notice that the power steering might be struggling a little. I know the PSP and AC likely share pulleys on the same belt. I'm not getting a whine, and the steering doesn't feel like it's jerking or hesitating, I just notice that it almost sounds as if the fans are kicking up in speed as I turn the wheel and the slower turns feel heavier than they do without the AC maxed. I also notice that the fan blow out a strong musty(almost mildew-like) scent. The blower motor was recently replaced.

The most important thing I notice is that the transmission is acting strangely. When coming to a stop(probably 50% of the time) the vehicle seems to shift into first pretty hard which rocks the vehicle pretty noticeably. It's feels a little like trying to downshift into first gear with a manual vehicle when coming to a stop. The gear indicator seems to be slightly delayed, so it's hard to diagnose properly. This is MUCH more noticeable in sport mode.

I also notice that when I'm taking off from a stop, specifically when I quickly transition my foot from brake to gas, there is a slight hesitation and then a slightly abrupt "grab". There is no climbing of engine RPM during any of these felt issues and I haven't yet gotten the feeling of any slippage.

While searching through the service records I found exactly the same issue reported by the first owner in 2017. I'll attach a photo.

Twenty_One

Looks like they didn't do anything about it in 2017

Goose 993

Do any of the records show the transfer case fluid ever changed?

Twenty_One

They do. I think it may have been twice. I can check dates and mileage when I get home. I know thats a common proboem, but does that sound like it could be the transfer case? Most of what I read was about slippage.

fourthirteen

Looks like in 2017 the tech recoded the TCM and DME per SY 1613, and then reset adaptations. It must have worked cause he drove it to confirm proper operation. Maybe check out the SY. I know that resetting the TCM adaptations in my 2019 Genesis eliminated harsh downshifts so maybe similar here.

Twenty_One

Thanks for the reply. Any idea what that might cost? I'll run it over to Porsche at the end of the week.

synrgy350

Welcome!

Regarding the musty smells in the ac, remove the lower panel under the glovebox and remove the cabin air filter. You'll see the evaporator core there, you can spray it with AC coil cleaner to get rid of the bacteria that's causing the odor. Make sure the drain lines are clear too, that may be part of the problem if they are clogged.

I also have a slightly rough downshift when coming to a stop occasionally. Resetting the transmission adaptations always gets rid of it for a few hundred miles but it always returns. I've experimented with different ATF types to see if that might help, but nothing really gets rid of the clunky shifts. They don't happen everytime but they're still annoying. I actually thought of getting the transmission software updated at the dealer but it sounds like that might not really help since yours already has the latest software.

Let us know if you find a solution!

Twenty_One

I appreciate the info! I'll keep you posted on the shifting. I'm glad to hear the smell can be resolved easily, it's pretty pungent. Where can I find info on the drain lines?

Is the a way I can reset the transmission adaptations myself? I did see the funky way Porsche has you reset the PDK.

synrgy350

The drain line is actually right at the base where the cabin air filter sits, I would run a pipe cleaner through there to make sure it's clean, you can also test it by pouring some water in the tube to see if it hits the ground, it should exit the passenger side near the front right wheel.

I reset the transmission adaptations using a chinese PIWIS 3 that I purchased, I know you can also do it with an X431 scanner. A generic OBD scanner will not do the job.

Twenty_One

Thank you, yet again. I only have a generic OBD scanner so I'll see what I can find.

Twenty_One

Alright, so here is where I'm at.

The last time the transfer case/diffs were services was Feb 2020 at 123k miles. The last time the trabsmission fluid was replaced was Feb 2017 at 82k miles of the now 164k.

All of the euro repair ships in the city want to charge 100-150 to reset the transmission adaptations but they all(about 12 different shops) gave a lot of pushback and swear that it's not going to solve anything.

The shop that specializes specifically in Porsche said that the trans fluid should be serviced now and there's a possibility of slippage after the service as the fluid will no longer have grit suspended in the liquid from a wearing transmission.(something we all know) but is roughly 80k long enough to have that worry?

This same shop also tried to explain that 164k is pretty good for the PDK and its a good possibility that its time for a replacement ($15,000 usd which is more than I paid for the vehicle).

Now I'm considering getting out of it and buying a turbo. A local detailing business asked if I was willing to sell. He wants to make a video of restoring the paint to better-than-factory, wrap a few portions, and powder coat the rims at cost and then sell it at auction.

Thoughts? I'm nervous now.

synrgy350

I would definitely get the transfer case fluid and ATF changed out, 82K miles on ATF is not "too late" to change out, that mechanic is wild!

Resetting the adaptations may or may not fix the clunk, that is completely true. However you may want to invest in your own scan tool for a few hundred more if you plan on working on the car yourself. It all depends on how "DIY" you are or if you plan on just taking the car (or any future porsche you buy) in every time it needs something. Just as an example, if you are handy and familiar with working on cars, you can buy something like this to reset the transmission adaptations:


Also, I hope your shop is not a Porsche repair specialist, since the Cayenne has never been equipped with a PDK. The transmission in ALL of our generation cayenne's are the Aisin (Toyota owns them) 8 speed transmission which is used in Lexus vehicles. A pretty reliable transmission, but definitely not the smoothest. I think it has to do with the Porsche programming. Do not believe them when they say your transmission needs a "replacement".

Do you work on cars yourself at all? That might be your deciding factor if you want to keep it or not.

Twenty_One

I appreciate all of the info. I'm pretty handy but I haven't done a lot. I have replaced valve cover gaskets and spark plugs, changed engine oil and ATF. etc.

I'm more of a motorcycle DIY guy, but im very mechanically inclined and typically just need a video to watch before diving in. Most of my experience is in rebuilding 2 stroke dirtbikes throughout my teens and twenties.

Looks like the shop specializes in performance 911's. I won't be calling back.

Porsche finally called back and they stated that these transmissions only need a service after 160k miles so I should be okay for a minute. They wanted $2400 for an ATF service. Are these tough to do in the driveway?

Quadcammer

well considering the car comes with a standard Aisin torque converted automatic transmission and not a PDK, I might reconsider using the services of said shop.

Quadcammer

no. you just need a way to pump fluid into the pan and a way to measure the temperature of the fluid to determine the level.