Interior noise

Dear all, I have just picked my very first Porsche today. It Is a 2001 Carrera 4 in midnight blue and automatic. As I was driving home, I discovery a very odd sound near the dash. Sounds like a leaking air pump, but I have no idea what that is. It happens about every ten seconds. Is that normal? Thx Bigbiglemoncoke

I have a 03 with 51k miles. I have the x73 suspension and the car has developed a mean creaking noise from the front end. My indie replaced the top shock mounts and after he lubricated everything the noise stopped for a week. I can be driving down the road at low speeds and hear the creak. I can turn the wheel when stopped and hear it. I can also hear it if I back off the gas. I can spray the entire shock assy with wd40 and it will temporarily be silent. I tried to isolate the noise by spraying the lower suspension bits and the noise was still there. I'm thinking it's an upper suspension issue Any ideas????? My indie thinks it's the shocks themselves but I don't agree.

Wow, that's a new one on me. Did you have the AC or Heat on? Where on the dash does it sound like it's coming from? My best guess is it's a vacume leak in the AC system.

the top mounts need to have the bearing backing plates replaced at the same time. they wear out usually at the same time and are part of the top mount assembly component parts. ask to ensure he changed them as well. if not, that'll be your cause.

Yes, I had the fan on. It sound really like a compressor leak or over flow. I will try again tomorrow with the whole system turn off. Before the purchase I did check on the common problems eg, oil leak, rear wing failure and no sign of major impact. What else should I beware. Thx

Sorry to rant but most indy shops don't know **** about these cars. For these cars, this is by far the most knowledgable group of guys I've ever been a part of. Listen to the advice you're given here and ditch the indy. I did months ago and learned so much about my car, and saved a ton of money. Just a quick search here will likely get you any info you need.

I would make sure the oil is in good shape as well as the brake fluid and coolant. For good measure I'd take it to a dealer or indy and have them go through it. On you noise, I'll bet it's a vacume leak.

My indie says mounts and bearings replaced

Bigbiglemoncoke First of all congrats on your purchase and would love to see some photos of the newly acquired ride Did you have a PPI done by chance before hand ? I will go with FLA996TT on this one and take it to a indy but it sounds like a vacuum leak from the information you gave us.

if they replaced upper mounts and bearings, you should jack the vehicle up and wiggle the wheel, passenger side and drivers side, while off the ground. If you feel deflection or movement. check all the bolt joints. ripped rubber or maybe lower bolt joint is rusted, needs to be replaced, how much they charge you for upper mounts and bearings?

Well, it was a quick purchase. I wanted one for many years, and happen to see it with all the spec that I wanted. I will try to post some picture tomorrow. Thank You for your advise. I will bring my car to a Porsche specialist near my area. If the leak is from the AC system, is that an urgent problem or I can wait? Thx

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Quote: So, this might be the worst information I have ever read. A Indy shop can be excellent or it can be bad just like everything else in life it depends on the individual. However, a car forum is no replacement for having trained eyes physically look at the problem. That being said like all good internet gurus, with absolutely no way of diagnosing your car over the internet except the information your providing. I mean, like absolutely no way to put your car in-front of me on a rack and turn it loaded on slip plates to track the noise and stethoscope the location to pin-point the cause. I am going to throw out an accurate diagnosis! So, with the powers invested in me as an Internet Guru... You need to replace your Swaybar Endlinks. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/por...11-37643017381 Your Pal -Fishey

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Quote: Well for me if it's from the AC it would be a big deal, but I live in Florida! But really, if it a vacume leak (and I think it is) at some point the ac won't work, and may cause damage to the compressor and your wallet. Get it taken care of when it's minor, because it couls be as simple as a cracked hose or fitting.

I know I will be hated for this comment but most problems I see here and on the other forum are easy 101 things you run into the first few years of doing your own repairs. It is nice to get ideas/help from members and we all need it from time to time but fishey is correct that you cannot tell much from behind a screen.

Today I am suspecting the sound is coming from the built in natvigation system. Since I live in the area that Porsche never had the disc for it, according to the previous owner, the slot is empty all the time. The system keep on searching for the disc every ten seconds or so. May I ask is there a way I can disable the navigation system? Thx

thats bulls*it. too. some issues and problems are so common to these cars that some of "us"/"them" have had "them" many times! the fix is usually always the same! so,..why not share from ones experience?! all one needs to hear are the symptoms and a bit of background to properly make an internet diagnosis and though not always right ( duh ) they are ( mostly ) educated "guesses" based upon others previous real world experiences with similar issues and their "solutions" so. no, it's not web md! and sure, they too will warn you against taking what you read vis a vis "advice" with a grain of salt and not treat it as "gospel" for legal reasons. but these aint MEDICAL diagnosis! none of anything said does ANYTHING to diminish the FACT the counless guys here get correct advice daily regarding issues with their cars, or what parts go best together etc etc. there is no one definitive "answer". there are merely EDUCATED guesses. some better than others, and should be treated as such, and sure, maybe little more than that even if they DO tend to be correct MORE often than not. sheesh. so what ELSE is the joint for, beyond whose wing is baddest?! or "gee, what tires should i get?!" unfrickincredible

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Quote: I wouldn't go disableing anything on a Porsche, especially electrical. What I would do is contact a dealer, and indy, or Porsche North American, I would think there would be a fix for it or a patch/upgrade.

Sway bar bushings have been known to be one of the major creakers on all 996 models.

Today I put a blank CD into the slot and the sound is almost gone. So I guess it was the system kept trying to load a disc. Thx for the help. I have already learn a lot from the forum since joined. Thank you.

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Quote: control arm bushings fail, made outa rubber and creak like any worn rubber bit's are prone to do! thats why vertex ( crap? made the bushings outa poly ) control arm links, sway bar drop link, inner & outer tie-rods, and yes... sway bar bushings. check every one of those parts. "some"where in all that there hopefully you''ll find your creak(s), and hopefully someone here has given you a paddle.

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Quote: I can't believe that you didn't go over this car with a fine tooth comb before pulling the trigger on it. Not even a PPI????? You bought it just because it had the specs you were looking for????? An Automatic????? Beware of all the electrical system of the car especially if the PO has been (so called) upgrading or modding it in any way. A classic case of leaping before a good thorough look. I just have to go now and smash my head against a wall as I can't believe what I am reading again. Before I go I wish you the best of luck and please accept my deepest sympothy on the Automatic part of the car as well. YIEEKS I hope you havent bought a BIG BIG LEMON haha

I'm having the exact same issue on my 01' 996 TT. I took the car to an indie shop and replaced both of the top mounts. I even looked at the lower control arms which were still fine. I ended up replacing the front shocks with HR coil overs and mounts. I'm still hearing the same creaking noise.

So... Bigetc... he is a suggestion for you . You really want to know in what shape your car is so, find an independent Porsche shop and let them do a serious Pre Purchase Inspection and see what they tell you. That will give you a base line, it will allow you to figure out if and where you need to spend money or not and basically it will give you peace of mind. Then, get yourself a CARFAX for the car and pay the 35 bucks for it and see what that tells you. Next go to the Porsche USA website and request a build document ie it's a Certificate that shows ALL the options and engine / chassis numbers etc. That is always good to have , then check the numbers if you have some spare time. Once you have done that ... relax and enjoy the car ... Welcome to the Club!

^ your shop ( and perhaps more importantly ) the OP's shop has to check EVERY connected bit. my shop ( when my tech doesn't do house calls ) has NEVER given me my car back after performing something or other and not have the issue at least pinpointed! and then advising on a course of remedy or repair..if not in fact have it already sorted. if that's the kind of shop you are forced to endure, i pity the fool. one other thing, if EVERY time you don't leave that shop KNOWING more about your car, than you did prior to bringing it in to sort whatever issue brought you back in? you should find another shop. geography permitting. my 02.

Ok, so you've isolated the issue, CD player trying to load disk, should be an easy fix for the local Best Buy or other installer. Getting a baseline PPI would be a good idea, but I will say this no car, I don't care what type is "perfect." And you will at some point you'll have issues, we ALL do. What I would suggest is an oil change, brake fluid flush, and radiator flush. Look, this is your car, you bought it for reasons only you know, and if it has the specs and options you wanted/liked that's good for you, you got what you like, so enjoy your car, mod it if you want doing what you like, bottom line it's your baby, enjoy her. Jim

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Quote: Sure, the internet is helpful and even as a professional technician I often browse the forums for helpful information. However, the internet is no replacement for a professional especially when most owners are not what I would call mechanically inclined. As I mentioned earlier I still suspect the swaybar endlinks. This is very easy to test as you can remove the swaybar endlinks and feel if they are sticky. It is very common that they will start to make noise but if your not convinced you can drive the car with them disconnected. If you want you can just remove the entire swaybar assembly but in the end you will know for sure if something in that system is the source of the noise. At the very least you will be able to eliminate it as a cause and its only an hour or so of labor.

An update of my car. Since I acquire the car a month ago, I have been driving it a lot to work and even bring my kid to school. This is truely a car for daily use. I bought this car at a price of a new accord, and I am surely a lot happier driving it. The only downside yet is the fuel consumption is really bad when stuck in traffic. Thx.

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Quote: i agree fully. it just helps many of us who are novitiates to learn as much as one possibly can as i have found over my MANY years of living, the more you "know" when you do consult with an expert, the less painfully you theoretically get bent over. my first 100k porsche they tried to claim I made 2nd gear pop out and having had FIRSThand prior dealing with PCNA"s obfuscation and lies and generally evasive behaviors that concur usually about the time a major claim against them for damages or repairs is sought, that ANY info you bring levels the playing field. i got much of that info right here. now ( idiot that i am ) i share what i can and am hopefully right more often than a clock. but i still agree with your clarification, and recognize you have more "firsthand" experience in repairing sh*t. but i've gained enough valuable info over the years to fool many a pro and save many ducats in the process! carry on, and cheers.

Fuel consumption??? That is the price you pay to play... It's just a minor nuisance and you can charge it . LOL. No problems then??

Quote: I guess my rant was about my specific "Indy" shop who had a giant Porsche sign out front of their shop but totally messed up my car and the terrific people on this forum helped me fix every issue I had. Sorry to thread jack but I'm having the same creaking issue and I'm sure the average shop would come up with some bull**** diagnosis when all I need is the oem plate. Which, I learned about right here on this forum.

On fuel economy, the 996.1 3.4L should get roughly City13.7 Hwy 27.7 mpg (US gallons). The 996.2 3.6L should get 14.4 City 27.7 Hwy mpg (US gallons). That's not too bad in the grand scheme. You might consider getting the ECU reflashed if the fuel economy bothers you. Worst case, you'll have a much quicker car!