Dear Planet-9ers.
First of all, let me introduce myself.
I’m nearly 34 years old, living in Switzerland. In may, a fulfilled an old dream in buying a
Porsche Cayman
in excellent condition. It’s a 2008 model with 48000km on it, and it looks like new. I bought it from an OPC in Switzerland, and it’s covered by a
Porsche
Approved Warranty.
Here are some pictures of it :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lenasylvain/20034033721/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lenasylvain/19406178104/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lenasylvain/19407880953/in/dateposted-public/
Unfortunately, I went into some trouble a few weeks after the purchase, when I noticed sort of a tapping sound coming from the gearbox or clutch. It only happened when the car was warm, clutch pedal depressed, and the car in neutral (it’s a 5 speed manual).
Here’s a video of what that sounded like :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqMpNzwMLYc
Another OPC than the one I bought it from (closer to my place) took the operation under warranty, and it didn’t seem to be an easy fix. They opened the gearbox and changed quite some bearings, washers, spacers, and other parts (I have the list if needed). They even had to change the gearbox’s carter, cause some bearings started turning into it, and grinding the internal structure.
They kept the car for 2 weeks, fortunately for free, and got it back a bit more than 1 week ago.
The problem is : I’m still not that 100% confident in the fix that was applied. 2 things make me doubt.
1 : If you listen carefully, when the car is warm, on idle, and depending on how you release the clutch for me the bad noise is still here. Here’s a video taken yesterday evening, showing how this sounds like :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFUOQUdh0WE
2 : When changing gears while driving, and just after releasing the clutch, the gear stick moves (maybe from 1mm or a little bit less), at the very same moment when I press on the gas pedal after the gear change. This only happens in 2nd, 3rd and 5th gear, not in 1st and 4th. You can feel this movement of you keep a finger on the stick, or see it if you look at it. It's like there's feedback from the engine's or gearbox's movement in the stick.
I have to go back and test drive the car tomorrow morning with the guys at the OPC, but in the meantime, I’d like to have your opinion.
Does that sound normal and am I getting paranoïd after this first serious alert ? Or do you think I’m driving a ticking timebomb ?
After having sold an used Honda Accord with 230000km and only original parts except the brakes, I’m starting to worry about Porsche’s reliability. I hope the dream doesn't turn in a nightmare. If so, I'll buy a japanese car again
.
Thanks in advance for you inputs guys !
Sylvain
My 07
Cayman
makes this ticking noise on rare occasion. My stick moves every so slightly when accelerating heavily but there are no shift issues at all. When I depress the clutch pedal the noise goes away and often does not return. The weird thing is, it did this from brand new off the lot. I had it looked at and no problems were found. I had many user opinions from it is a clutch issue, bearing shaft issue, flywheel, throw out bearing, etc. It does cause concern, but to date, all is well. Some other users have posted about this as well years back with no resolve, one user had the clutch rebuilt and it still did this. I was also told that that the tranny is built by Audi and this is common within that brand. Not sure if that is factual but it was reported here by user that said a dealer told him that after the rebuild. Not sure this is exactly your issue but some food for thought.
Thanks for the feedback Cantrax, much appreciated.
Sounds like you managed to decide not to worry about it anymore.
It's true that there are some threads all over the Internet, but none of them with some kind of solution. Reason why I decided to post here.
All other opinions are of course welcome
Sylvain
Your welcome Sylvain. I would not say I don't worry about it, it is more accurate to say I can't do nothing about it and it seems to be operating fine. I share your concern. Keep me posted if you find out anything on your end and I will do likewise. All the best.
Just to give you a small update : the guys from the
Porsche
Center decided this morning to keep my car for the day, and redo the setting of the shift cables.
I should get the car back tomorrow.
In the meantime, I drive a brand new Audi A3 with DSG gearbox they lended me.
Very good looking and modern car, but the driving pleasure is million miles away from the
Cayman
!
I'll keep you updated.
Sylvain
Thanks Sylvain, let me know how things turn out!
Absolutely.
I think it's all personal, and not everyone's got the same level of sensitivity to little noises or freeplays.
In french you say the equivalent of "freeplay is the soul of mechanics".
The very bad noise you could hear on my first video is definitely gone, so I guess if everything's well I'll just drive it and enjoy.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
I'll keep you posted if anything changes.
Sylvain
Very good my friend! Drive on!
