Rattling when taking off in reverse or 1st

[BoxyLady]

Hi folks,

New member here. Just got our '02 S last week, and it was Porsche certified. When we test drove it, I noticed a rattle in the rear when moving from a dead stop in 1st or reverse. it does not do it if you give more throttle when letting out the clutch.

I just thought it was a heat shield on the muffler rattling. Now I am not so sure.

Might be a driveline issue of some sort? We took the car on a VERY spirited road tour this weekend in the country with lot's of twisties. Man was a rush. No problems at all, so this is only a problem from a dead stop.

Before I have the dealer examine this(how could the car get certified with that noise), I am wondering if anyone has had this issue before and what was it? It goes away after you pull away in 1st, and never occurs again while moving through the gears, until you stop again. In reverse, it's pretty much constant unless you give it heavy throttle(around 2500 rpm or so)

thanks!

Edited October 17, 2005 by BoxyLady

[boxs2000]

I have the same rattles anybody know what it is? I too thougt it may be a heat shield of some sort because that is what it sounds like. I was even hoping it was the exhaust (so I can get an aftermarket : ) any ideas what it is???

[kdy2001uk]

I have the same problem and was told it is the Cats. You can get them replaced for 600 pounds or get someone to weld the cats back on securely.

[BoxyLady]

I have the same problem and was told it is the Cats.  You can get them replaced for 600 pounds or get someone to weld the cats back on securely.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting. that could explain why I only hear it once the car is warm. On initial startup, there is no noise in 1st or reverse at all.

I would assume this would be covered under the 48/50 warranty?

[adsach]

CATs should be covered under warrantee. My 02S does not make this sound, but is now at 51K miles.

The Boxster isn't prone to heat shield rattles - the heat shield above the muffler is like a blanket of insulation with an aluminum 'skin' on the muffler side. Even if the heat blanket were loose, it would thud rather than rattle.

There are some sleeve clamps between the CATS and the muffler than could rattle, but you would also be hearing a major exhaust leak if they started to rattle.

I would suspect an internal loose CAT or muffler part before an external loose part.

[djantlive]

If it were exhaust, wouldn't the noise go away when the car is warm since metal expand the parts that are loose and minimize rattling?

This is the long shot but I assume you don't have plates yet. If you do, remove it and the bracket to see if that's causing it.

[Stefan]

The Boxster heat shields _are_ prone to rattling. The bolts and clips that hold the heat shields on corrode over time, leaving the heat shields only partially attached.

I have found that this is a common source of rattles.

Also, (at least in the US) the Cats should still be under warranty even for the earliest Boxsters. They are covered for 10 years.

[BoxyLady]

The Boxster heat shields _are_ prone to rattling.  The bolts and clips that hold the heat shields on corrode over time, leaving the heat shields only partially attached.

I have found that this is a common source of rattles.

Also, (at least in the US) the Cats should still be under warranty even for the earliest Boxsters.  They are covered for 10 years.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thanks folks, I take the car back to the dealer Wednesday. I'm not concerned(should I be?) that I'm going to have to cover any of this myself. The car has 27k miles, still under the original warranty, plus it was Porsche Certified. If they give me any static, my next step would be to contact Porsche NA and ask how a dealer could certify a car with this rattle in the rear. If you don't give it plenty of throttle, especially in reverse, it's very noticable, bordering on embarassing.

Of course, if the certification process does not require actually driving the car, they may not have heard it since it only does it after the car is warmed up.

Also, the front wheels are definitely out of balance-any speed above 70 gives you a good steering wheel shake. The salesman also noticed it, but that got through the certification process also.

Got to tell you folks, this is my first REALLY expensive car, and thus far, I'm not impressed with Porsche service. Maybe the problem is that the same people who certified my Porsche might have worked for a Chevrolet dealer the week before??? As much as these cars cost I would think Porsche could bring over folks from Stuttgart on a rotating basis to the U.S. to ensure the service is done right :)

[djantlive]

Sorry to hear about your experience. If there is another dealer, try another. I have found nothing but excellent service from my dealers. Perhaps have 5-6 in the 50mi radius is their motivation to be great.

Balancing is easy. Rattle can be fixed. Certified cars aren't new by far. You are basically buying a warranty and an inspection (not extensive in any CPO program regardless of car make)

Any P dealer can honor your ext warranty from Porsche. Don't let one bad shop ruin your ownership experience.

[adsach]

The Boxster heat shields _are_ prone to rattling.  The bolts and clips that hold the heat shields on corrode over time, leaving the heat shields only partially attached.

I have found that this is a common source of rattles.

Also, (at least in the US) the Cats should still be under warranty even for the earliest Boxsters.  They are covered for 10 years.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Stefan - not to challenge your knowledge, but to increase mine. I can't picture which heat shields are close to metal parts and could rattle. Do you agree that the big blanket over the muffler doesn't rattle? My car is an 02S.