993 help needed

[bobjebb]

A problem a mate of mine has with his N reg Targa ... He's asked me for any help with the following:

"When you start from cold, there is the significant sound of "flowing water" behind you on the nearside. I am imagining it's oil mixing with the moving parts (won't be water, as there isn't any). The noise gradually reduces as the car warms up, although even then you can still hear the swishing (water flowing type noise) if you're quiet. I haven't really noticed it before an am wondering whether it is something to worry about?"


Thanks in advance on his behalf

Bob

[JohnW]

Your right, there is no flowing water.

It could be one of two things.

Could be the aircon fluid circulating. Does his car have aircon ?
If so switch off the heating completely (also slide the temp slider right down and turn fan to zero).
Note that there are also a couple of air bypass valves roughly under the passenger seats used to feed hot air to the cabin for heating.

Secondly, it could be the oil tank.Remember that the 993 is effectively dry sumped, and as such there is a large tank in the drivers side rear wheel well. If you open the rear lid and look at the top right you should see the filler cap and the dipstick.
If he is really worried lift the rear lid and start it up. My guess is it is nothing to worry about.

There is no doubt these cars do have a collection of noises all to themselves.

I don't want to worry him, but please ask him if the history shows the engine loom being replaced. There was a recall on these, and it is very important it has been donbe as it has lead to engine fires in some cars. (insulation gets too hot from engine, hardens, then falls off leaving bare wires exposed).
There is a specific loom code to check for, but since you posted before he's not very mechanically minded I doubt he'd find the label. Therefore best he gets it checked by an official dealer if there is no history to say it has been done.

Hope that helps Bob.

Cheers,
John.

[bobjebb]

Thanks John, I'll pass this on.

[Nige_RS4]

I have had a chat with my friends who run a Porsche specialist garage - their response is ;

"The noise will probably be from the oil tank/thermostat area but this is on
the off side (drivers). Its not of concern providing its not too excessive
(which is very difficult to quantify unless you're used to the cars) & the
engine oil temp is ok when driving - ie not too hot or cold. The weak spot
in this area is the thermostat but as yet we've not needed to do one on a
993 although we've done a few on the 964's. It won't be a/c - these use a
gas so there is no audible sloshing noise. Basically if everythings behaving
itself except theres just a noise I wouldn't worry about it but mention it
at the next service and ask the garage to check that the oil in the pipes
around the thermostat is flowing ok (they can do this by feeling the pipes
from cold and as the oil warms up the pipes should gradually all get hot)."

Hope this helps.