Boxster S Tranny Rattle

[RichardC]

I recently purchased a 2002 Boxster S with the 6 speed. There is a distinct rattle that might easily be mistaken for exhaust/heat shield, etc. but is clearly related to the tranny or clutch. The rattle occurs ONLY at idle in neutral with and disappears when the clutch pedal is depressed, the revs are increased or the car is put in gear. My mechanic is at a loss and is reluctant to pull a tranny without a more definitive diagnosis. So am I.

Any ideas?

Rich C.

[eshuber]

Has there been any clutch work done? This is sounds like a rattle you could get with a single-mass flywheel. If it is , its nothing to worry about unless the noise bothers you.

[fasterjames]

My semi-edumacated guess would be the Throw Out Bearing or Pressure Plate. Did your tech rule these out? Good luck to you.

[RichardC]

It's been a while, but I didn't have anything to report until just now. I decided to pull the tranny just to see if it was the T/O bearing or what. I figured it would at least be a chance to replace the notorious rear seal. Lo and behold, the car has an aftermarket single mass flywheel so the diagnosis by eshuber appears to be right on. While I'm in there I'm going to replace the clutch and T/O bearing anyway. I'm not sure whether to be trilled that it was nothing serious or PO'd that I tore out the tranny. Money well spent to replace the seal and give myself the new clutch. Many thanks.