C4S rattles

[digmiro]

I'm new to the forum -- I discovered it thankfully in a desperate search for some answers. I don't have much technical knowledge -- any, even the simplest, advice would help me a lot. I'm a new C4s owner (04, 6spd.) frustrated by the rattles in the interior of my car. I see that there have been a number of postings regarding rattles, but none quite cover my problem -- and I am hoping that someone has some experience or expertise with this one --

The rattles -- identical on both sides of the car -- occur at low speeds (up to 30 mph) and sound very much like the rear windows are loose -- a distinct, repeating clicking sound which increases with speed and only occurs when one of the rear wheels -- left or right -- is over the bump. Not to belabor it, but I would also describe the sound as something like a ball bearing hitting metal -- or like one of those kids games where you try to roll a metal ball into a hole. The car has been at the dealership three times with no luck. They have replaced the rear windows, the seat belt retractor and even went into some paneling above the window to see if anything was loose. The shop foreman did the last go-round himself (re-fastening all rear windows with added insulation), claimed the rattle was unfixable and that I should turn up the radio and forget about it. As nice as they were in trying to fix this problem, I refuse to accept this. Why should I be annoyed by anything but the slow car in front of me when driving a Porsche?

I love this car, have been saving up for it for over a year and waiting to get it for three -- perhaps that adds to my frustration and my sensitivity to the problem. So I would really appreciate any advice or help.

Thank you very much,

Doug

Edited November 14, 2004 by digmiro

[Loren]

I don't know where you live but if there is another dealer nearby it sounds like you should give them a try. There are at 4 different TSBs for noise issues in coupe rear windows, rear side windows and side panel trim. IMHO... the dealer should not give up unless they have applied the information (and/or fixes) in all of these TSBs. And then if you still have noises, they should escalate it to PCNA.

[digmiro]

Thank you Loren. I will do so -- excuse my ignorance but do you just take the TSBs to the mechanic? I don't know much about TSBs (or even what they stand for? -- I don't see an explanation on the site -- and in fact I'm having trouble accessing them. ie I see them but can't download them.)

Thanks,

Doug

[bavarian]

I don't know where you live but if there is another dealer nearby it sounds like you should give them a try. There are at 4 different TSBs for noise issues in coupe rear windows, rear side windows and side panel trim. IMHO... the dealer should not give up unless they have applied the information (and/or fixes) in all of these TSBs. And then if you still have noises, they should escalate it to PCNA.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I too own a new C4S. (It happens to be a cab) Do NOT accept your dealer's attitude--they have to fix it, if they can recreate the problem (and it appears they did). There is nothing more annoying than rattles in a car, especially a very expensive, brand new one. When I had a rattle in my convertible top, thankfully this forum had an immediate fix. I hope you get some help from the other members such as Toolpants. I'm sure there is a simple explanation--I would definitely take it up with PCNA. (BTW, I have twice sold 993 Targas because they could not get rid of rattles). Good luck!

[digmiro]

Thank you -- I appreciate your advice. When you had problems with the rattles in your 993 targas did you take it up with PCNA?

Doug

[rattles]

My 99C2 has had more than its share of rattles, fortunately after a lot of work by Porsche Australia and myself most have now been eliminated. Mine had a similar rattle which Porsche traced to the roof tensioners inside the roof lining. On the 99 model I was told by Porsche that they were glued to the roof. The epoxy used was not suitable maybe for our higher temperatures here and they broke away from the roof. Each time the car hit a bump the tensioner would vibrate against the roof.

I too was told by the dealer to turn the radio up, rattles aren't covered by warranty and unbelievably ''we are doing you a favour''. So I contacted PCA directly. To their credit they arranged to get it fixed. The roof lining in my car was removed 5 times, the first 4 by the dealer failed to fix it, the fifth time finally fixed the problem.

If this is your problem you should be able to check by asking someone to sit in the back and press the roof lining while you drive.

Hope this is it, I know how frustrating it is to drive such a great car when it sounds like a $10K import.

[bavarian]

Thank you -- I appreciate your advice.  When you had problems with the rattles in your 993 targas did you take it up with PCNA?

Doug

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not really--in those days I was not aware of the resources we have today, and I was told that the entire roof mechanism would have had to be disassembled, without a guarantee that the rattles would not return at some future date. I finally got disgusted and sold the car. Two years later I traded a 996 coupe for another 993 Targa, and had a similar experience. (Don't ask why I went back to the same model a second time, but the fact that the 996 was a Tip had something to do with it.) My C4S is totally tight and rattle-free, and the best Porsche I'v ever owned (no.8).

[umn]

...

The shop foreman did the last go-round himself (re-fastening all rear windows with added insulation), claimed the rattle was unfixable and that I should turn up the radio and forget about it.

...

Sorry, such a comment is totally unacceptable given the price and supposed quality of the car and should never be made to a customer. I'd escalate this to PCA, naming the dealer and foreman.

Don't worry about TSBs and the like. You're a customer who paid a lot of money and you can expect a rattle-free car. How they do it is their business.

Cheers,

Uwe

Edited November 14, 2004 by umn