Low Gear Noise Concern

[Ssj7blade]

I've done a lot of searching across as many sites as I can find but I don't seem to see anything that addresses my issue. I have an 02, automatic, 2.7L, 107k miles. I've had the car for about 2 years now and taken relatively good care of it. However, recently I've noticed a particularly alarming low pitch whining noise when I accelerate, from 1st gear to 3rd, once I hit 4th gear it's not as prominent (or not there at all from what I can tell). The noise is noticeably worse in the cold, and seems to lessen slightly when the car warms up. I'm about 90% certain it's something relating to my transmission, because I feel it jolts the car when it shifts occasionally, but it's not a particularly bad jolt, just seems a little off compared to the usual. I will most likely take it to my mechanic when I have time, but he doesn't specialize in Porsche by any means so I like to go in with a few educated guesses on what it could be. I'm thinking it might be related to either the gear oil or transmission fluid needing to be changed, but if anyone has any other help it would be greatly appreciated.

Edited October 17, 2011 by Ssj7blade

[RFM]

If there is no error code visible on the scanner tool (PIWIS or similar), changing both the ATF fluid as the transmission oil is always the cheapest way and often effective, i would do that to start with.

[Ssj7blade]

Tomorrow I'm heading down to my mechanic. That's probably what I'll have him do unless he has any other thoughts. I used to get a loud noise on startup when I turned, as if the power steering fluid was low. I can't say I'm overly car savvy but I heard there's a relation between these and my differential. So I'm really hoping it's a fluid issue considering it's been a while since its last maintenance.

[Ssj7blade]

Turned out better than I thought, the tensioner pully and two idler pullies are going bad. Does anyone know a good source for getting the three parts or whether it's better to go OEM or otherwise?

[mcmike27]

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