wicked vibration through-out entire car

[mach schnell]

So, just got back from Phoenix and had a terrible drive back!

At first I thought maybe it was just the road, but after about 50 miles, I determined, naw it's definitely the car. At any rate, the entire 340 or so mile trip I had this wicked vibration (almost like a stutter) through the entire car- I felt it in the steering wheel, the dead pedal, the floor board and could even see the passenger seat vibrating like crazy (could feel it for sure when I put my hand on the seatback).

Some of you may remember that I posted a thread a while back about a very fine, rapid (almost machine-like) vibration I'd feel in the gas pedal between 3k and 4k rpm's, which the dealer said they couldn't feel. Well, I'm wondering if this little demon has grown into something worse!

I didn't hit anything, didn't run over anything and didn't change anything on the car after arriving in Phoenix. Drive there was perfect - no car-wide vibration and the car actually sat for the day until I came home today.

Of course, first thought is tire out of round or unbalanced, but seems a bit random to just happen!

Any thoughts as to what this entire vibration is? I'll tell you, I felt like I was driving an 82 Camaro and pushing it to go 85mph rather than a Porsche that should feel fluid at 80mph (actually I'd expect the damn thing to feel fluid at 145mph). But I'll tell you, it felt frickin unstable even at 85mph! I'm not too happy right now!!

[TriGem2k]

Originally Posted by mach schnell

So, just got back from Phoenix and had a terrible drive back!

At first I thought maybe it was just the road, but after about 50 miles, I determined, naw it's definitely the car. At any rate, the entire 340 or so mile trip I had this wicked vibration (almost like a stutter) through the entire car- I felt it in the steering wheel, the dead pedal, the floor board and could even see the passenger seat vibrating like crazy (could feel it for sure when I put my hand on the seatback).

Some of you may remember that I posted a thread a while back about a very fine, rapid (almost machine-like) vibration I'd feel in the gas pedal between 3k and 4k rpm's, which the dealer said they couldn't feel. Well, I'm wondering if this little demon has grown into something worse!

I didn't hit anything, didn't run over anything and didn't change anything on the car after arriving in Phoenix. Drive there was perfect - no car-wide vibration and the car actually sat for the day until I came home today.

Of course, first thought is tire out of round or unbalanced, but seems a bit random to just happen!

Any thoughts as to what this entire vibration is? I'll tell you, I felt like I was driving an 82 Camaro and pushing it to go 85mph rather than a Porsche that should feel fluid at 80mph (actually I'd expect the damn thing to feel fluid at 145mph). But I'll tell you, it felt frickin unstable even at 85mph! I'm not too happy right now!!

I get the 3-4k vibration in my car as well. Dealer claims they dont feel anything or its the road.....

I have had 2 set of wheels and maybe 4set of tires and it did it with all of them...Still cant figure it out. MNBoxster suggested it could be an alignment issue which i wouldnt doubt but i havent had the time to take it to get realigned

Do you have any aftermarket suspension work done????Because i do....

[mach schnell]

TriGem - no aftermarket work to the suspension, yet and no wheel spacers. However, this vibration is almost what I'd think would occur with a crappy pair of wheel spacers. So, maybe while my car sat in Phoenix, the crappy wheel spacer fairy came and installed a set of makeshift spacers on my car, unbeknownst to me!

I think I'm gonna start adopting the service/dealer mentality when I see patients -
Patient: I'm bleeding out of my eyes
Doctor: I don't see any blood those are just red tears! Stop your crying! - here's your bill for $1000

Porsche owner: my (expensive, non-domestic, supposedly non-****************ty made) car has this vibration
Porsche Service: I don't feel any vibration - hey, how did my soda get shaken up while I test drove your car - hmmm go figure. Anyway, here's your bill for $2000 and yes, we did charge you $15 per minute for that rental car, which by the way wasn't a Porsche!

[Ronzi]

It's possible you could have lost a balance weight from one of your wheels. This can cause a sudden onset of severe vibration.
It is more common on steel rims that use clamp-on weights, but not unknown on alloys where the weights are attached with an adhesive.

[RandallNeighbour]

I hate to say this, but if you rule out tires or wheels or wheel balancing, you should look at your suspension and motor mounts. That's gonna hurt the wallet, but may be the source of your teeth-rattling vibration.

Keep us posted so we can all learn about what to do when this happens to us!

[mach schnell]

The stuttering nature of the vibration really gave me the sense that it was originating in the suspension or drivetrain, rather than from the wheels/tires. Especially with how unstable the car felt.

I agree with you Randall, that if it is a suspension or motor mount issue that could be high dollar, but as my car is new with only 4000 miles, I'm expecting the cause and repair to be 100% covered by Porsche. If not, I'll gladly drive the car through the showroom window for them! (Anyone remember that old Discount Tire commercial where the old lady throws the tire through the store window?)

I'll stop by the dealership either on Mon or Tues to begin the process of:
Me: there's a vibration
Dealer: no there isn't
Me: Uh, huh
Dealer, na uh
me: uh, huh, stupid
dealer: na, uh, i'm telling you called me stupid
10 minutes later - Fox news - an unidentified man drove off with new 911 from a soCal Porsche dealership and has been spotted driving along southern california freeways yelling - see, this one doesn't vibrate!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TriGem2k]

Originally Posted by mach schnell

The stuttering nature of the vibration really gave me the sense that it was originating in the suspension or drivetrain, rather than from the wheels/tires. Especially with how unstable the car felt.

I agree with you Randall, that if it is a suspension or motor mount issue that could be high dollar, but as my car is new with only 4000 miles, I'm expecting the cause and repair to be 100% covered by Porsche. If not, I'll gladly drive the car through the showroom window for them! (Anyone remember that old Discount Tire commercial where the old lady throws the tire through the store window?)

I'll stop by the dealership either on Mon or Tues to begin the process of:
Me: there's a vibration
Dealer: no there isn't
Me: Uh, huh
Dealer, na uh
me: uh, huh, stupid
dealer: na, uh, i'm telling you called me stupid
10 minutes later - Fox news - an unidentified man drove off with new 911 from a soCal Porsche dealership and has been spotted driving along southern california freeways yelling - see, this one doesn't vibrate!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHA....Let me know how it goes, ive learned to get used to my vibration, luckily it only happens between 3-4k rpms....Mach would be be interested in maybe meeting up this weekend...I'm very courious to see if we both have the same problem...

[mach schnell]

triGem - not sure I can this weekend, but maybe early this week??

[TriGem2k]

Let me know...Shoot me an email at JDemircift@gmail.com

[ralegen]

Originally Posted by mach schnell

I'll stop by the dealership either on Mon or Tues to begin the process of:
Me: there's a vibration
Dealer: no there isn't
Me: Uh, huh
Dealer, na uh
me: uh, huh, stupid
dealer: na, uh, i'm telling you called me stupid
10 minutes later - Fox news - an unidentified man drove off with new 911 from a soCal Porsche dealership and has been spotted driving along southern california freeways yelling - see, this one doesn't vibrate!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL! Mach, keep those scripts coming

[tqtran]

Originally Posted by TriGem2k

ive learned to get used to my vibration, luckily it only happens between 3-4k rpms

Are you guys talking about the vibration that happens due to the dual mass fly wheel, which normally occurs between 3000-4000rpm? Or a different vibration.

[mach schnell]

Originally Posted by tqtran

Are you guys talking about the vibration that happens due to the dual mass fly wheel, which normally occurs between 3000-4000rpm? Or a different vibration.

tqtran how and where would you describe that vibration?

[tqtran]

The vibration is felt everywhere, almost like the car is falling apart.
But, it is usually only felt when cruising or dropping in rpms/slowing down. It is almost never felt when accelerating because you get past the "weak spot" (around 3200rpm) so fast you wouldn't even notice it.

[mach schnell]

can anyone else confirm this (especially my 987 brethren out there)? This crazy-ass, my car is falling apart, I wouldn't run this on a straightline, all over vibration is NORMAL? Wait, I thought I bought a Porsche - fine, german engineering????

Is there a hidden badge on the car that actually identifies it as being constructed in Tijuana???

A friend with an A4 had a similar kind of all over vibration and it turned out the be an ignition coil problem - something Audi ended up doing a recall for? Thoughts? I mean, is Porsche sending up a smoke screen because they're not sure why this happens? BruceLee - any of the 911's you have demonstrate a similar phenomenon???

to the dealer tomorrow - keep your eyes posted on Fox news (OJ got nothing on me!)

[tqtran]

From another thread:

There's an issue in the 3000-3300 RPM range with the dual-mass flywheel that's standard on the Boxster. I feel it all the time, mostly in the seat. Mine started a few months ago. The problem is similar to a warped rotor, but since the flywheel moves so much faster it's a vibration you feel rather than a shaking like you would get from a brake rotor. The range widens over time and mileage.

[KRZTACO]

Sounds like its time to upgrade to a Sachs lightweight flywheel and performance clutch.

KRZ

[mach schnell]

yeah - if i'm replacing anything in this new car because it has to be, rather than because I want to for peformance gains, aesthetics, etc - than by golly I'll replace the car!

On the other hand, if this were a 75k mileage car or a 5+ yr old car that required a new clutch and flywheel because of normal wear and tear, my stance would be a lil different. But, crap - 4000 miles on a car that's supposed to be better than the domestics and asian imports and already has a rattle and hum (not courtesy of U2) that makes me think, hmmm road trip this weekend - yeah, maybe we'll take the wife's subaru!!!!

[SD987]

It sounds like a classic case of either demonic possession or aliens attempting to communicate with you via your Boxster. If the Boxster starts spinning around on it's mid-engine axis or you get the uncontrollable urge to mold your mashed potatoes into Devil's Tower, you'll know which for sure.

Glad I could help.

[mach schnell]

sd- in fact, just the other day, I began shoveling trash and dirt into my kitchen window after I swore the boxster moved it's front trunk up and down and in not so feminine voice - urged me to build it...

my wife promptly said that she wasn't terri garr and to immediately get the dirt the f*(& out of the kitchen!!!

What about the vibration issue with the faulty oil relief valve? There is a TSB out on this. Looks like an easy fix too. Go look over on the RennTech site for more details. Loren there had a good post with the engine numbers involved on some specific 2005's.