The growling noise that was diagnosed as the power steering pump{$2500 parts and labor} turned out to be a pulley bearing for the serpentine belt. Part cost $200 plus a couple hours labor. Wish my tech had spent a little more time researching this before changing the PS pump. Anyway, mistakes happen, and my tech has taken responsibility for the screw up. He refunded my labor, and gave me the choice to replace the old pump for free, or leave in the 997 updated parts for the wholesale price, which I decided to do. So I'm out the $1400 for parts, but it's upgraded, and my tech has proved himself to be honest and responsible, both a plus for our future relationship.

Guys, beware of this growling rpm related noise and ask for a thorough diagnosis before changing anything.

 

Not good to be out the money and a shame that sloppy work was done in the first place. But good to here that the shop was big enough to admit it and man up with multiple choices on how to correct this problem.

 

Very good resolution, given the situation. The Relationship is worth quite a bit....

A

 

Thanks for the data....filed away!

Jeff

 

I just had this issue at 92,000 miles. The first thing they did was disconnect the belt and spin everything. I went in telling them I thought it was the alternator...and they came back with better news. Local Porsche Dealership.

 

Larry -

Glad that it was resolved, and that seems to be as good a resolution as you could have gotten. Now, let's see how he does with your new suspension!

Jon

 

This bizarrely parallels my power steering issue last month. in addition to replacing the pump my guy figured that idle pulley bearing was on it's last legs and replaced that as well. i trust my shop actually but it's curious nevertheless.

 

The sound fooled a couple of local knowledgeable Porsche people who also said power steering pump. Unfortunately I think you were caught in this also "diveganesh". Your tech probably made the same misdiagnoses and covered his tracks with the real problem fix before you could see what happened. Same cover up might have happened to me if I hadn't been standing there after the pump was changed and I could hear that the sound was the same as before. Hope I'm wrong for your sake.

 

wow, seem like that would be first thing to check. good to hear you have resolved it.

I just changed out my ps resovoir last week. fun times.

 

Have the same noise on my 2003 Turbo. Len Stoler mechanic said power steering pump. Valley Motors guy said pully bearing. Heard the noise on your car at Summit Point last month but didn't get by to talk to you about it. Any idea of the part number so I can order a new one?

 

Sorry, I'll have to get it from my tech when I go down to pick up the car on Friday. The pulley is on the right side of the engine near the PS pump, but behind the airbox. With the airbox on, it sounds like the noise is coming from the PS pump. Change the pulley first, if that doesn't eliminate the noise, then you'll have to spend the money for the pump. Sounds like the Valley Motors guy either did his homework and diagnosed this correctly, or maybe he's seen someone else change the PS pump and not eliminate the noise.

Which color turbo were you? There were a few around that weekend.

 

FWIW my guy said that they replaced the bearing rather than swap out the entire pulley, the part number on my invoice is 996 115 015 75 (which from pelican is the "Drive Belt Idle Roller $147), however since he replaced only the bearing i was charged $46.

 

You still had to pay for the pump and labor which probably didn't need to be changed. Sorry, but since I got burnt on this, I find it hard to believe. Sorry it happened to you also.

 

agreed, though i guess i'll never really know. sigh. perhaps someone on this forum down the road with a similar issue will find this thread and it'll be of help.

 

I hope you are right, because it's a costly mistake to have to pay for.