Hello everyone, new member here.

I test drove a 2004 996TT yesterday, and all was great except this high-pitched whining noise, sort of like the whistle of a teapot or a kettle, that I could hear from the back of the car when driving at low RPMs (like when slowing down to a stop sign). Kind of like this sound, but cleaner and at a constant pitch:


The noise was not audible at idle with the car stationary, only when driving at very low speed and low RPMs. The seller said "it's ok, all 996TTs do that".

Clearly I'd like to figure that out before I fork out the cash. The car will go through a PPI next week and I'll ask the shop to focus on that issue, but I was hoping to get some thoughts from your collective wisdom in the meantime.

 

Does it stop when you engage the clutch? If so, it is most likely the power steering reservoir. It has a faulty valve inside and will whistle when hot.

I believe the part is around $850 and probably a couple hours to replace.

 

Don't believe the seller, What I would do, put the car on lift, engine off, throw it in neutral, and spin the rear wheels, could be bad wheel bearings, tranny bearings? check brake pads, what about if you throw in neutral while coming to a stop sign/lights, does the sound change? If you hear only when at low rpm's. its moving part of course. also check condition of the Serpentine/accessory belt, (easy to replace) maybe one of the bearings is making noise. let Mechanic to focus on that issue. Let us know. yes also power steering reservoir can make that noise , check the fluid level.

 

Thanks - I can't remember if it stopped with the clutch, it might have but not sure. I am positive though that it's coming from the back of the car, is that consistent with the power steering reservoir?

 

Thanks - it's possible that I could only hear it at low RPMs because it was drowned by engine noise at higher RPMs, but when sitting at idle I couldn't hear it.

 

yep, just get the quote from the mechanic and let seller know how much will it cost to fix it. IF everything else checks out ok, go for it

let us know if you have any other questions and good luck

 

Ah, just get a catless mufflerless exhaust and you won't here it anymore

 

cross posting. better than cross dressing i'm guessing hah.

do a "google search" on TSB 4897 the infamous power steering reservoir valve overheating = "whine".

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...reservoir.html

 

So the gory details on the TSB note that this is a valve in the cover of the reservoir. For $800 I'd be interested in fixing what I already have! Does anyone have a good image of the updated cover valve?

 

Thanks, it does sound similar to what I was hearing. I see now that there's a ton of material on this issue, I'll read up. Hopefully it doesn't end up being something else like the guy in that thread...

 

power steering reservoir. Mine does it... nothing bad other than the sound.

 

this is true. never heard of any ancillary issues that result from ignoring the ps res "whine". engage the clutch as others have noted, it goes away. its highly "intermittent" and much less an annoyance than say, 2nd gear popout which can be endured for years, i suppose.

 

if your doing a GT2 clutch cyl conversion surely this will get rid of it as disconnect part of the pump for the clutch !!!!

 

Hi Rick, yeah mine did not sound like that video. I thought it was the power steering reservoir and had it changed, but my whining sound did not go away. My whine was definitely lower in pitch (kinda like a horny cat-haha) and happened at lower rpms. Turned out to be one of the pulleys.

Good luck.

 

woahh. ^^ kinda like a horny cat-haha - lol