I went out for some 'spirited' driving in my 2.7 earlier today, when I came back, I noticed that there was an unusual whirring noise when the car was in neutral and the clutch was let out.

I've done some searching and some people say this is normal, some say it might mean I need some clutch work. It is really faint, you can hear the difference but its not incredibly loud. It sounds almost like a fan is running with the clutch is let out, but it definitely stops when I push in the clutch.

Any advice? Is this normal or should I get it checked out ASAP?

There have been a couple of reports of leaves being sucked in the cabin air cleaner. It is fall and the leaves are falling. There is an article on how to replace the cleaner which you could use.

I'll definitely check that out, but wouldn't that mean that the problem occurs all the time, not just when the clutch is let out?

Oddly enough it wasn't doing it this morning. My morning commute is less than a mile though, so its possible it wasn't warmed up enough. I'll give it another go tonight and let it warm up some

You may have been hearing the cooling fans, located behind each radiator. There is also a fan located inside the passenger-side air inlet (right ahead of the rear wheel), used to help cool the engine compartment. The fans only come on as needed, and you may have just noticed them for the first time. The fans are also fairly quiet, so you may not have noticed them before, over the sounds of the engine and transmission.

Well, the noise is hard to describe. I was able to reproduce it again today and went to the back of the car to listen a little better.

It sounded more like a faint scraping, like there was something rotating and lightly grinding against something. From a distance, its faint enough to sound like a whirring or fan, but it isn't.

I've got an early AM appt with HBL in VA tomorrow, so I'm gonna have them check it out.

Please don't forget to report back, even if they tell you it is a user issue.

Yea, I definitely will.

I just dropped her off, my first time having to get it serviced. It was much more emotional than I thought it would be

Well, they said that they were unable to reproduce the noise, but they checked everything and it was fine.

They also told me that a little bit of noise from the TO bearing is normal, so I'm just gonna take their word for it. I'm assuming that if its a problem, it'll get worse (i'm only at 4500 miles) over the next couple thousand miles. I wanted to get the oil changed anyway.

Thanks, I'll let you guys know if it gets any worse.

I've noticed the same thing with my 2.7 and I assumed it was the clutch throw-out bearing. I've noticed it on previous cars I've owned and so I don't think it's an issue to be concerned about. A bit of noise from a TO bearing is normal.

Ok, thanks for the info. Glad i'm not the only one

I wasn't 100% sure whether or not to take the dealers word for it since they couldn't reproduce it, but its relieving to hear someone else having the same problem

My 2.7 currently has 990 miles. I find myself obsessing over every little noise the car makes. I notice every little sound. A few days ago I noticed that when I lock the car my gas tank lever makes a funny sound as it locks. I have to stop listening to all the sounds. . .I am going nuts. I am trying to convince myself that if it’s not supposed to do it, it will get bad enough it’s unquestionable. I still can’t resist reading all the threads and checking my car though. Hopefully this will end- seems like all of us have the same problem.

PS. Does the trunk clunk ever go away- after the “fix”. Mine only does it when I go over larger bumps.

Random question.

Is there supposed to be a plate underneath the engine compartment or is it supposed to be open? It looks like there are clamps for the plate, but there isn't one there and I'm (paranoid) worried that somehow they forgot to put it back on.

I can't remember from the last time I looked underneath the car :/

Borked,

. . .the paranoia continues. I have noticed for some time now that my first gear seems to have a bit of a kink in it sometimes. When in first, clutch fully out, gear engaged, light throttle at 1400rpm the car is accelerating slowly. I notice as it reaches 2300 or so, it seems to have a little jump in speed. This only occurs when accelerating very slowly. Is this typical in all 2.7’s if very light throttle is applied?

Porsches don't enjoy light trottle. Give it some boot and don't ease it around.