987.S, 3.4 Manual: Intermittent Acceleration

[HappyBoxster]

Looks like I need to arrange a trip to the OPC (car under warranty) but before I do I thought I’d post my problem here to see if some kind soul can give me some pointers. When it comes to cars I’m not overly technically minded but I would like to be able to give the OPC information in a language that they might understand to help identify/locate the problem, especially if it doesnt repeat itself on a test drive.

Basically, I've noticed the car feeling a little sluggish recently so I took the car out last night on two 20min blasts and I noticed a distinct lag of acceleration, albeit only intermittently. Three examples, in which I was accelerating hard but not flat on the floor, that occurred:

- Accelerating in 3rd gear to about 6,000 rpm. Change into 4th, revs drop to circa 4,000 and I continue to accelerate. Or at least, I press the accelerator pedal and the revs increase through to circa 6,000 with noise but without the feel of actual acceleration. Then, the engine ‘kicks-in’ the revs drop immediately to circa 4,500 and we accelerate as normal.
- Accelerating in 3rd gear to about 6,000 rpm from about 2,000. Acceleration is okay until around 3-4,000 revs and then there is a soft but noticeable jolt/pull as if the engine suddenly wakes up. It wasn’t a harsh jolt but not dissimilar to what you would expect to feel in a PDK if it drops down a gear.
- Accelerating in 3rd gear and the rev counter appeared to stick at 3,500 revs for what must have only been a fraction of a second but then it suddenly (not a smooth progression) flicked up to 4,000+

There are other examples but hopefully this gives a flavour. There were certainly numerous times when it accelerated as one would expect and there wasn’t one single issue that I noticed repeating itself.

Thanks in advance for any and all help

[ianwayne]

I don't want to sound insulting, but it's not simply the clutch slipping is it? Your first description of the engine 'kicking in' could be the clutch finally biting.

[HappyBoxster]

That's not insulting at all. My initial reaction was that it was the clutch sticking or failing to release but I'm not confident enough to assume that my limited knowledge is correct because there is a lot more stuff under the hood that I dont understand than I do.

[deggles]

First one definitely sounds like clutch slipping, although not sure on the other two.

I take it there’s no engine warning light or noticeable misfire? Not sure what age your car is but ignition coils are prone to cracking on 987s which can cause (temporary) loss of one or more cylinders. I think that would be more noticeable than the symptoms you describe though!

Hope you get it sorted.

[HappyBoxster]

I've booked it in at Wilmslow OPC for next Tuesday because I wanted to wait for a courtsey car.

It will be interesting to see if I come out of this a warranty winner (a part that is covered) or a warranty loser (paying over the odds to aviod invalidating a potential future claim). This seems like a game with high stakes.

[BillTheButcher]

They certainly sound like the symptoms of a slipping clutch.

If you change into a relatively high gear (e.g. 5th at 30 MPH) and accelerate do the revs flare without any actual acceleration?

[HappyBoxster]

If it ever stops raining I'll take it out and try this.

[HappyBoxster]

I took the car to the OPC today and went out with the Technician. Before we even left the lot he identified the clutch as needing replacing. They are going to strip the part out of the car (4hrs labour) to be sure before replacing.

Assuming a part hasn’t failed (unlikely) then this will cease to be a warranty issue and become my issue. Approx cost quoted was £1,500 plus another £1,000 if the fly wheel has gone.

Given that I only purchased the car 6mths ago and that I have covered just 1,500 miles I am expecting Bournemouth OPC to pick up this cost. Should I hold my breath?

[edc]

HappyBoxster said:

I took the car to the OPC today and went out with the Technician. Before we even left the lot he identified the clutch as needing replacing. They are going to strip the part out of the car (4hrs labour) to be sure before replacing.

Assuming a part hasn’t failed (unlikely) then this will cease to be a warranty issue and become my issue. Approx cost quoted was £1,500 plus another £1,000 if the fly wheel has gone.

Given that I only purchased the car 6mths ago and that I have covered just 1,500 miles I am expecting Bournemouth OPC to pick up this cost. Should I hold my breath?

Much much cheaper at an Indy. Have a look here at an example price or less than a third what you have been quoted http://www.revolution-porsche.co.uk/special-offers...

[HappyBoxster]

Ideally though I dont want to invalidate the warranty.

[Trev450]

If the opc has diagnosed the clutch as slipping and have confirmed it is covered under the warranty, then it should be relatively straight forward. If, however, there is any doubt, I would go down the indy route as suggested before you get you wallet raped.

[edc]

If the clutch is not covered by the warranty when are they ever going to look at the clutch to even think about invalidating a warranty? Most Indys will be able to get an OE clutch anyway from the same manufacturer.

[HappyBoxster]

I called a couple of Indy's and for genuine parts I am looking at just over £1,000.

I'm no slave to the warranty when it comes to brake pads, tyres etc. but I am assuming that a whole new clutch is perhaps a stretch too far. This is based on my assumption that although cast the same the parts would look different to the naked eye and especially a trained technician if they ever have to go rooting around in the engine bay.

Using non-Porsche parts will halve the Indy's quote.

[jakesmith]

Why do you think the OPC will know that the clutch has even been changed, let alone by an indy. Take it somewhere competent and they'll do the same job as OPC with genuine parts
Don't drive the car any further than you have to if the clutch is going, that's how the flywheel gets damaged which is more $$$ to replace, keep revs as low as possible & pulla way gently so clutch doesn't overheat
Also your other issues don't sound like clutch to me but more like coil packs or MAF. I've had a few coil issues and they always seemed to happen in rain & bad / cold weather, might be a coincidence
I would honestly take it to the best indy nearby (others can advise who that is) who should diagnose it for you for free, and go from there, don't assume it's X Y or Z and spend money changing parts or on stripdown unless you have to

[edc]

HappyBoxster said:

I called a couple of Indy's and for genuine parts I am looking at just over £1,000.

I'm no slave to the warranty when it comes to brake pads, tyres etc. but I am assuming that a whole new clutch is perhaps a stretch too far. This is based on my assumption that although cast the same the parts would look different to the naked eye and especially a trained technician if they ever have to go rooting around in the engine bay.

Using non-Porsche parts will halve the Indy's quote.

You do know that when you go rooting round the engine bay that the engine and gearbox are going to be major obstacles to actually seeing the clutch at all? Pads easy, tyres easy as they have visible markings and are so easily accessible.

[HappyBoxster]

jakesmith said:

Why do you think the OPC will know that the clutch has even been changed, let alone by an indy.

Because my tecnhical knowledge is close to zero

My assumption was that the clutch is housed inside a metal casing and that they would replace said casing when changing the actual clutch. Furthermore, I thought that this part would be visible.

Are we just talking about replacing the clutch plates deep within the engine while using the existing housing?

[jakesmith]

It's not like a laptop where you have to break a seal to open up / work on the car, it's a matter of taking off nuts & bolts and replacing parts. Take it somewhere good and they'll do it just the same / better than OPC and leave no trace. I certainly wouldn't entertain £2.5k for a clutch & flywheel for a Boxster. Should be closer to £1k esecially of you don't damage the flywheel. Where are you in the country, people on here should be able to recommend good indys, there's one called Hartech in the North that's well rated

[HappyBoxster]

I'm Prestbury, Cheshire. There are two near me that come recommended:

Sports and Classic in Knutsford
JMH in Cheadle Hulme

The former is only 8 miles from the Wilmslow OPC so that is where I will most likely be heading if I can't get Bournemouth OPC to cover a considerable part of the expense.

[jakesmith]

Sports & Classic get a good write-up on here
The thing I look for in an indi is somewhere that doesn't have any type of receptionist, when I phone up I speak directly to the tech who works on my car. You can run these cars very economically if you just do things that actually need to be done

[HappyBoxster]

Update/Conclusion:

The clutch was worn which also damaged the Fly Wheel. Both are being replaced and the cost is being taken care of by Bournemouth OPC as it is not a warranty issue.

Even if Bournemouth got a discount on labour and parts from Wilmslow (different networks) this will still be a sizable bill and they took ownership without push back or any request for a contribution. They even apologised for not picking it up on the 111 check.

Good news for me, and lots of brownie points for them.

Edited by HappyBoxster on Saturday 30th August 13:50