Anyone had their PDK clutches changed?
Discussion
Output Flange said:
That's interesting - thanks.
So as with all things "designed for life", the box will need changing at around 100k, right?
Ha! Very cynical, but probably not far wide of the mark - albeit there's been no anecdotal evidence yet of PDK 'box or PDK clutch failures.So as with all things "designed for life", the box will need changing at around 100k, right?
However, as the potential cost of a PDK 'box replacement could make M96/7 engine rebuilds look like a bargain (unless Porsche comes-up with some kind of exchange scheme) I hope these fears prove unfounded.
MadMark911 said:
Trev450 said:
No its a Porsche so anytime after the warranty runs out!! 
Unless the ECU tells them that you've used the Launch Control too much and therefore it's not covered!What are we betting on - £5K Exchange or £10K for a new box, fitted?
MadMark911 said:
Unless the ECU tells them that you've used the Launch Control too much and therefore it's not covered!
What are we betting on - £5K Exchange or £10K for a new box, fitted?
There was some chat on US forums about a new PDK 'box being approx $15000. I've no idea if it was accurate, but if it is, then £10-12,000 seems about right (as everything Porsche over here seems to be a lot more expensive than over there). I'm assuming (dangerous, I know) this hypothetical cost excludes fitting, re-programming etc.What are we betting on - £5K Exchange or £10K for a new box, fitted?
Captain James T said:
I was told the design life was over 200,000 miles... Time will tell!
200000 road miles presumably. Where it gets really interesting is when people start putting a lot of track miles on them though. Someone is surely going to get through one of these in less than 50000 miles while still in warranty? How will Porsche treat it I wonder??
Output Flange said:
Just curious really, has anyone had the clutches changed on their PDK box? If so, how long did they last, and how much did it cost?
Since my next car will likely have PDK I have been keeping an ear to the ground for any news of problems with the PDK and so far have not come across any problems related to the clutches wearing out.A few PDK's have been replaced under warranty but most often the failure appears to be something electronic or hydraulic not mechanical like in this context a worn out/slipping clutch.
As others have mentioned they are wet, run in a hydraulic oil bath and they are multi-plate too. Lots and lots of surface area.
My experience with motorcycle clutches wet/multiplate is they last and last and last.
In the case of a PDK the clutch engagement is controlled by a computer. No ham footed human excessively slipping the clutch or otherwise abusing it.
Let's see: Extra surface area. Cooler operation arising from the wet design. The human operator eliminated from the equation. I do not think you have anything to fear regarding PDK clutch longevity, or PDK longevity in general.
All I would suggest is to give your car's PDK a leg up on a long and trouble free service life is for you to consider an "early" PDK fluid/filter service electing to have this done at say 2/3rds or even at 1/2 the miles the owner manual or dealer service schedule calls out.
Rockster said:
A few PDK's have been replaced under warranty but most often the failure appears to be something electronic or hydraulic not mechanical like in this context a worn out/slipping clutch.
Mine decided that every alternate time you started the car, it would refuse to engage any gear. From reading around on the 'net, it seemed to be a fairly common complaint if the last action the car does is to reverse uphill - and my driveway means it has to reverse 15' uphill, on gravel.Since a software update/reset it seems to be fine, although I still get the odd occassion where I'll start it, put it into 'D' and it'll just go clonk a few times before it will move - that's only after having sat overnight, mind.
Extract from Porsche information pack concering 991 turbo:
"Further development of the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission plays a significant part in the 911 Turbo models’ performance and fuel economy improvements. Porsche engineers supplemented the seven primary driving gears with virtual intermediate gears that further improve fuel economy and comfort. The virtual intermediate gears reduce engine speed during constant speed cruising when the next higher gear would reduce engine too much. This function is achieved by partially engaging two adjacent gears simultaneously while slipping both clutches slightly to achieve an effective gear ratio in-between them. When acceleration is called for, the Doppelkupplung rapidly exits this mode and downshifts. Since the PDK employs dual wet clutches (oil-bathed), the virtual intermediate gear
function results in no added wear."
"Further development of the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission plays a significant part in the 911 Turbo models’ performance and fuel economy improvements. Porsche engineers supplemented the seven primary driving gears with virtual intermediate gears that further improve fuel economy and comfort. The virtual intermediate gears reduce engine speed during constant speed cruising when the next higher gear would reduce engine too much. This function is achieved by partially engaging two adjacent gears simultaneously while slipping both clutches slightly to achieve an effective gear ratio in-between them. When acceleration is called for, the Doppelkupplung rapidly exits this mode and downshifts. Since the PDK employs dual wet clutches (oil-bathed), the virtual intermediate gear
function results in no added wear."
Hello
I have a Cayman 987 2011 with 58K miles on it, newly purchased from dealer RSJ Sports Cars in Slough and still on full warranty. I've been driving it hard ever since and on Saturday I experienced clutch slipping + warning flashed up 'reduced engine power'. I just dropped off at RSJ now and talked to Chris there. Contrary to my fears, he assured me 'the pdk gearbox is bulletproof' and they'd never had to send a pdk away (back to Porsche for repair/replacement) ever. He was totally confident what went wrong on Sat - though scary at time - was minor - recalibration of something, replacement of something else . . . I'm not technical so didn't really take in details.
I will update when I hear from RSJ.
Having read up online about slipping clutches yesterday, I was beginning to imagine I'd been very foolish to buy a 10-year-old Porsche with 58K miles on it and 5 previous owners, or assume I could drive such a vehicle hard and go on track days in it. I also put these fears to Chris. He assured me I could do both, that this is what the car is made for. It is not too old. Several owners are tracking Porsches must older than mine.
Right now I am very happy at this statement 'PDKs are bulletproof.'
I have a Cayman 987 2011 with 58K miles on it, newly purchased from dealer RSJ Sports Cars in Slough and still on full warranty. I've been driving it hard ever since and on Saturday I experienced clutch slipping + warning flashed up 'reduced engine power'. I just dropped off at RSJ now and talked to Chris there. Contrary to my fears, he assured me 'the pdk gearbox is bulletproof' and they'd never had to send a pdk away (back to Porsche for repair/replacement) ever. He was totally confident what went wrong on Sat - though scary at time - was minor - recalibration of something, replacement of something else . . . I'm not technical so didn't really take in details.
I will update when I hear from RSJ.
Having read up online about slipping clutches yesterday, I was beginning to imagine I'd been very foolish to buy a 10-year-old Porsche with 58K miles on it and 5 previous owners, or assume I could drive such a vehicle hard and go on track days in it. I also put these fears to Chris. He assured me I could do both, that this is what the car is made for. It is not too old. Several owners are tracking Porsches must older than mine.
Right now I am very happy at this statement 'PDKs are bulletproof.'
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