997.1 Won't engage any gear

[Fireblade007]

My 997.1 which I've owned since new has developed a fault with engaging gears. It happened when I reversed out of my driveway as usual. When I reached the road and tried to engage first gear it would not do so. The clutch pedal also felt different too, lighter with a slight vibration to it. I pushed it to the side of the road then went online to see if this has happened to other 997 owners.
I then came back to pump the clutch a few times and was able to engage all the gears including reverse with the engine off only. I suspect it could be an air hydraulic issue, and would,d be very interested to find out if this has occurred to other 997 owners.
My car has only 36000 miles with full service history and I baby the clutch and never give it any abuse. The car has been faultless since I took delivery in August 2006. I hope someone can shed some light before I have my porsche dealer have a look. I did have the extended warranty till it's 15th year and then they wouldn't extend it any further. If it's a clutch fault then it wouldn't have been covered any way. Sods law that as soon as I don't have the warranty anymore something goes wrong!

[nebpor]

Sounds suspiciously like the clutch slave cylinder when it went on my 996TT - the mechanism is different between both cars (the turbos have a power assisted clutch), but the symptoms are very similar.

I'm not sure how to tell if it's master or slave on N/A car, but on the turbo, the master cylinder reservoir is under the front scuttle - when the slave fails it normally pushes the fluid out of that front reservoir and you might get a tell tale leak near the front nearside wheel. It will be a quick job to take the plastic cover off under the bonnet and see what the clutch fluid level looks like.

Easier overall repair on an N/A car than on a turbo anyway I think, the turbo has an accumulator and getting to it for replacement led to much cursing from my specialist!!

Edited by nebpor on Monday 21st February 12:01

[Fireblade007]

Thanks for your reply. I think it's the same problem as suffered by you. So looks like I will have to get some quotes. I've always gone down the main dealer for all my servicing. But I'm thinking maybe a good independent might be the way to go. Replace the clutch too while the gearbox is out perhaps.
How was yours resolved?

[nebpor]

I took it to an indie in Scotland to do - was about a grand all in (750 parts - 550 slave, 200 accumulator - no accumulator on yours), good few hours to fit) but as I say the turbo is more complex so might be a bit easier!

It’s external to the gearbox so no need to do the clutch at the same time - it would be different if the gearbox had to come out it’s done on the ramp from underneath