Boxster 986 Clutch won't return - the definitive answer?
Discussion
I've owned this Boxster 3.2S (2000) for 13 years now and its covered around 130,000 miles and has been brilliant. However earlier this year, the clutch pedal starting sticking slightly requiring me to stick my foot underneath it to help it back. This got worse very quickly until it stuck solid to the floor, making the car immobile. After an internet search, I replaced the slave cylinder (utter git of a job due to rubbish access) and it fixed the problem.
Now, a few hundred miles on, its started doing it again. More internet searches reveal this is a known problem but every forum I go on has lots on the problem but I can't see a definitive solution. Its mostly advice with a huge dose of guesswork. Some say its the clutch 'helper' spring, while other reckon its the master cylinder. It could be the pipework going to the slave cylinder or worse case scenario, the clutch itself could be stuffed. At the risk of throwing money in every direction, I'd very much prefer to hear from anyone who has had the problem and has found a definite cure. Of course it may that any of these things could cause the problem in which case its going to start getting expensive and time consuming.
Anyone got any experiences of this?
Now, a few hundred miles on, its started doing it again. More internet searches reveal this is a known problem but every forum I go on has lots on the problem but I can't see a definitive solution. Its mostly advice with a huge dose of guesswork. Some say its the clutch 'helper' spring, while other reckon its the master cylinder. It could be the pipework going to the slave cylinder or worse case scenario, the clutch itself could be stuffed. At the risk of throwing money in every direction, I'd very much prefer to hear from anyone who has had the problem and has found a definite cure. Of course it may that any of these things could cause the problem in which case its going to start getting expensive and time consuming.
Anyone got any experiences of this?
Start with cheap bits.
Remove the helper spring (this actually helps the pedal go down rather than up, but at least it rules it out). No easy to reach and a fair bit of tension.
Then various cylinders and hoses.
Only then would I drop the gear box.
On my 996 it was eventually down to a combination of pressure plate and release bearing. Mine was briefly sticking half way up on release when changing gear at high engine speeds only. Took me and a specialist a lot of time to crack it.
Remove the helper spring (this actually helps the pedal go down rather than up, but at least it rules it out). No easy to reach and a fair bit of tension.
Then various cylinders and hoses.
Only then would I drop the gear box.
On my 996 it was eventually down to a combination of pressure plate and release bearing. Mine was briefly sticking half way up on release when changing gear at high engine speeds only. Took me and a specialist a lot of time to crack it.
Hi Steve
I had this problem with my 944 cabriolet and it was solved by replacing the slave cylinder
Normally you would see a fluid leak but it seems that lifting the pedal seems to mask this.
Try pumping the clutch even if you have to lift it back up and I bet you will see fluid on the ground.
Ed
I had this problem with my 944 cabriolet and it was solved by replacing the slave cylinder
Normally you would see a fluid leak but it seems that lifting the pedal seems to mask this.
Try pumping the clutch even if you have to lift it back up and I bet you will see fluid on the ground.
Ed
An update on this one. After my last post, everything else got in the way and the Porsche remained locked up in my garage until earlier this year. My local garage had a close look at te car and spotted that the flexible pipe that leads from he master cylinder to the slave cylinder, has a pinhole leak. This is letting the tiniest amount of fluid out/tiniest amount of air in, but enough to stop the clutch operating properly.
The simple solution is to replace the pipe but as is often the way, its not as straightforward as that: its part rubber, part metal. The only places I can find this for sale is Design 911 or Porsche GB at a fairly painful (for what it is) £200. If it was a simple flexible hose, it would be £20 or £30's worth. Before I bite the bullet and buy this, has anyone else replaced this part and is there a cheaper alternative?
The simple solution is to replace the pipe but as is often the way, its not as straightforward as that: its part rubber, part metal. The only places I can find this for sale is Design 911 or Porsche GB at a fairly painful (for what it is) £200. If it was a simple flexible hose, it would be £20 or £30's worth. Before I bite the bullet and buy this, has anyone else replaced this part and is there a cheaper alternative?
I get this occasionally on my 996. My car has had a replacement slave cylinder and a replacement clutch pipe in last 24 months and the problem continues. Mine had the genuine Porsche replacement pipe. It could be a simple bleeding problem but I've never investigated myself. I have read a couple of threads where people suggest it's the master cylinder.
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