Cayman GT4 - clutch pedal problem
Discussion
My GT4 arrived in April 2016 and after the initial steady driving for the run in period the car was everything I expected. I had done a couple of trackdays at Croft and Anglesea without any issues and with approximately 2.5k on the clock I had and issue with the clutch pedal where while driving up to a roundabout when I went to change down the clutch pedal stayed depressed - stuck on the floor. Luckily the car was in neutral and I was able to move it off the road. Upon inspection on the pedal I pulled hard on the pedal and it returned to the normal (up) position. The pedal then worked normally again and I was able to drive the car home. The incident was reported to Porsche and it was investigated without any real conclusion as to the fault and a bushing on the pivot of the clutch pedal was replaced with harder material. The car has been fine for over a year and a half but the same issue has happened again last week and Porsche have again investigated the mechanism but can find no apparent fault. This is quite alarming as the car does do trackwork and I ask if any other owners have has similar issues ? Any information greatly appreciated.
The issue that I have experienced has nothing specifically to do with track work and my reason for mentioning it is that this problem would be significantly more for a problem if it happened during quick road driving and even more so doing circuit laps at full pace - wouldn't you agree ?
DJMC said:
Me too, in an MG but it was gradual iirc. Pedal down, the clutch would gradually engage.
Would have to be a big fluid bypass to happen so suddenly, like the loss of a seal. But that wouldn't have sorted itself between the first and second occurrences the OP has had?
Mine was an MG too, nice engine that V6. Mine went suddenly and completely to the floor. On two occasions.Would have to be a big fluid bypass to happen so suddenly, like the loss of a seal. But that wouldn't have sorted itself between the first and second occurrences the OP has had?
OP - the risk of it happening on track is obviously a problem. Can you ask an Indie to take a look at it rather than your OPC to get a second opinion?
I too wonder if it might be hydraulic related? After I bought mine (used with 11.5K miles on the clock) I was concerned that the gear shifting was not as good as it should be (friends who own GT4s all tell the gearbox is brilliant). However for me it was particularly difficult to select reverse gear when cold and other gear selections were notchy. Typical signs of clutch drag which is often hydraulic related and usually caused by air in the system.
I was already to book it in to have it checked out but first decided to check the basics i.e. check the fluid level (it had just had a fluid change). All was fine with the level but I noticed a plastic pipe on the side of the reservoir that was not pushed home. So I duly pushed it home. The pipe in question is just a push fit so I doubt that it holds fluid under pressure and there was no sign of fluid leaking from it. It's too low to be an overflow pipe so I presume it's either for fluid return or even a vacuum pipe. I also pumped the clutch pedal a few times with the engine off and checked that gear selection was OK. The result is that the gear shift is now very smooth, I can select reverse with no problems and is as good as every other GT4 owner has told me the gearbox should be.
I was already to book it in to have it checked out but first decided to check the basics i.e. check the fluid level (it had just had a fluid change). All was fine with the level but I noticed a plastic pipe on the side of the reservoir that was not pushed home. So I duly pushed it home. The pipe in question is just a push fit so I doubt that it holds fluid under pressure and there was no sign of fluid leaking from it. It's too low to be an overflow pipe so I presume it's either for fluid return or even a vacuum pipe. I also pumped the clutch pedal a few times with the engine off and checked that gear selection was OK. The result is that the gear shift is now very smooth, I can select reverse with no problems and is as good as every other GT4 owner has told me the gearbox should be.
boxsey said:
I too wonder if it might be hydraulic related? After I bought mine (used with 11.5K miles on the clock) I was concerned that the gear shifting was not as good as it should be (friends who own GT4s all tell the gearbox is brilliant). However for me it was particularly difficult to select reverse gear when cold and other gear selections were notchy. Typical signs of clutch drag which is often hydraulic related and usually caused by air in the system.
I was already to book it in to have it checked out but first decided to check the basics i.e. check the fluid level (it had just had a fluid change). All was fine with the level but I noticed a plastic pipe on the side of the reservoir that was not pushed home. So I duly pushed it home. The pipe in question is just a push fit so I doubt that it holds fluid under pressure and there was no sign of fluid leaking from it. It's too low to be an overflow pipe so I presume it's either for fluid return or even a vacuum pipe. I also pumped the clutch pedal a few times with the engine off and checked that gear selection was OK. The result is that the gear shift is now very smooth, I can select reverse with no problems and is as good as every other GT4 owner has told me the gearbox should be.
Thanks for the response I will definitely look into the possibility for this being the cause or an avenue of investigation.I was already to book it in to have it checked out but first decided to check the basics i.e. check the fluid level (it had just had a fluid change). All was fine with the level but I noticed a plastic pipe on the side of the reservoir that was not pushed home. So I duly pushed it home. The pipe in question is just a push fit so I doubt that it holds fluid under pressure and there was no sign of fluid leaking from it. It's too low to be an overflow pipe so I presume it's either for fluid return or even a vacuum pipe. I also pumped the clutch pedal a few times with the engine off and checked that gear selection was OK. The result is that the gear shift is now very smooth, I can select reverse with no problems and is as good as every other GT4 owner has told me the gearbox should be.
Thanks to all for the replies and I will update when I hopefully get a resolution.
Update - My OPC has now done a full hydraulic bleed and refill of the system and we are back to " see how it goes" response. Not confidence inspiring really ! There is no noticible difference in the operation of clutch pedal or the gear shifting movement to tell the truth ( gear shifting was not part of the original issue)
When it happens, is the clutch dis-engaged?
If it happens again I’d be inclined to leave it stuck and get it recovered. I’d be asking for either all hydraulic components to be replaced or all mechanical components (clutch plate, pressure plate, thrust bearing, actuating arm etc) to be replaced or both.
If it happens again I’d be inclined to leave it stuck and get it recovered. I’d be asking for either all hydraulic components to be replaced or all mechanical components (clutch plate, pressure plate, thrust bearing, actuating arm etc) to be replaced or both.
Both times it happen was pulling up at roundabouts, clutch depressed and changing down from 2nd to 1st. On second occurrence when clutch was depressed 1st and 2nd gear wouldn't engage. I managed to lift the pedal with my toes and then when I depressed the pedal again I could get 1st gear OK. All gear changes after that where normal - very wierd !
OPC already said if possible leave pedal in stuck position if it happens again but easier said than done dependent upon driving situation!
OPC already said if possible leave pedal in stuck position if it happens again but easier said than done dependent upon driving situation!
Since my last post the OPC has flushed the hydraulic clutch system but there has been a re-occurrence of the pedal going flat to the floor and sticking during an upchange from 2nd to 3rd.
My issue is not the clutch pedal "dragging" upon return travel - when it occurs the pedal stays flat to the floor !
I have recently done a trackday without any issues which again is difficult as I'm driving with nervous concern for it happening at high speed in a fast corner ! It is very concerning on a car that was otherwise perfect for the use I purchased it for - trackdays.
Very disappointed in the Porsche support.
My issue is not the clutch pedal "dragging" upon return travel - when it occurs the pedal stays flat to the floor !
I have recently done a trackday without any issues which again is difficult as I'm driving with nervous concern for it happening at high speed in a fast corner ! It is very concerning on a car that was otherwise perfect for the use I purchased it for - trackdays.
Very disappointed in the Porsche support.
ScorpKing said:
Since my last post the OPC has flushed the hydraulic clutch system but there has been a re-occurrence of the pedal going flat to the floor and sticking during an upchange from 2nd to 3rd.
My issue is not the clutch pedal "dragging" upon return travel - when it occurs the pedal stays flat to the floor !
I have recently done a trackday without any issues which again is difficult as I'm driving with nervous concern for it happening at high speed in a fast corner ! It is very concerning on a car that was otherwise perfect for the use I purchased it for - trackdays.
Very disappointed in the Porsche support.
I’d look for a reputable indy near to you....let them have a look and talk you through how the system works... may show up something obvious that you can then directly tell your OPC to look at or you can reward/repay then Indy by having them fix the fault. OPC service depts are not infallible, are under time pressure to complete as many jobs as possible, part of the big machine. Sad but unfortunate for the brand and customers... a good Indy will likely go to every length to prove their salt to you and gain another customer.My issue is not the clutch pedal "dragging" upon return travel - when it occurs the pedal stays flat to the floor !
I have recently done a trackday without any issues which again is difficult as I'm driving with nervous concern for it happening at high speed in a fast corner ! It is very concerning on a car that was otherwise perfect for the use I purchased it for - trackdays.
Very disappointed in the Porsche support.
TDT said:
I’d look for a reputable indy near to you....let them have a look and talk you through how the system works... may show up something obvious that you can then directly tell your OPC to look at or you can reward/repay then Indy by having them fix the fault. OPC service depts are not infallible, are under time pressure to complete as many jobs as possible, part of the big machine. Sad but unfortunate for the brand and customers... a good Indy will likely go to every length to prove their salt to you and gain another customer.
I understand and agree with your comments with respect to independents and through a long association in motorsports I'm very familiar using specialists but the engineer in me feels that the overall Porsche support is not what it should be ! I have asked for the issue to be raised with the head engineering team in Germany and nothing happens - hence the disappointment. There is also the issue of warranty with respect to future support on the car or taking the car to the OPC after someone else "sorts" the issue. The service co-ordinator who is dealing with this is a Porsche race engineer actively working in the Porsche Cup on the BTCC so at the dealer I'm better supported than most - but it still doesn't work. Again my aim is to get better support from Porsche that the car and owners deserve. ScorpKing said:
I understand and agree with your comments with respect to independents and through a long association in motorsports I'm very familiar using specialists but the engineer in me feels that the overall Porsche support is not what it should be ! I have asked for the issue to be raised with the head engineering team in Germany and nothing happens - hence the disappointment. There is also the issue of warranty with respect to future support on the car or taking the car to the OPC after someone else "sorts" the issue. The service co-ordinator who is dealing with this is a Porsche race engineer actively working in the Porsche Cup on the BTCC so at the dealer I'm better supported than most - but it still doesn't work. Again my aim is to get better support from Porsche that the car and owners deserve.
Yep - I get it... i guess my point was to get the evidence and then show the OPC... 'the problem is here - you missed it... fix it and also fix your process - as we all expect better'Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff