Symptons of a knackered gearbox - 996TT

[USS Bozeman]

On my 996TT when warm or cold I find that going from 1st to second (not usually 3rd to second) kinda feels a bot "odd"
Difficult to explain but feels a bit notchy and/or sometimes feels like it goes into second with a thump rather than a click (like other gears) almost like the syncromesh is not doing its job.
Sometimes it does it and sometimes not - as mentioned 3rd to second feels fine (slots nicely in) but 1st - 2nd (when pulling away) feels a bit odd.

In terms of function its fine, doesn't pop out of gear or anything like that - it just feels odd enganing 2nd.

Really difficult to convey it in words - but anyone else have this ?

[Merritt]

Used to have this on my GT3 - some cars suffer more than others but is normal. When I had the clutch changed, all the linkages were re-greased and this made it less obvious by was still there. Mine was worse when cold btw.

Steve

[cableguy]

Merritt said:

Used to have this on my GT3 - some cars suffer more than others but is normal. When I had the clutch changed, all the linkages were re-greased and this made it less obvious by was still there. Mine was worse when cold btw.

Steve

First 10-15mins in mine when cold is a little notchy, particularly between 1st & 2nd but soon gets better once the oils upto temp.

C.

[USS Bozeman]

I seem to have noticed it more recently, so perhaps the linkages need a grease, or perhaps the gearbox oil needs a change - it's due a major service in August where I think its done ?

[Merritt]

USS Bozeman said:

I seem to have noticed it more recently, so perhaps the linkages need a grease, or perhaps the gearbox oil needs a change - it's due a major service in August where I think its done ?

You need to check on that because the GT3 gearbox oil service shedule isn't until 90k miles or something equally stooopid. Made worse because the limited slip diff plates fall apart and contaminate the gearbox oil (the LSD and gearbox oil is shared on GT3). Not sure about the TT but as I say double check..

Steve

[Schmalex]

I have this on my Box S. Very noticable when cold, but OK when warm (it still feels a little different from the other gears. Have been advised that all is OK & I am now driving around it.

[USS Bozeman]

Actually another thing I notice. Whenever I start the car, I have the clutch pedal pressed down - have done this for years as its supposed to be more sympathetic to the car when starting it.
From cold / engine off, when depressing the clutch it's quite "heavy" when I press it. As soon as I start the car the clutch goes back to normal.

Is that normal ?

[MogulBoy]

USS Bozeman said:

From cold / engine off, when depressing the clutch it's quite "heavy" when I press it. As soon as I start the car the clutch goes back to normal.

Is that normal ?

I asked a similar question sitting in a 997 Turbo at a motorshow and was told that the clutch pedal is hydraulically assisted and therefore, it is stiff when the engine is off.

[USS Bozeman]

Thanks - one thing less to worry about !

[sportsandclassic]

Hello

Yes the clutch is power assisted so it should have approx 20 pumps on the pedal at a soft feel and then it will become heavier until the engine is started and the pump is allowed to refill the sphere.....

You will not benefit from pressing the clutch when starting the car....

The change from 1st to 2nd gear varies from one car to the next...if you are driving around the problem or concentrating on changing the gear then chances are something is wrong with the gearbox internally.

Just drive the car until it starts to jump out of gear or starts to crunch into gear.

Mike

sports and classic

[gfreeman]

sportsandclassic said:

Hello

You will not benefit from pressing the clutch when starting the car....

Disagree. Virtually every handbook I have read says fully depress the clutch before starting.

Less strain on the starter as you are not dragging the gear chain round.

Now you'll go and quote one that doesn't

[Type 49]

er i thought when you push the clutch pedal down it forces the release bearing against the clutch which to release the centre plate exerts a force on the flywheel which acts against the thrust washers which stops the crankshaft grinding out the block, or to put it another way makes it harder for the starter motor to turn the ring gear which is connected to the flywheel etc.

But i could be mistaken

[sportsandclassic]

I think 997 manual cars need the clutch pedal depressed to actually start...

You can put extra loading on the crank shaft thrust washers especially on cars where the clutches are heavy in operation as this can require more force to press,thus more pressure on thrust washers...and have seen both a boxster and 911 with worn out crankshaft thrust washers...i would not worry about burdening the starter motor as they are very well geared now adays.

They are turning over engines with 500bhp and compressions of 200psi per cylinder dont think a couple of free spinnng gears will make a difference.

Mike

sports and classic

[andyscoobs]

I posted about my gearbox recently. I think the way my gearbox is acting is the same as yours and it is hard to explain. I have only owned it for a couple of weeks now and maybe we just need to get used to it.
Taking mine in for a service on the 2nd Aug and I think I'll get the gearbox oil changed just in case.

Andy

[USS Bozeman]

sportsandclassic said:

Hello

Just drive the car until it starts to jump out of gear or starts to crunch into gear.


sports and classic

Hi Mike - When you say "crunch" is it an audible crunch ? Mine doesn't jump out of gear at all and doesn't have a crunch sound - you feel it more than you hear it.

[chris_w]

USS Bozeman said:

sportsandclassic said:

Hello

Just drive the car until it starts to jump out of gear or starts to crunch into gear.


sports and classic

Hi Mike - When you say "crunch" is it an audible crunch ? Mine doesn't jump out of gear at all and doesn't have a crunch sound - you feel it more than you hear it.

My C2 is exactly the same, gave it to an OPC to test drive and was told everything was ok. Does not jump out of gear but you certainly have to be positive when meaking first to second changes. Not sure if my gearbox is same as TT (seems highly unlikely) but seems to be a common trait among modern Porsches.

[speedyman]

A 944 I used to own had same sort of problem. I got the gearbox oil replaced and it was much better. Gearbox oil is probably the same as when the car was new.

Speedyman

[USS Bozeman]

Anyone know when the gearbox oil should be replaced - I am guessuing at the 4yr/48k mile service (ie the v big one ?)

[Ballcock]

I think it's a fairly common complaint , my C2 was very reluctant to go from first to second when cold , and slightly better once warmed up. I brought it to the OPC's attention and they changed the gear box oil to no avail , and wouldn't consider a fix (under warranty) as it was still doin it's job. I think sports and classic has it in one (as usual!) , keep running it til it's broke good and proper.

Btw , someone once told me that the second cog was made tougher than the others as it was the one most used on track , and this made it naturally more notchy .. Can anyone verify?

[Merritt]

USS Bozeman said:

Anyone know when the gearbox oil should be replaced - I am guessuing at the 4yr/48k mile service (ie the v big one ?)

Nope - its at the 96,000 mile service for all 996 models..

http://www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/default.pdf?...

or 120,000 miles for the 997 turbo:

http://www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/default.pdf?...

Told you it was stooopid.

Steve