997.1 can't engage reverse after recent new clutch and DMF

[Bluesgirl]

Hoping for some wisdom here as I'm a complete numpty re anything car mechanics related.

My 997.1 C2S manual (05 plate, 112k) has recently had a new clutch and DMF fitted by a respected Porsche indy in Sussex. It's done around 600 miles in the 6 weeks since then. Straight away I noticed that reverse was difficult to engage and the issue seemed to be getting worse. Today it refused to engage at all. The forward gears are fine.

Can anyone shed any light on why this might have happened? Having spent £3k getting that work done, I'm dreading what they'll say when I call them about it this week.

[stevieturbo]

The clutch is dragging and reverse has no synchro, hence will be more difficult/crunchy to select.

As to why it is dragging...is another matter. Could need bled, although you do not mention pedal feeling any different. Or there could be a bigger issue.

If you pump the pedal a few times will it select reverse any easier ? ( an indication it may need bled )

[GreenV8S]

Bluesgirl said:

I'm dreading what they'll say when I call them about it this week.

I don't understand why you're dreading calling them. If there's a problem with work they've done you need to let them know so they can fix it.

[Jookeone]

A few weeks ago I had trouble engaging reverse on my 987 Cayman. I think the setup is similar and possibly the same issue for you;

If you pull the little plastic cover out from under the handbrake you should be able to see the x2 gear linkage cables.



One of mine had popped out of its locating guide and was kinking rather than transmitting the force linearly.



I've just grabbed those couple of images from the internet but I hope it helps. I'm also not sure whether this would have been disturbed during clutch replacement but worth a quick check.

[Bluesgirl]

Thanks for the suggestions.

The pedal doesn't feel any different. I didn't try pumping it but will have another look this morning and see whether it's any different on a cold start.

I'm dreading speaking to them because I can't imagine any garage ever admitting they did something wrong. It'll be "bring it to us to check it over", followed by a list of issues and a big bill. Or I might be pleasantly surprised. I'm sceptical, yes.

I'll have a look at the centre console and see if I can see anything that's disconnected.

[GreenV8S]

Bluesgirl said:

I'm dreading speaking to them because I can't imagine any garage ever admitting they did something wrong.

Bluesgirl said:

recently had a new clutch and DMF fitted ... Straight away I noticed that reverse was difficult to engage and the issue seemed to be getting worse. Today it refused to engage at all.

It is obvious that this is closely related to the work they've done and almost certainly caused by it. As long as you make it clear that you consider this part of the same work and keep a constructive attitude when you talk to them, there's no reason to expect them to be obstructive. These things happen from time to time and every garage will be used to that.

On the other hand if a customer goes in with all guns blazing then that discourages the garage from being polite or helpful in return.

[Bluesgirl]

Yeah I get that. I have no intention of going in guns blazing because their service when I went there before was excellent and I will go back to them (subject to how they handle this issue) in future, regardless of the fact they're quite a distance away.

I've rung them and they've asked me to take the car in for them to look at, so we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for the comments so far, much appreciated.