2007 3.4 Boxster clutch issue.

[JW1]

Hi All,

I have owned the car for 2 months and have covered 3k miles (now 36k on the clock) as a daily means of transport. Just after I purchased the car a local reputable independent garage said that the clutch was heavier than normal and would probably require changing in 3-6 months time. Today when driving the car I found it really difficult to change gear, bordering on impossible at times, especially first and reverse. My local garage had a quick look at the car, moved the gear lever back and forwards a number of times and all of a sudden the gears are engaging again and all seems fine when driving. The mechanic said that it could have been a sticking cable. Has anyone had a similar experience, is it possible that something within the clutch itself was sticking/malfunctioning and it is very likely to repeat itself?
The mechanic has booked me in for a clutch replacement, I am wondering if this is going to resolve the problem if the cause is clutch cable related. The car had one lady owner prior to me and looks to have been well looked after.

[catman]

If the clutch is cable operated, then surely the thing to do would be to replace the cable? This would be far cheaper than replacing the entire clutch.

In any case, replacing the clutch when it's the cable at fault wouldn't help. Are you sure that the clutch is cable and not hydraulic?

The gearchange itself could be cable operated too.

Tim

[JW1]

Thanks Tim, maybe it was the gear change cable that caused the issue. I think I will do the clutch stall test and go from there.

[catman]

Hi, if it is the clutch causing problems, then you're getting clutch drag and not clutch slip.

I don't see how the stall test will help you.

Tim

[chrissmith2097]

Sounds like clutch operation not the clutch itself. AFAIK its a hydralic clutch, cable is for cheaper cars. I'd be looking at master/slave cylinder and or fluid.

[JW1]

Hi Catman,
I have driven the car again today and the gearbox and clutch appear to be working fine, barring the clutch being a little heavy, I tried to stall the car by engaging reverse with handbrake on and lifting my foot slowly off the clutch pedal and at about halfway travel on the pedal the car stalled. Whilst the clutch has been described as slightly heavy I don't think it is in need of changing now but I am still at a loss as to why I had trouble getting the car into gear on Friday. Any further ideas would be appreciated.
James.

[JW1]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for your response, so there is no clutch cable, that's good to know. What you suggest as a possible problem could this cause intermittent symptoms? I am wondering if the gearbox linkage became sticky?

[JW1]

Any ideas where the clutch fluid reservoir is?

[Magic919]

The "gearbox linkage" is a cable affair.

[Trev450]

A heavy clutch pedal is often a symptom of a weak pressure plate.

[catman]

Trev450 said:

A heavy clutch pedal is often a symptom of a weak pressure plate.

It appears that the pressure plate isn't weak (to me, anyway!) as the car stalls fairly easily with plenty of movement left on the clutch pedal.

I'm thinking that there could be clutch drag either due to air in the system, or possibly due to the car being used in traffic a lot and the clutch pressure plate being given a hard time.(ie sticking, or minor distortion)

Of course, the gearbox cable could also be suffering for the same reason. (low miles, but lots of use)

I'd go for the cheapest options first, ie bleed the clutch and check the gearbox cables for wear/sticking. I wouldn't replace the clutch until these items have been checked first.

Tim

[JW1]

Thanks Tim, helpful advice, I am going to discuss with my local garage tomorrow as the clutch just does not seem ready for changing.

[catman]

You're welcome. I hope that it turns out to be something cheap and easy to fix!

Tim

[catman]

Any news?

Tim

[JW1]

Hi Tim,
Thanks for asking. The car has been running fine, but decided to get a second opinion from a different garage, following an inspection on their ramp, nothing obvious could be found and they felt the clutch is no heavier than any other Boxster. However if I get a repeat of the problem I should go back to them pronto and they will investigate further, they did mention the possibility of a frayed gearbox cable, so have cancelled the clutch replacement with the original garage.
James.

[SalesManager]

James,

I'm really interested to hear the results of the cable change. When are you getting this done what is the cost of the parts?

[JW1]

Hi Sales Manager,
At this stage I am going to see how it goes, it is daily transport so if the problem is going to reoccur it will probably do so soon. Do you know if changing the cable is a big job?
James.

[SalesManager]

I dont know. Was hoping you did!!

[JW1]

Does yours need doing?

[SalesManager]

I was going to change mine as whilst going back from short shift to standard shift. The cables have 28k miles on them.