Three "is this normal" questions

Jeff396 · 04-22-2012, 04:55 AM

Hi all,

Just a couple of "is this normal" questions for a relatively new '02 Boxter S owner.

First of all, when I'm cruising down the highway in 5th or 6th and sometimes in 4th gear and accelerate a bit it feels like the clutch slips for an instant and then it doesn't do it again as long as I stay in that gear. Is this something to do with the dual mass clutch? Is it normal?

When I hit the defroster the air comes out REALLY hot. This is not a problem in the winter but can get a bit uncomfortable in the summer time when it's raining. The temp setting seems to have no affect when it's in defrost mode. Is this the way it's supposed to work? Why would that be?

When I changes my oil last I noticed a bit of condensation on the trunk lid where the coolant and oil caps are. Is this normal or should I get another coolant cap?

Thanks,

Jeff

JedinDetroit · 04-22-2012, 06:59 PM

Hey Jeff

I dont know about the furst question....

my defroster has always done the same. Hot and full blast when you put it on defrost. sounds normal, dont know why. I imagine to defrost the winshield as quickly as possible for safety sake

There was a time many years ago that the coolant caps were leaking. Check the cap, make sure its tight and the gasket is sealing. Also check that your coolant resevoir isnt leaking. When mine did it leaks into the rear trunk and you will find the coolant fluid under the carpeting and false floor of the rear trunk. I dont know what year they corrected the bad coolant tank designs and they stopped leaking...
If your tank is solid and the cap looks good I would replace the cap.

just my 2 cents...

bar10dah · bar10dah's Garage

Along with what JedinDetroit said, check the cap itself. And, if the part number on it doesn't end in -04, order a new cap here, or here, or any one of a number of places online. Or, even your local dealer.

Jeff396 · 04-23-2012, 04:52 AM

Thanks.....and thanks for the link. I'll check the number on the cap today. I didn't notice the truck being wet but I also didn't pull up the carpet. The condensation was confined to the area within the rubber seal that rests against the trunk lid so I bet it's just the cap.

Anyone have any ideas on the slight slip feeling I get when accelerating in the higher gears?

Jeff

mikefocke · 04-23-2012, 12:28 PM

Shouldn't be any slippage.

JedinDetroit · 04-23-2012, 04:27 PM

OK,

When you say it feels like a slip what do you mean?

Does it feel like it looses power for a split second? Almost like a studder?

or does it truly slip...like the rpm goes up and back down?

How many miles on the car? original spark plugs?

Jeff396 · 04-24-2012, 04:37 AM

Hi,

The slip is only for a split second and doesn't cause the rpm to rise like a clutch that isn't holding. I think studder is a pretty good description of it.

The car has 60k miles on it and I just replaced the spark plugs. I was doing this before I replaced the spark plugs also. I don't know anything about a dual mass flywheel but I read somewhere that to see if it's okay you twist it and it should only go so far and spring back to it's original position if it's good. Since I've never seen one I'm not clear on what's going on there but it does sound like it could cause a feeling like this. Thing is, I would doubt I would feel it if it were only going as far as it should if it's working properly. Would this be a sign that the flywheel is on its way out?

Jeff