968 Shifting Problem

[Racerbvd]

We just picked up a 968, the PO said that sometimes there is a issue going into 1st & Reverse. Well, after it was delivered, I took it for a test drive, the 968 shifted fine, no issues, but was only driving around the industrial park, no real speed. Went back to the office and let it sit about 20 minutes, at this point, I took her on the highway, again, very smooth (although a very heavy clutch pedal) through all the gears, then off & back on the highway, still feels great. Well, when I got off the highway this time, the car wouldn't come out gear, then wouldn't go back in, even with the clutch pedal all in, felt like it was still in gear and bucking, big vibration in the clutch pedal, and for the rest of the drive home, didn't want to go into gear and bucking.. When parked, and the engine off, shifts into all gears no problem.. I did a search on this, but didn't find any answers. Currently shows 180K, clutch replaced at 80K, the 968 is a 93..

[flash968]

could be that the rubber portion of your high pressure line is expanding. very common problem.

[944chm944]

the clutch has 100k. i think its about time for a new one. are you going to part it?

[Gawernator]

Part it?!

[Dave Colangelo]

May also want to consider running some new trans fluid into the car. Not that it is the source of the problem but could help things. I agree, check the rubber part of the lines and the clutch. If you are stuck in gear a throttle blip should allow you to shift out into neutral even with the clutch fully engaged. If you get get the car out of gear in this way there could be issues in the transmission.

Regards
Dave

[Racerbvd]

Thanks guys, no, I'M NOT PARTING IT!!! but it will see street & track use, worse case, we drop in my extra 968 gear box, already planned on changing all fluids, hitting the rack next week (anytime I get a new toy, I do this, as I like to start fresh) and checking it over.. This is actually B&B car #4, the newest to our Track rental fleed...

[Gawernator]

Yay

[FransB85]

Hi sorry to hear about your problem. In what condition are the motor mounts? I experienced difficulties getting out of gear after turning off the highway and standing at the end of the off ramp, this improved after I replaced the motor mounts. My theory was that the hot engine would cause the already bad mount to sag even more and put a slight strain on the shifting assembly.

As suggested, inspect clutch hydraulics, maybe do a flush and bleed. It seems very probable your problem lies there.

Also, try and find someone with a flexible scope to check out the clutch, see if something's terribly wrong with it before pulling the TT and BH.

Verify the oil level of the transaxle, and while you are at it maybe replace it, I hear lots of people are into swepco 201, I have no experience with it as it is hard to come by in Holland.
(You'll probably already know this but here goes: start by removing the filling plug, if it's stuck, you'll be happy you didn't drain the trannny)

That said, 100K miles is a lot and there is a good chance the clutch needs replacing. However, a thin clutch plate would cause symptoms of slippage under load in higher gears.

[968 GUY]

When you were parked, did you have the clutch pedal pushed?
The hose from the master to the slave cylinor the master or slave cylinder may have gone bad. Sometimes the hose from the master cyl. to the slave will baloon and not let the clutch release.
Hopefully someone was just joking about parting it, otherwise.

[flash968]

yes - that is the high pressure line to which i referred. it is an incredibly common problem on the 968. i have shipped almost 200 stainless replacement hoses myself. i can't imagine how many others have been replaced by others.

[968 GUY]

I'm sure pelican has an adequate replacement.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by flash968

yes - that is the high pressure line to which i referred. it is an incredibly common problem on the 968. i have shipped almost 200 stainless replacement hoses myself. i can't imagine how many others have been replaced by others.

If this car doesn't have one, make that 200, maybe 201 as I may get one for my other 968 powered project depending on the cost..

When you were parked, did you have the clutch pedal pushed?
The hose from the master to the slave cylinor the master or slave cylinder may have gone bad. Sometimes the hose from the master cyl. to the slave will baloon and not let the clutch release.
Hopefully someone was just joking about parting it, otherwise.

Yes sir, and while on the clutch pedal got real easy when the shifting problem was happening..

Verify the oil level of the transaxle, and while you are at it maybe replace it, I hear lots of people are into swepco 201, I have no experience with it as it is hard to come by in Holland.
(You'll probably already know this but here goes: start by removing the filling plug, if it's stuck, you'll be happy you didn't drain the trannny)

The PO had complete service records, and was very good about maintenance, and very up on fluid changes, but, as stated, already planned on complete fluid change, and we have been using & happy with Swepco, and have some in the garage.

Thanks guys, and Flash, how much are the lines, any pix??

[flash968]

currently out of stock, and not sure i'm making any more. on the fence on that right now. will decide in the next couple of days.

have somebody sit in the car and push the clutch pedal while you are under the hood looking at the rubber portion of the high pressure hose, specifically near where it joins the hard line. that's where it usually fails. just before it blows, you can usually see it balloon up right there.

the problem with these OEM hoses is that they fail from the inside, and you can't inspect them and know what's going on, until it's too late. they are only rated for 8 years, so it's no surprise to see the number of failures, especially when most people fail to flush their systems every other year, like they are supposed to.

[FransB85]

How about the 944? do they suffer from this as well? I do feel the shift can be a bit harsh at times, but not always. Since I'm going to replace my brake booster it might be wise to swap out the clutch MC, SC and line as well...

[flash968]

i would think that they would, given that the items are essentially the same, as well as the conditions. i'm not sure why we've seen so much discussion about the 968 lines, and not so much about the 944 lines. perhaps the clutch pressure is higher in the 968? perhaps there is more engine bay heat?

[Racerbvd]

Turned out to be the clutch..





Course that was a good excuse to add a light weight flywheel & sport Clutch
Taking it to the Dark Side DE this weekend

[Gawernator]

You have my envy.

[kwikt 911]

Ahh the infamous exploding disc trick!!!!!!! Same thing happened to mine at 115,000 miles. Are you replacing the DMF as well?

[flash968]

i'm hoping the lightweight flywheel is not the one i've now seen a number of problems with

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by flash968

i'm hoping the lightweight flywheel is not the one i've now seen a number of problems with

which on is that???
Harness bar & seats in, new exhaust, on, ready for the track this weekend.