CAYMAN PDK GEARBOX QUERY.

leescayman · Feb 19, 2022

Hi all,

I have a Cayman 987 gen 2, 2.9, 60,000, FPSH PDK one previous owner. I have owned the car for a few months now, it has been looked over and inspected by a couple of specialists, Other than rusty exhaust mounts they say all looks well. I had the engine oil changed as a precaution. Perhaps what I am about to describe is perfectly normal. When you start driving then car from cold, the gearbox is a little less smooth than it is when its warm, occasionally a little jerky on an odd gear change, also particularly when you go round an reasonably small island where a tight turn is required there is a slight rumble. Honestly this isn't a major sound, nothing horrible, I just notice it, and then its not there when the car is warm. Obviously I only drive the car gently until its warm, and by no means am I a racing driver. I know the gearbox will be serviced when the car is 12 years old. I am considering doing that early, but the specialists I have talked to say it's really not necessary. Any experience people have with this would be greatly appreciated. I am not great with forums so apologies if I don't respond. Thanks Lee

Motorhead · Feb 20, 2022

Hi Lee,

Unfortunately, as a “manual” transmission chap I can’t answer your question directly, but what you describe doesn’t sound quite right. Despite what your specialist is saying, as a first step I think it would be a good idea to get your PDK serviced, which should include oil changes for the clutch pack and the transmission, and see if that improves the situation. From what you say the transmission will be due its service relatively soon anyway so really you’ve nothing to lose by getting it done early.

Jeff

AndrewT · Feb 20, 2022

The condition you’ve described doesn’t sound familiar to me with my 42k mile 2011 Cayman S PDK. I do sometimes experience a harsher gearchange from second to first when slowing down as I approach a junction and accelerating again without coming to a halt.

Perhaps it will be worth having the PDK clutch fluid changed (due every 60k miles/6 years) and the PDK transmission oil (due at 120k miles/12 years).

Any chance the rumbling you hear on tight turns could actually be the front wheels ‘hopping’ which is a frequently reported ‘feature’?

Briggy · Feb 20, 2022

I'm in a similar position where I've noticed gear changes being slightly more clunky than they used to be. Car will be 12 years old in June. PDK clutch fluid was done at 6 years old. I've just booked to have that done again, along with the transmission fluid, both of which are due at 12 years. Don't see the point in waiting.

I hope you're sitting down for this. Total cost for this at OPC is a shade over £700.

AndrewT · Feb 20, 2022

I recently paid a very reasonable £699 at my local OPC, with PCGB discount on parts, for replacement Ribbed V-belt, Air Cleaner, Transmission Oil, Clutch Fluid, for my PDK Cayman S.

squarebob · Feb 20, 2022

AndrewT said:
I recently paid a very reasonable £699 at my local OPC, with PCGB discount on parts, for replacement Ribbed V-belt, Air Cleaner, Transmission Oil, Clutch Fluid, for my PDK Cayman S.

My 2010 CS PDK service is nagging at me too so putting it in a bit early as well. Decided on OPC as there would not have been that many PDKs 12 year services done so going for comfort. Asked OPC for the 'old car' discount for labour and with the PCGB for parts for the same items as AndrewT, and got it down to £623. Still a bit steep, but if you don't ask....

JohnCRS · Feb 21, 2022

I believe that the only 'service' on the PDK is the oil change. In addition they can re-synchronise the actuator unit that changes the gears. This is quite expensive (labour cost) as it takes a while. I guess that as the box wears it would be reasonable to expect some changes in tolerances etc. The clunky changes are usually worst when changing down, for example coming up to a roundabout when it drops into second. Sometimes the box may seem reluctant to change down when cruising in a built up area.

The slight rumble that you experience may well be from the diff rather than the gearbox, especially as it only happens on tight turns.

Seems sensible to have the fluids changed and see what the results are. Have a chat with your trusted OPC about the clunky changes, they might suggest it is re-synchronised at the same time. They can certainly road test it and say whether or not you should be concerned. It is not uncommon and there are a lot of the first gen PDK's out there in Caymans, Boxsters, and 997's.

Briggy · Mar 8, 2022

Just got my car back from OPC Tewkesbury after the fluid change. I have to say that I'm surprised at the difference. I didn't realise how bad it was until I got back in after the work. All the clumsiness and clunking gone. Nice smooth changes, both up and down. £685.03 for clutch fluid, transmission fluid, ribbed belt and air cleaner cartridge (i.e. everything), with the PCGB discount. Definitely worth doing.