engine shuddering!!

[timig]

Hi there

I have just bought myself a '91 S2 and was hoping someone on here might be able to help me out before I head to the nearest Porsche speicalist...

On one of the freak warm days in Edinburgh last week I found myself stuck in traffic which is where the problem started. Everytime I tried to engage 1st gear to ease along slowly, the car would shudder pretty violently, so to get it in gear I found myself having to hit pretty high revs just to move - needless to say this wasnt much fun stuck in a long line of traffic! Once i was moving, the gears flowed fine, it was just first (oh and reverse - pretty difficult to reverse park a car that doesn't really use reverse, thankfully I was parking on a hill so I could just go back in neutral!).

Do any of you 944 experts have any idea what this might be? I am yet to drive in the cold yet as this only happened the other day...
Any ideas would be gratefully received (as long as you don't tell me that I need something expensive done!)

Thanks
Tim

 

[Guest]

It sounds like the clutch to me - it happens on my 968 in very hot weather/heavy traffic combos. On the 968 it is fairly common - not necessarily a sign of the clutch being on the way out - not sure about 944's though. I have had less of a problem since adopting a different driving style. I try not to sit in traffic with my foot on the clutch, and try and leave a bigger gap so I can roll along in first a for a longer distance.

 

[Fen]

It sounds like the clutch to me too. I have never had this in 5 944's and 120k+ miles so it isn't endemic. I'd suggest it's either a slight leak somewhere so the pedal travel doesn't translate to clutch disengagement (not too expensive to fix) or the clutch is worn (quite expensive).

 

[chrisr]

Hate to be the bearer of potential bad news, but that is very similar to mine just prior to purchase of the car and it needed a new clutch ( thankfully for me under warranty ) I know that doesn't help, here's hoping that its a leak etc

Chris

 

[TTM]

My S2 did the same in the same conditions until I got the clutch replaced.

It still does it a very little bit with the new clutch but I guess it's down to the disc being spring centered instead of "rubbered" like original discs are.

 

[Diver944]

Tim, mine is similar (though not so bad) after a VERY long drive, or extremely hot stop/start driving. My mechanic has put it down to the rubber bung in the centre of the clutch starting to wear out and they are rubbing their hands in glee at the impending replacement ££££.

The good news for you is that mine has done this for the past 7 years and 70k miles so don't worry too much yet. How is yours in normal flowing traffic?

 

[timig]

Thank you all for pretty much confirming what i feared, that a new clutch is probably going to have to be the way forward. I think i might wait, like diver said - after all it is fine in "normal" traffic. Though when you mention £££ do you guys have any idea (roughly of course) what sort of prices i might be looking at? I will speak to my mechanic tomorrow, only problem is that he is is in Manchester, and i am in Edinburgh (yet to find a reasonable porsche specialist up here!) so it is a bit of a trek. I think it is probably worth it though.

 

[Fen]

Some of the Glasgow guys have a specialist they can recommend a bit closer! You're looking at £700 to £1,000 for a clutch, depending how well it comes apart.

 

[Big Dave]

Timig
I have this problem on my S2 .. BUT ive just fitted a brand new clutch although its a motorsport version so its not as forgiving as a standard one...[][]
One thing to point out is when / if you get yours replaced. make sure they resurface the flywheel.. they can go out of true with age ...In fact it could be that yours has "buckled" .....

On a Porsche specialist in Scotland..
have you heard of Motortune in Shotts , near Rutherglen.???
Tel no - 01501 822247...... M8 -j5..
A friend of mine with a 993 swears by them....

 

[timig]

Thanks again for all of your help, I will definitely give motortune a call and see what they can do.

 

[Guest]

Tim,

Stephen Spellacy, whose turbo I am finally about to take possession of, (2 weeks today!!) is also a strong supporter of Motortune. According to Stephen, Motortune will supply and fit a clutch for £600 - sounds like a bargain

Which reminds me... I seem to remember a 'how long did your clutch last' stickie, I've tried searching for it, but no joy. Can anyone post a link?

Cheers

Matt

 

[timig]

Thanks Matt, I just spoke to motortune, who did also quote me about £600. My only worry is that it may be an OEM clutch kit rather than a Porsche one - is this an issue I should worry about - or is a clutch a clutch??

Cheers
Tim

 

[Fen]

OEM would be the one Porsche used (Sachs I think) and is fine. I think you mean a pattern clutch which may or may not be so good. I'm not sure there are many pattern clutches for S2's though so it would probably be OEM that they would use.

 

[mik_ok]

Peter (owner of Motortune) will be happy to tell you who the part supplier is ~ just give him a bell. Another vote of confidence in them here. []