Shifting trouble in N. Florida
 

A 986 newbie, but long time owner of a 66 912...

Recently bought a 99 986 w/185K mi. Drove fine for a few minutes, then broke the hydraulic fluid line at the slave cylinder.
- Replaced the fluid line
- Bled the system using a pressure bleeder (both bleed valves on each brake caliper and the slave cylinder and made sure all old fluid was replaced w/new, & no bubbles were present
- Car shifts fine (smooth) in the driveway with the car not running
- Once turned on, in idle, it is difficult to engage 1st & reverse
- Down shifting from 2nd to 1st is difficult
- Had to turn the car off, put in reverse, restart the car to back into driveway
- While the car in sitting in the driveway, off, there is a sucking sound from the hydraulic fluid reservoir . I put a piece of plastic bag over the opening, put the cap back on, no more sucking.

I apologize for posting this issue here, since I posted in the DIY section. Very few responses in DIY. Hope more people see this post. Thanks in advance.

Fred in N. Florida

Any thought on my shifting issue?http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1440431113.jpg

Difficulty getting into 1st/Reverse is a clutch engagement issue. Are you sure the system is fully bled? Is the slave cylinder good? How many miles on the clutch?

Terrible shifting into 1st and reverse
 

Thanks for responding. I bled over a qt through the system. I can only assume that is enough bleeding. All old fluid was flushed out and new stuff replaced it by evidence of what cam out of the bleed valve. No idea what mileage is on the clutch. No history from the PO. If it is a clutch engagement issue, is there anything I can do to verify it's the problem (troubleshoot) before I dive into a clutch job??? Looking at the service manuals, it does not appear to be a quick job. On my 912, replacing the clutch is a few hour job including several beer breaks.

Did you bleed the clutch with the clutch pedal fully depressed? It is the only way you're going to get the system bled right.

Oops
 

Didn't read that art or I missed that part in the instructions! Will try again this weekend. Can I get away with just bleeding the slave cylinder or do I need to also do the brakes?

Just the slave.

Use a 2x4 to hold it in place if nobody is available to help. When you finish, the pedal will stay on the floor (don't panic!). Just use your hand to pull the pedal up and you should b good to go.

Excited
 

Thanks for the suggestion. Will give it a try tonight. Feedback to follow.

Bled the slave cylinder with the clutch pedal depressed. Still difficult to get into 1st and reverse when the car is running. Any more ideas???

Are you sure that there isn't anything interfering with the clutch pedal being fully depressed - like a floor mat?

Are you sure that the slave cylinder is ok? Its fairly easy to remove so I'd check it.

Took the slave cylinder to O'Rileys and they said it was OK, no need to replace...

I can't recall if there is a rubber hose in the clutch hydraulic circuit but if so, it may be expanding when you press down on the pedal (due to age of hose) and not allow the slave to fully actuate.

It happens on the BMW's...just ordered one for my 99 M Roady.

Swap that slave first before doing an entire clutch, since you'll want to do it anyway as insurance as part of a complete clutch job. Cheap enough.

I hope you're up and running soon - that's too nice looking a Boxster to be sitting in your drive!

Keep us posted on the progress. I wish I had availability to help, but I'm a bit swamped in personal life right now. :o