StormRune

I've seen a couple of threads recently discussing PDK clutch oil changes. Just for clarity I thought I'd add a new post regarding the costs and labor that have been quoted to me for this.

This is a recommended service at 6 years or 60,000 miles. I've hit the 6 year point so I'm going ahead and getting this done. Note that this is different than the longer term gear fluid change for the PDK which is even more expensive.

Porsche also recommends replacing the filter at the same time. Since the filter is built into the PDK clutch oil plan this requires replacing the entire pan. The fluid change itself requires 6 liters of clutch fluid and 3 hours of labor (!).

Here is a breakdown of the key costs from the dealer before tax.

$434: Pan with integrated filter and gasket (part 9G1.321.025.00)
$226: 6 liters of clutch fluid
$480: 3 hours labor (Your dealer labor rates may vary)
------
$1140

I am saving some money by buying the pan/filter from Gaudin Porsche online for $283 dollars plus $38 shipping (no tax charged). I also forgot to ask for the price with the PCA discount that typically helps reduce costs of some things as much as 15% so there may be some relief there as well.

You can save some sizable labor and parts costs by skipping the pan/filter change. I guess that was the reason for the wide variance in costs I saw in another thread. But personally I decide it was safest to go ahead and get the filter as well, especially since I go out of warranty at the end of the month and want to minimize any risk of a PDK failure.

door2416

That's 37.00 bucks a liter for the oil. (unbelievable)

ltcjmramos

For more, see https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...rmal-or-3.html

StormRune

Thanks for referring to this Joe, and Wayne for the thread itself. Very informative! I had completely missed that thread. The $400 cost for just fluid replacement does sound a lot more palatable. Now I'm wondering if I really need to pay the extra to replace the pan/filter too, but it has already been shipped. I guess I'll go ahead with it anyway since this is the last chance before warranty expiration for them to look in the pan to see if there is any sign of bad things caught in the filter. Hopefully not, but I'd certainly rather know now while repair would be on their dime.

Edit: As noted in that thread, the final photo Wayne posted is of the valve bodies that control the PDK. I got to speak to the mechanic doing the work for me, and the "clutch" fluid in the change I'm discussing is also the fluid used by these valve bodies to control the PDK. That is one reason there is so much of the fluid. I know that this fluid is also used as a coolant for the PDK wet clutches and the pump that moves it around increases the rate at which it pumps the fluid during things like use of launch control and other aggressive use of the PDK.

stevepow

I just had the 6yr service done - there's quite a long list of Porsche recommended work beyond just the PDK; misc. filters, brake flush, oil, sync belt, - total was about $1600 before the PCA discount.

There's no mention of a pan/filter on my invoice - no parts anywhere near $400. Engine and Transmission Oil total was $211 and the sync belt was $102. Total parts/fluids was about $775. Labor was 6.3 hours.

StormRune

Thanks for the data point Steve. I already took care of the rest of the 6 year service and did the serpentine belt and brake flush myself saving a few hundred dollars there that it looks like I'm going to spend here. The PDK service is one I didn't have any idea how to approach. From other threads I gather it requires the PIWIs to do correctly in order to cycle out the old fluid properly. I guess part of the 6 liters is a flush.

It looks like the pan/filter change is beyond that listed in the official service list. However, it was recommended by one of the best-trained mechanics at the dealership, an older gentleman that I have talked with before and have some trust in. (The service advisor didn't actually know what was required!). Since I have it already ordered and on the way I'm going to go with the mechanic's recommendation.

Everyone should note that this is a step beyond the official checklist and skipping it is a way to save a few hundred dollars. I'll still be happy to have the peace of mind of knowing if there was anything bad caught in the pan or filter just before the warranty expires.

StormRune

I hunted down the fluid. It is Pentosin FFL-3 and retails for $37.71. However, it can be found online for less than half that price.
Cost per liter:
$29.22 on Amazon Prime
$25.33 at ECS Tuning
$18.11 at FCP Euro (not a familiar vendor. Any opinions?) Marked as a clearance item.

They all offer free shipping. It's looking like I need to provide my own fluid as well!

der Geist

I've purchased from FCP in the past. Good company, fair prices, fast shipping.

storch

I'm at 6 years and 6000mi.
Not ready to spend that much on an oil change.

ltcjmramos

Can you say "DRIVE the car!!"

StormRune

Thanks for the feedback der Geist. Their reviews on Google, Yelp, and the BBB look excellent too. I'm all for half price for the same product! Order placed. Although they had free shipping the timetable for delivery was too long. Fortunately it only cost $9.99 to add UPS ground that will get it here in time. Total was now only $118.65.

My cost with the oil pan option still in place is now:

$321: Pan with integrated filter and gasket (Porsche part 9G1.321.025.00) $283+38 shipping from Gaudin
$119: 6 liters of Pentosin FFL-3 clutch fluid from FCP Euro (Porsche part 00004320729)
$480: 3 hours labor (Your dealer labor rates may vary)
------
$920

Edited: 2/5/15
If doing just the fluid change it looks like the cost would likely be much more reasonable. Let's estimate 2.5 hours labor since the pan change itself isn't much labor, most of the work in is the process itself. So I'd guess $400 labor and $119+ for the fluid if you can still find it that cheap, so probably between $520 to $600 at dealer PCA labor rates unless you pay the dealer the full markup on the fluid.

3Series

Are you bringing your own parts to a dealer?

StormRune

Yes. They agreed to it as long as they were the same Porsche/Pentosin parts they would have used anyway.

orange260z

I have a very early C2S launch car. My dealer says that the replacement pan part is #9G1.321.025.00, same as the OP. Is that the original part that came on this car, or is that an updated part? If not, is it possible to go to the later part? Is the newest part fully serviceable?

Thanks!

StormRune

According to the parts site I use, 9G1.321.025.00 is a replacement for 9G1.321.125.00, which I assume was the original part. I now have the replacement in hand. BTW, it includes new mounting, drain bolts, and seal/gasket.

Unfortunately, the filter(s?) are still built in. Here are a couple of photos. The first shows a fine fabric filter embedded in the pan's base. The other shows something that looks like some sort of coarse filter, there are two of those snapped into the pan. I was surprised to discover that the pan itself is some sort of plastic.