Hi guys,

Need help.

It is now time for my 991.1 2012 to get its pdk service.
Drain and refill transmission oil pdk transmission.
This should take place after 60k miles or 12 years. Mine only has 43k on the odometer.

However, I get scared when I read threads that after pdk service, several have had problems with the pdk sensor and which means that you have to replace the entire gearbox for a price of about $25.000 - 30.000.

I am thinking of doing a 111 point check and adding CPO at a cost of $2.000 annually. My car is otherwise in very good condition and I have owned it for five years without any major problems.

I think that a 111 point check + tell me that I need to change additional parts for CPO to apply and $2.000 in CPO cost for a year sounds expensive. But it will also be expensive if I go for a gearbox change.

How common is it really? Do I need to worry?

Grateful for answers…

 

Couple things to set you straight:

1) the PDK maintenance isn't 60K/12 years, it's 120K miles/12 years.



2) My perspective is to go ahead and change it. I have read about the failures and although concerning, I don't see it as pulling the pin on a grenade. There's not a proven link between a correct fluid change and the PDK grenading or needing repair - at least that I've seen. Similarly, I have a 20K mile 2013 with a 2012 build date I'm planning on doing the PDK service on in late 2024. So I've been thinking about this also.

3) Are you in the US? Because that's not how Porsche's actual CPO program works. Ie -- you cannot just go to a Porsche dealer, get the 111 point inspection, pay 2k and have Porsche CPO warranty for a year. If a dealer's doing that, they are out of bounds or selling you an aftermarket warranty. The dealer needs to actually buy and sell the car to process Porsche CPO.. just FYI. I have heard of people with 911's doing a sell-to dealer transaction and immediate buyback from a dealer to get CPO warranty, but very dealer dependent and ... they aren't going to do this if they're not taking $ off the top.

 

Sorry! Its 120k/12 years.

And also im not in the US. Im from Sweden. Maybe its not called CPO over here. When had a 111 point check and parts that need to be changed, all changed I can buy a ”Porsche Approved” warranty.

I dont know yet if I will do this or not, but its concerning reading about the pdk issues…

 

I had the PDK in my 2012 991.1 Carrera S serviced a few months ago. I was at 12 years. It's been fine since the service. I've driven it about 2,000km since. My total mileage is 106,000km.

 

Thank you!
Its winter and really cold in Sweden right now. About -13 F. Looking forward to bring the car out from the garage in end of march

 

I have 114,000 miles on a 2013 PDK and just did the clutch fluid drain and fill... No issues since. I also did a Blackstone oil analysis of the old PDK fluid and it came back all good. From everything I've read, the pros of changing the PDK fluid far far outweigh any potential cons. If (big if), a PDK failure occurred after a fluid change, it's likely that the fill procedure was done incorrectly or the transmission was on it's way out already. If the PDK is acting up, step 1 is usually a re-calibration and/or drain and fill, so that might be skewing the numbers of failures being reported "right after" a fluid change.

 

I had PDK service done at 62k / 11 years to play it safe. At the time I also replaced the pan with a metal one. No issues.

 

We have a PDK 2019 Macan S and the service interval for the PDK fluid change is 40K. Anyone know why the big difference in service interval between the 991 and Macan?

 

State your references for this comment. Inquiring minds would like to know.

 

Hi,
theres a sticky tread about the pdk problems.
also see https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1397...or-991-1s.html

 

I recall reading that the Macan transmission is different than the PDK they use in 911, Caymans, and Boxsters. However Porsche marketing brands them all as PDK. Something about one being a wet vs. dry clutch plate. The Macan transmission is closer to what is used in the VW/Audi DSG applications. If that is true, it would make sense maintenance intervals would differ.

 

I just bought my first Porsche which is the 991.1 2012 Carrera S. It's got the 21k miles on it and just found out here that the PDK service is due now or around the corner.

 

I have a 2012 early build with 18k on and considering doing it sometime this year.

 

PDK sensor failure is a completely separate issue. Its funny watching rumors spreading here, after it coinsided with PDK servisce for one owner...

 

Indeed, the number of posts about this have spiked these last few days. I changed my fluids, pan/filter at 100k and more than 6k miles later I'm very pleased I did, it's smooth and feels like a new tranny. That said, given what you do, is there any insight, or thoughts at all as to why the distance sensor does fail on some (small number) of cars? Is it driving habits, or geographical locations (cold/warm extremes) or something else in your opinion? Are there any early indications of coming failure or does it just conk out suddenly with no warning? Also, do you know if Porsche (or ZF) upgraded the part in later cars, revised the distance sensor or is it still the same on a 2016 as it was on a 2012? There are many engine components that had gone through revisions (sometimes several revisions) with time. Thanks for your contributions here on this hot topic.