So I have been doing tons of research into purchasing a 997 in the coming year. Really thinking of going with a 997.2 with PDK. I will be looking for a coupe S from a warm environment but there seems to be tons of convertibles instead. My concern is the PDK. Is there anything that can seen from a PPI showing an impending issue? Are the issue's only on really early 997.2 cars? Although this car is a drop top this is the type of vehicle I hope to find when I am ready. Vented seats with Sports Chrono.

Thanks in advance.

https://www.ridendrivedallas.com/vdp...allas-TX-75043

 

From a visual inspection, outside of any leaks, not really. Mine had a very minor weep from a shaft oil seal leading to the driveshaft at 85k miles and Porsche decided to replace it. Other than that I’ve never had any issues. It’s my daily and I run a COBB Tuning Aggressive PDK Map.

’09 C2S Launch Edition, 116k miles

 

I am in 997.2 number 6 with pdk and also had pdk in 2 991s and a Macan S. I have had no pdk issues.

If you are going to track, make sure you have the center radiator and make sure your car has had a pdk service at 6 years or 60,000 miles. If not, get it done as soon as you get it.

I have spoken to close friends that work for Porsche or Porsche dealerships and one audits warranty work. They told me they have never seen a pdk failure in 997s, but saw sporadic Panamara failures and one Porsch dealer service rep said they replaced a pdk in a 991.1 under a Fidelity warranty, but he said it was questionable whether it needed to be replaced. He also said the Panamera is a different unit.

Each one of these guys unequivocally told me to stay away from 997.1 due to concerns about the engine so they are not afraid to say if they have seen issues.

I was at my local Indy in October. They had a Panamara in that was stuck in gear. He said that was the first pdk problem they had seen. Call your local Indy and dealership’s service department. Ask them and see what they say about pdk failures in 997s.

There aare a few guys on here that have had a pdk issues. I do think when people have a failure like that they seek out forums like this to get information. If there are no problems and car is great, may never see them here.

 

^^ 100% on the center radiator if you’re gonna track. If you’re in Texas like me it’s a good investment for our summers alone.

 

As for PPI (which I didn’t do, I prefer to inspect cars myself) maybe MAYBE a DME could give a little indication about PDK health. If you buy a PDK car and you’re feeling insecure after, you could always do the PDK service right away. I had it done for $550. I noticed zero difference in shifts afterward. But I was at 60k miles

 

I'm at 131K miles on my 2010 C4S original PDK. Services at 60K and 120K miles. Specifically asked that the software not be updated to the softer shifting version. Felt no difference after either service. But I'll plan on a third service when I hit 180K miles.

 

I felt crisper shifting and seemed like a little less slip in 2nd at low rpms. Definitely noticed a crisper shift. I wonder if that was a software tweak and had zilch to do with the new fluid? I honestly cannot recall if I said anything about software or not on Wife's car we serviced in 2017.

 

997.1s there is another thread on here about repairing the PDK. Most of the failure items that might have an issue are now replaceable with the right indy. From what I have read so far, the PDK is a solid unit with very low failure rates. As others have said, if you cannot verify that the 60k service was done, then just have that done. I couldn't verify that mine was done when I bought the car at 72k so I just paid my indy for the service. FYI the filter doesn't need replacing, that recommendation is old news. Just have the PDK oil changed.

my 2c

 

If you don't specifically instruct the dealer to not update the software they will. They may also do a reset that could affect shifting.

2009 and early 2010 PDKs may have a metallurgical problem between the pan and the drain plug. At the very least have the plug replaced during the first service.

If the plug doesn't come out properly the pan needs to be replaced.

The pans are not reusable. If the pan is removed first it must be replaced. That's what happened to me at my first service at a reputable dealer.

The pan kit includes the oil and should not cost much more to do. I did not know this on the first service, the dealer yanked the pan rather than the plug and then realized they couldn't reuse it. They then offered a discount on the pan but marked the pan up before the discount. Effectively I got double charged for the oil and the new plug.

Don't count on the dealer, even those with stellar reputations, to know what they are doing. Also beware the part numbers. My first service invoice had everything screwed up!!!

The second service was done at an Indie. I checked the pricing and pointed out an error ... The billing for the oil was missing as well as the plug. That's when I found out about the pan kit pricing. It's cheap enough that way that I would opt for the pan every time ... Get a more thorough drain plus a new filter (although the filter looked brand new each time ... Nice to verify). Plus as a kit you know they got the right oil.

 

If you're referring to the current thread about repairing the PDK, I don't think that's what the OP is claiming. He is saying that based on his research that some parts are available and perhaps a adventurous indy MAY want to attempt. I wouldn't claim they are repairable and its just a matter of finding the right indy.

 

I need to call my shop and see how that Panamera pdk played out. It was stuck in gear or wouldn’t go into gear. I cannot recall what they said. I told them the owner may be looking at a new transmission and they were blown away. They had no idea no one was opening these up to do any repairs. I think they though I was talking out my ****, but he Googked while on the phone and said it appeared I was correct.

It will be interesting to see if they attempted any repairs on that Panamara pdk. Why not break it open and give it a try if it is otherwise shot. Maybe someone find certain electronic repairs really are not that challenging. Nothing to lose.

 

Yes. Maybe in a year the information about PDK repairs will begin to make it out to some Indy's. When I am ready I'll give Butch Stokes Automotive a call and ask. He did some work on a 986S I had a few years ago and the guy seemed real solid and honest. Good to see the one member up to 120K with the PDK. My new position will have me working from home which means my oldest daughter will be needing to drive the car to some of her local college classes so the PDK is my only option.

THANKS!

 

That would be great if they are cracking into them and fixing, I just haven't heard anyone documenting here any repairs. The other thread, the OP was just speculating that based on his research it sure looked possible and it seemed that too many PDK's were replaced when they could have been repaired. I am a technician by trade and understand some of the complexities involved. I looked at some of his technical pages he posted an digested them a bit. Some things it looked like sure, those sensors can be replaced or a valve body. Others are buried and connected to shift rods and all part of an assembly. That would require removal of the trans, disassembly, replacement of the whole subassembly, reassemble, hope a gasket or seal somewhere isn't perturbed, reinstall, calibrate, and hope it all works/doesn't leak when its all finished. Not for the faint of heart.

I agree with his premise that the are replaced at a much higher rate than is necessary, but it all depends on what the diagnosis is.

 

Not sure. I tend to think that a Porsche dealership doing the PPI may have the best chance of spotting early warning signs. I say this since the PDK on my -09 C4S failed after having two Transmission Emergency Run warning light events. Both were cleared after turning the engine off and back on. The third warning is what did it in. Would not reset, car wouldn't move and the verdict by my dealer was replacement.

Maybe they can pull the codes necessary to determine if the car in question was ever driven in the Transmission Emergency Run mode. I'm not saying that even if they can pin that down it means that the PDK will fail. Just saying that those two events preceded my failure and I can't think of any other way of predicting a possible failure other than fluid leaks and/or poor operation in general.

 

Man it's a crap shoot it seems like.