Wayne Smith

I will write on any differences I see. I am going to ask that my PDK software not be updated.

From what I think I know ...

As for the pan, early 2009s had no drain plug. Then a drain plug went in but was too high in the pan to give a full drain. And sometime in 2010 they got the part right.

Beware ... This information may not be accurate. I should know more by Tuesday night.

The following is direct from the Service Adviser. I am quite impressed at the amount of information being offered in preparation of the service!


Wayne:

Most likely will need to change the transmission pan, in the 3rdÂ*picture 185249 shows the drain plug which appears to be steel this service information may apply, also based on the production date mentioned in the TI

Â*

Technical Information

Service

3

23/09Â*Â*ENUÂ*Â*3755

PDK Transmission: Modified Oil Drain Plug (23/09)

Model year: as of 2009Â*
Vehicle Type:

911 Carrera (997)/911 Carrera S (997)

Equipment:

Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) (I-no. 250)

Concerns:

ATF pan: Modified oil drain plug.

Information:

– Draining/changing ATF clutch fluid,Â*
– Removing and installing ATF pan,Â*
– Removing and installing electrohydraulic control unit.

A modified oil drain plug was installed in the ATF pan as of the beginning of August 2009.

Modifications and identifying features:Â*
– Material: aluminum (previously steel),
– unpainted, waxed surface (previously painted black),
– → Tightening torque: 15Â*Nm (11Â*ftlb.)+3Â*Nm (+2Â*ftlb) (previously 22 Nm/16 ftlb. + 3 Nm/2 ftlb.).
– Marking on plug head: 15+3 (= tightening torque).

Date of Introduction:

Beginning of August 2009, as of transmission numbers:

CG100 1 012163

CG100 2 002938 (with limited-slip differential)
CG130 2 011700 (with limited-slip differential)

Â*

andy92782

Subscribing to this thread. My MY10 C2S is a 6/09 build.

I can't say I'm overjoyed over the prospect of having to spend untold fortunes to replace poorly designed parts that prevent me from doing regular maintenance.

(My car has ~43K on it, BTW... no urgent need to get this done)

ADias

Your car PDK clutch service is due. It's 60k miles or 6 years, whichever is less. I recommend doing it at 30k miles or 5 years (wet clutches oil).

EMC2

The service including drive belt and PDK fluid was just over $1200.

At the same time they replaced the belt tensioner under warranty.

andy92782

You've guilted me in to it. I have an appointment with my indy to get it done. Will follow up with post-maintenance report with any stories of drain plug misadventure, if applicable.

Wayne Smith

Note: The prices below will vary around the country. Quotes in my experience for Porsche work vary wildly. I did not choose my service provider by price, but by my comfort with them.

I avoided people who could not quote, would not quote, quoted variable amounts, could not explain the pan or filter or procedure, could not tell me how many PDKs they had done, or those who had not done at least a dozen.

I decided against going with an indy. The PDK is too expensive for me to give PCNA a blatant excuse to blame a failure on my maintenance decisions. Yeah, I'm way out of warranty. Still ...

Then there were soft measures, as in any deal or negotiation.

The result ... Today, VERY qualified Porsche dealer IMO, 2010 C4S with PDK, clutch oil service, 12% PCA discount, total with tax just under $400. It helped that they knew what they are doing and knew what was involved.

There is a proviso on the above number. My steel drain plug did come out of the threads without ovaling them. This was a risk. The removed oil was clean. The filter was absolutely clean. In this car the pan could have been reused. But we opted to replace the pan and plug. This made me feel better. YMMV. This decision roughly doubled the cost.

I also had them change the all wheel drive controller oil. 185 labor plus six quarts of oil (at 29 per quart totaling 174). With the 12% discount plus tax ...

Dealer time ... 6 hours. Part of that was waiting for cool down. The car was fully inspected. A great washing and vacuuming was no charge as was PIWIS time to remove undeletable phone numbers from the previous owner. The wash was a hand wash. They did a better wash job than I would have.

I requested no software update. The PDK seems smoother and a bit quicker on the shift. But I will be the first to say this could be placebo affect. Any improvement is minor. The oil and filter were very clean, even after six years and 63K miles. But I am happy the oil is new and that the pan is updated.

For whatever it's worth, attached are a couple pictures. One shows the opened PDK from below. I understate the case when I say this is some complex technology. The other picture shows the inside of the pan ... the white is a mechanical filter much like you would find in a fish tank. As I said, this was in like new condition even after the mileage. For anyone questioning the reliability of the PDK, I would argue that mechanical should not be a part of that discussion.

Bottom line ... I feel good that I did the service (at 6 years and 60K in my case). If any of you opt to do this as well, I would advise that you take the time to call around and find a dealer who has experience. I did not go to my closest dealer. Take the time to query to assure yourself that whoever is doing the work knows their stuff. Make your own criteria to make your decision.

And once again, thank you to all who have joined in and helped me decide my criteria for moving forward.

andy92782

Thanks for the info and the pictures. The guts of the PDK look quite similar to that of a valve body you'd find on a typical slushbox these days.

Robocop305

Amazing transmission!

91469972

I started experiencing trans slip recently and they replaced my PDK trans. Lucky to have the Fidelity Insurance and it only cost me $250.00.

chris.lorine

What is the Fidelity Insurance? I just purchased a used 2011 911 S with 12600 miles on it and it is a PDK. I had the oil changed and Brake fluid flushed.
Will have to have the PDK oil changed next year. Looking for any savings I can

ltcjmramos

I take it your car is not CPOd? Fidelity is aftermarket insurance on drivetrain and other failures. It won't help with your maintenance expenses.

vetfever

Very informative - Thank You P-Car crew.

vetfever

Big Swole

Subscribed to learn more and continue reading later.

lurchphil

The PDK fluid had been changed by the dealer at just over 33,000 miles before I bought my 2011 GTS. After reading a jillion posts on the PDK, I understand that the transmission fluid that goes into the pan using the Porsche PIWIS system is Pentosin 75W. Typically this requires just over 3 liters of the Pentosin when the pan is not removed. The transmission gears which are similar to the manual transmission cars use the same Mobilube PTX 75w90 available from Suncoast, Sunset or Rennpart. About 3 liters. The dealer in Rocklin did the gear oil change using the PTX I supplied for $90 labor, (1/2 hour),and threw in a free wash job. The upper fill fitting is not easily accessed and required moving a bracket or two out of the way. Three or four years from now, I'll do it all over again.

axl886

Hi guys. I know I'm resurrecting an old thread, but..

When moving off from 1st gear (regardless of drive mode) from a stop-light, does your revs drop slightly initially? Or does it just increase/sweep smoothly from the idling rev (eg. 800rpm)? Thanks.