sp1965

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a 997.1 C2S, with 37K miles on it. Clutch was replaced by previous owner at About 32K miles.

Occasionally, it is difficult for me to engage the first gear. This happens mostly from a complete stop.

Any ideas why this is happening? Time to replace the clutch again?

Thank You

1Carnut

You might want to do a search, it happens to a lot of these cars.

Sydneysixer

+1, it only occurs occasionally to me, but Murphy's law says it will happen more often when first in line at lights with a queue behind.

Supermode

Its common on our cars. Next time it happens release the clutch and depress it. Works every time for me.

Petza914

2 other tricks for you - You can also move the shift lever to a different gear before then putting it into 1st. This stops the shaft from spinning and makes it easier to engage the gear or just before you come to a complete stop at the light, gently move the shifter to 1st. This is my least favorite method becuase you then have to sit at the light with the clutch depressed, which will likely shorten the life of the throw out bearing and possibly the slave cylinder, but if you can tell that the light will be changing soon when pulling up to it, is another good way.

Also, others have said that renewing their gearbox oil with PLX completely resolved this issue for them.

One of the reasons that 1st and 2nd are more difficult to select is because they have steel synchro rings vs a softer material for the other gears. This is because those are the gears that get the most shifts and it makes the synchros last longer.

Troy997.1

Has happen to me just play the clutch

NAM VET

I know that modern transmissions and transaxles have gears that are in constant mesh, but somehow, in driving stick cars since the early '60's, it sometimes seems even now that shifting from neutral, when the car has been stopped, that the inability to move the gear shift lever to first is because the gear teeth are failing to mesh. What I do, which seems to fix this teeth-on-teeth problem is to move the gear shift lever to neutral, let the clutch out, which spins the gears, and then try again. Like somehow the teeth of the gears now mesh.

I just don't know why sometimes manual boxes do this. But the fix only takes a second or so.

all the best....

motopix

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...-gear-oil.html

get Mobil PTX from Suncoast. never have a problem again.

Comanche_699

I agree with motopix - I did the PTX last week, and though not 100% cured, it is definitely a 98.737% improvement.

I also have a Numeric SSK which may or may not have something to do with the 1.263% variance.

Also, the other tips above are good habits to practice. But yes, the 1st gear thing is a thing.

997_Toronto

Recently changed the transmission fluid and the difference is remarkable. It's a cheap fix to a well known issue.

Agree with the statement below as well, tends to work when the gear shift gets notchy.

BIG smoke

New clutch 5ooo miles ago. No mention of how long ago?
Do you know who did it? Are the repair papers in the car?
Perhaps the shop will warranty the repair? If not too long ago?
Mine used to bind in first every once in a while too.
3rd then 1st? Usually solved the problem.

Jastx

Search for the PTX threads. It's an inexpensive must do. I think all who have tried it have had success. I have too. I don't even think about that issue any more.

shyamvenky

Changing the transmission oil helped a lot in my case. Although.. it does occur rarely even now.
I would suggest replacing the drain plug with a magnetic one if you are changing the oil.

30k clutch change.. was it a failed component or abuse by previous owner?

Johnny DB

Where did you get a magnetic one?

j beede

Every standard shift vehicle I have ever owned displayed this behavior to varying degrees. My 1985 Golf GTI was the worst and Audi 80Q was probably the best in this regard.