Newbie intro and heavy clutch pedal issues!

evo360 · 24 Jul 2023

Hi there, I just thought I would introduce myself as I am brand new to the Forum :bye:

I have just purchased my first Porsche a month ago and I am so far loving every minute, (well almost every minute, more on that below)

2004 996 C4 in silver. Purchased after seeing it online very locally and on a whim took it on. At the time I knew very little about the M96 engine, bore score, IMS etc etc. It was only when I started reading did I know what I had let myself in for. I am a firm believer that most of what is written is probably more horror story than reality but...

Upshot was that the IMS has been done 10k ago, RMS recently, full brake and wheel refurb, the car on the face of it needed nothing when I picked her up last month.

I have since had an issue with the clutch if you guys could chime in with your knowledge it would be gratefully received:

Symptoms:
Heavy pedal
long pedal
high bite

facts:
Clutch 8k miles and 2 years old
Looking at booster spring under the dash and depressing clutch pedal it all seems intact and operational

Unknown reason for this however common complaints are slave cylinder, booster spring or clutch itself.

Could the booster spring still be at fault if the spring appears to be moving under clutch travel? Is there actually 2 springs in the booster spring assembly and one could be broken?

Could it be possible that the clutch is ruined even after 8k of unknown quality driving?

Would a fluid change or bleed help?

Can the slave possibly be the problem?

I find it tough to accept that the clutch is dead after just 8k of driving but like I said above, i dont know how bad the previous driver was with clutch control etc.

I feel I'll inevitably have to get it booked in with my LPS but was hoping I could try the simple stuff first. Apologies if this has been covered but it does feel a bit unique due to the age of the clutch in question.

Thanks for the help in advance

stupidget · 24 Jul 2023

Hi evo360 and welcome,

High bite point would make me think it's the clutch on the way out. What you could do as a test is try to pull off in 3rd and if the clutch is ok then the car will stall, but if the clutch is slipping then the car will very slowly pull away. But, like you say, a clutch with 8k on should be fine, unless the previous owner was just a terrible, terrible driver.

I had a new clutch on my 996 C4 and 5k miles later it's still perfect, but still feels slightly heavy, but then again I'm comparing it to the clutch in my wife's Fiat 500

as my other car is an auto.

I'd take it to a clutch specialist and get them to take it for a drive. They'll know straight away what's wrong.

evo360 · 24 Jul 2023

stupidget said:
Hi evo360 and welcome,

High bite point would make me think it's the clutch on the way out. What you could do as a test is try to pull off in 3rd and if the clutch is ok then the car will stall, but if the clutch is slipping then the car will very slowly pull away. But, like you say, a clutch with 8k on should be fine, unless the previous owner was just a terrible, terrible driver.

I had a new clutch on my 996 C4 and 5k miles later it's still perfect, but still feels slightly heavy, but then again I'm comparing it to the clutch in my wife's Fiat 500 as my other car is an auto.

I'd take it to a clutch specialist and get them to take it for a drive. They'll know straight away what's wrong.

Thanks for the welcome and the advice, to be honest I hadn't thought beyond taking it to a Porsche specialist before you suggested it. All points to clutch as you said but, how bad must the previous owner could have been to destroy a clutch in that time?!

Senoj · 24 Jul 2023

evo360 said:
stupidget said:

Hi evo360 and welcome,

High bite point would make me think it's the clutch on the way out. What you could do as a test is try to pull off in 3rd and if the clutch is ok then the car will stall, but if the clutch is slipping then the car will very slowly pull away. But, like you say, a clutch with 8k on should be fine, unless the previous owner was just a terrible, terrible driver.

I had a new clutch on my 996 C4 and 5k miles later it's still perfect, but still feels slightly heavy, but then again I'm comparing it to the clutch in my wife's Fiat 500 as my other car is an auto.

I'd take it to a clutch specialist and get them to take it for a drive. They'll know straight away what's wrong.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome and the advice, to be honest I hadn't thought beyond taking it to a Porsche specialist before you suggested it. All points to clutch as you said but, how bad must the previous owner could have been to destroy a clutch in that time?!

Who fitted it and did they know what they were doing, if they did then ask them to have a look :thumb: Lots of variables. Many parts in a clutch did they replace all of them etc etc.

Thunderace · 24 Jul 2023

Welcome :thumbs:

High bite point does sound like clutch wear as previously mentioned.

gizlaroc · 25 Jul 2023

My Nan used to do 2000 miles a year, always had Audis, and always used to replace the clutch every 6 months or so until Audi convinced her to buy an auto. :mrgreen:

A really crap driver can ruin a clutch in miles.

evo360 · 26 Jul 2023

Senoj said:
evo360 said:

stupidget said:

Hi evo360 and welcome,

High bite point would make me think it's the clutch on the way out. What you could do as a test is try to pull off in 3rd and if the clutch is ok then the car will stall, but if the clutch is slipping then the car will very slowly pull away. But, like you say, a clutch with 8k on should be fine, unless the previous owner was just a terrible, terrible driver.

I had a new clutch on my 996 C4 and 5k miles later it's still perfect, but still feels slightly heavy, but then again I'm comparing it to the clutch in my wife's Fiat 500 as my other car is an auto.

I'd take it to a clutch specialist and get them to take it for a drive. They'll know straight away what's wrong.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome and the advice, to be honest I hadn't thought beyond taking it to a Porsche specialist before you suggested it. All points to clutch as you said but, how bad must the previous owner could have been to destroy a clutch in that time?!

Click to expand...

Who fitted it and did they know what they were doing, if they did then ask them to have a look :thumb: Lots of variables. Many parts in a clutch did they replace all of them etc etc.

Thats a really good shout but unfortunately the place is no where near where I am, I am tempted to give them a call tomorrow however. Thanks for the advice

evo360 · 26 Jul 2023

gizlaroc said:
My Nan used to do 2000 miles a year, always had Audis, and always used to replace the clutch every 6 months or so until Audi convinced her to buy an auto. :mrgreen:

A really crap driver can ruin a clutch in miles.

So did your nan own an old 996 by any chance :?:

evo360 · 26 Jul 2023

So I have given up my very limited yet enthusiastic investigations and have booked in with my local Porsche specialist next month.

I'll report back, thanks for all of the input

gizlaroc · 26 Jul 2023

evo360 said:
gizlaroc said:

My Nan used to do 2000 miles a year, always had Audis, and always used to replace the clutch every 6 months or so until Audi convinced her to buy an auto. :mrgreen:

A really crap driver can ruin a clutch in miles.

Click to expand...

So did your nan own an old 996 by any chance :?:

:mrgreen:

Yeah, but it was a Turbo S tiptronic, so doesn't count.

gazagja · 8 Apr 2024

Hi i seem to be suffering same issue and ive just had a brand new clutch installed.
I know i shouldnt say this lol but car in near undriveable if im in my work boots and just get used to it with trainers on, seems like foot has got to go all the way down, could it be another issue

Alex · 8 Apr 2024

gazagja said:
Hi i seem to be suffering same issue and ive just had a brand new clutch installed.
I know i shouldnt say this lol but car in near undriveable if im in my work boots and just get used to it with trainers on, seems like foot has got to go all the way down, could it be another issue

It sounds like your clutch helper spring may be broken on the pedal.

gazagja · 8 Apr 2024

Oh ok mate, can i replace from inside the car or does it need to be on a ramp, hope ive not just spent Near £1250.00 on a new clutch when its not been needed, so just order clutch helper spring?
Thanks Gary

Alex · 8 Apr 2024

It's a DIY job and will take you about an hour. First thing to do is remove it (it's in the footwell) and have a look at the spring. You'll need to remove some of the heater vent trunking and also lie with your head in the footwell looking up.

You can see it operating here:

gazagja · 8 Apr 2024

Nice one Alex Cheers

Newbie intro and heavy clutch pedal issues!

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