Let me first start by saying I have driven a manual for 20 years and never experienced this before...this is also my third Porsche so I am familiar with them. Car is 3.4L 7-speed with 5600 miles.

Yesterday while pulling away from a complete stop the car was fine, I pushed in the clutch, shifted to 2nd, all of a sudden the rpms shot up to 7500 and started bouncing between 7500 and 8000 like the clutch did not fully disengage when I let it out....it was not like the car was even accelerating fast, I put the clutch in...didn't make a difference, I put it in third and it just kept doing the same thing....so I immediately pulled over. The smell was awful....I am assuming that is what a scorched clutch smells like.

I turned the car back on to attempt to drive it to at least get it home....and then it drove fine....I got it home notified the dealer and they will take it in this week to look at it. An hour and a half later in my garage it was still giving off a terrible burnt smell....

So does anyone know what might have happened or is there any known clutch issues. Like I said before it was like the clutch never disengage properly and even slight throttle caused it to run up to redline but there was nothing holding the actual clutch pedal or the throttle down...like it all got stuck.

So now I am just freaking out wondering what kind of damage has been done and whether Porsche will cover it or not if in fact it is clutch related.

Any advice would be appreciated....love this car but now I am not sure I trust it.

 

It sounds like the "Drive-by-wire" sensors failed; I once had this happen in my ZO6 Corvette. There is no longer a cable connecting the accelerator pedal to the throttle; it's now all electronic, and if one of the control sensors fail, havoc is sure to ensue.

The clutch smell is quite acrid and will linger, especially in the garage. I've had this happen once when the Hill Assist decided to try and ruin my day.

I understand it's frustrating, but this is a result of the wonderful world of electronics we now live in. To me, it's more like the "Christine" syndrome at times (John Carpenter's movie about the possessed car).

I wouldn't get an ulcer over it, just let the Porsche dealer repair the problem and try to put this enigma behind you.

Best of luck!

 

I would have the dealer check the time at which you were hitting the rev limiter for engine purposes.

 

The clutch is just a hydraulic/mechanical system so there can be a number of issues arising if something goes wrong. Of course generally nothing goes wrong. A clutch degrades due to normal wear/tear and that is all that happens.

Based on the symptoms I'd have to guess the clutch failed to fully engage. Why I can't say for sure. A mechanical problem prevented the clutch pressure plate from making full contact and at full pressure with the clutch disc.

Could be a pressure plate problem, a release bearing problem, or a fluid leak and there are I am sure other possible causes too.

Best get the car to a qualified shop for a diagnosis of what went wrong.

If something mechanical/hydraulic is found that takes off some pressure. But if "no problem found" then you have your work cut out for you.

The problem from your side is you have to convince the dealer service department you just didn't have a senior moment with the clutch.

 

Beg to differ with carrerapete; movie was written by Steven King

 

King wrote the book, but Carpenter made the movie; he'd also created much of the film's background music).

 

Thanks guys. Per Macster, my concern is that it may be easier for the Dealer to say it was me vs fight a warranty claim via Porsche...so I am expecting the worst but hoping for the best. Will let you know once its in and diagnosed....

 

I think you toasted the clutch . The RPM ran up to me sounds like the clutch was slipping under load . The awful smell sounds like it was burnt out.

I am guessing that you will need a new clutch .

 

The clutch has nothing to do with the throttle jumping to red-line without pressing down on the accelerator pedal.

Any clutch will burn if you release it slowly while the engine is racing, which sounds like what happened in this case.

The real question should be: "Why was the engine jumping to 7k with only moderate pressure to the accelerator pedal?"

Devil's advocate: the driver had a mental lapse and didn't realize he was flooring the gas pedal while slowly releasing the clutch.

 

Dealer Feedback - Sensor Failure Noted - Porsche replacing clutch...all should be well by Friday.

 

That's what I figured. I'm glad they'll be giving you a new clutch to go along with the sensor replacement.

Looks like you'll be good to go by the weekend--enjoy the car!

 

Now you've got to break in a new clutch. Despite what some think, do NOT drive it like you stole it.

Go easy for at least 500 miles, then let her rip. If you're hard on a new clutch, it can overheat and cause glazing, which creates its own set of issues and further accelerates wear.

The dealer may not be as kind a second time around. Good luck!

 

I think you toasted the clutch . The RPM ran up to me sounds like the clutch was slipping under load .

 

Poults:
Sorry about your issue, I know how frustrating things like that can be. I wouldn't worry about a warranty issue, it's all recorded anyway. Just get it into the dealer and let them take care of it.

ChuckJ
PS Wow, that was quick. Glad you got it taken care of.