I have an 01' 996. When I accelerate from a standing start, sometimes as I realease the clutch there is a squeal, like a loose belt. It lasts for only a second and stops once the clutch is realeased. It only happens occasionally and ussually only as I am engaging 1st gear. Does this mean it is clutch replacement time?

Thanks

 

And you are positive it is not the drive belt squealing?

Could be the guide tube, release bearing, and fork need replacement, which means a new clutch.

 

Not sure at all what it is. I just assumed that because it happens as I am letting out the clutch that it was probably the clutch. Any suggestions on how to diagnos?

 

how many miles and where was the serpentine belt replaced last. It is really hard to diagnose sounds over the internet unfortunately. I would replace the $30 belt before diving into the $2000 clutch job. Putting load on the engine may cause the belt to slip slightly if it is worn.

 

I think PorscheDoc has the right idea on the first thing to do - replace the belt and make sure it is properly tightened, etc.

And before digging into the clutch I'd check every other non-clutch thing, too, such as just the mechanism leading from pedal to clutch housing, etc.

One diagnostic thing to check - not going to tell you a lot but it might reveal something, and it is an easy test. These cars are pretty easy to start out in second gear without doing damage to anything (and if you have a bad clutch, yes, you possibly could make a really bad clutch a tad worse, but if that is the case then you're going to replace it soon anyway, right?)-- when you start out in second, do you get a squeak? That very same squeak, or worse, or different?