Addicted2Porsche

I have had my 928 (shark) 1986 S for about six months now, however, it was in storage about 145 miles from my home since I purchased it. When visiting my father (about 3 times) I did have the chance to get it out and drive it and get it cleaned up. I needs allot of cosmetic work, time and money put into it.

When drive it home last evening I made it 30 to 40 miles and then the transmission would not shift in to either 3rd or 4th gear. It would shift but then I could only do about 40 mph at about 4000 rpm. Sometimes the transmission does shift hard but not all of the time. The fluid level seems to be okay, when I put my finger into the fluid it felt okay and did not smell burnt. After stopping the car in a safe area off the freeway the back end of the car did smell a little hot. I then had the car brought home on a rollback turning a 3 hour trip into a 5 hour trip. I then drove the car today and every thin worked as normal.

Does anyone know what might cause a problem like this? How can I fix it, I have never done any trany work and I have to admit also makes me a little nervous. I really do not have $1500 to $3000 to take it to someone else. Please remember I am new and some times need thing simplified.

Ducman82

bunch of local help!
http://www.928buckeyelandsharks.com

i just moved from dayton.

I'm know very little about the automatics, or "roger boxes" as they are called here.. :-P
drop an email to the buckeyes, they may know a shop and or offer the local help you may need. lots of great people

MainePorsche

My first guess would be the fluid level. There are 3 markings on the reservoir where you look at the level. Level should be between Min and Max when car is level and is idling at operating temperature - not 2 minutes after start up. The other marking is for ambient temp level and is more or less meaningless. Let car run for a while and check level again. Start with this.

M. Requin

I agree with MainePorsche- there is a procedure for checking fluid level which must be rigorously followed to get it right. Your symptoms are completely consistent with getting it wrong. You can do a search here (be sure to use the correct MY!), and you can consult the WSM (download if you don't have it, preferably get the CD). Pretty easy fix when you do it right, and very rewarding!

Since you are new to the car, I add the obligatory warnings about fuel lines and flex plate. DO NOT IGNORE! Even the modest search functions of this forum will return a lot of info on these topics you need to pay heed to. And after all these downers, guess what, once sorted you are driving one of the best classics there is! Have fun, stay here, learn a lot! And of course, keep us posted. With pics. Mandatory.

MainePorsche

This was the give away that the fluid level was checked incorrectly.
The correct feeling you would have had on your finger was that it was as hot as... !

Addicted2Porsche

Well, I'm learning. I guess tomorrow I will take the car for a short drive to get everything warmed up, get it up in the air so that I can get under it with out getting burned and check the fluid again with it running and this time I will not stick my finger in the hot fluid if there is any in the tank.

MainePorsche

I'm not sure about taking that drive until you know the ATF level is good.
Are you able to get the car raised ? on 6 ton jack stands at the four points ? If so, get it up and level, start engine and let run until operating temperature hot. Slip under, wipe off the grime, and read the level. If low, add ATF while car running till appropriate level achieved. Then go for the ride.

Addicted2Porsche

I only have 2 jack stands, a set of drive up ramps and a 2 ton floor jack. I plan to set on end on the ramps and the place the other end the jack stands to get it level.

MainePorsche

If you can safely get it up and level, you'd be alright to get it done. I imagine you're filling via the reservoir - remove the cap before things get hot - it'll make it a little easier on you. Start the engine and the pump will suck down the reservoir (pan reserve). Add a little just so you know the running system has fluid - as the ATF heats, it expands - it will stop at its 'set point' for a given level when appropriately heated - this is where you begin to add ATF in order to finalize the deal.
What are you using as your fluid delivery apparatus ?
Remember, only Dexron VI !

Great looking cars !

Addicted2Porsche

Thank you the grey 1986 951 came first, the red 1991 S2 Cab. came second then I needed the 2004 Cayenne to drive in the winter, bought the 928 as a fixer. Not sure yet just know that it needs to be something with a tube and that I can squeeze to make it go up about a foot over my head.

SeanR

Check the ATF fluid level cold. Why risk more damage by driving something you already know doesn't work right?

MainePorsche

I bought something like this at my local NAPA type store. It fits over one of those large Lowes buckets that you would use to wash your cars. I gave a little more of a bend to the outlet "J" making it more of a "U" so it could rest on its own in the reservoir opening. It is not a pressure driven sealed unit so going through the fill port was unsuccessful. Works really well through the reservoir though - once operating temp and with fluid, I can lay under and watch the level - more fluid is a reach over to the pump handle.

Addicted2Porsche

Ramps did not work had to find a second set of jack stands. Used a device that is used to pump kerosine into the tank of a kerosine heater (only $6). I had to add 2 quarts. Looks like it is leaking from the front of the transmission in the area going up into the tunnel above the guard above the exhaust pipes. Placed cardboard under the car so the I can see where the leak is and see how large the leak is.

Jfrahm

Did it just puke out ATF from sitting a long time? Or is it always leaking?

Addicted2Porsche

Two quarts made all of the difference in the world. I have a slow leak and it looks like it is coming from the tunnel where the transmission lines run to the front of the car. Maybe from one of the connections just before the transmission, and maybe from the transmission fluid cooler.