GWTurboS

Hi Guys,

Anyone remember what size hex key is required to take out the drain plug on the driver's side of the transaxle? My largest hex key is a 16mm, and that was way too small.

Thanks in advance!

GW

Ski

17mm

GWTurboS

Thanks Ski. Luckily I work one block away from Harbor Freight Tools!!

GW

jerome951

GWTurboS,

First of all, I'd call you lucky for working near a HF store.

If HF doesn't have one, I found a set of 15, 17, & 19mm 1/2" drive at Autozone for ~$10.

If you still can't find anything, a bolt with a 17mm head works well. Just double-nut it and put a wrench on it.

As always, remove the FILL PLUG FIRST. You'd feel really silly after draining your transaxle and finding you can't get the fill plug out.

Good luck,
Jerome

eclou

That is about the most awesome trick I have heard in awhile!!

Grey Dog

My advice on those darn fill plugs: If you can't get that sucker out, put the 17mm wrench in and clamp it tight with a jumbo pair of vice-grips, add 24" breaker bar and she'll crack loose. Make sure you have a spare fill plug, the old one is now spent.

toddk911

then what type of fluid and how much to re fill?

toddk911

also, which one is the fill and which is drain??

Grey Dog

I used Redline, with friction modifier since I have the Porsche clutch style LS diff. Check their site, or Paragons.

According to the 944 service manual, the case takes approx. 2 liters. You fill the case until the level is 6-8 mm BELOW the bottom edge of the filler hole. How you measure that is anyones guess ! Use the pinky-finger measuring device.

Sam Lin

todd, think about your second question for just 5 seconds, please!

Sam

MySwiss

For those,like me, who don't have a 17mm hex or allen. I use a VW wheel stud with 2 nuts on it. It's a perfect match. You might need to use some heat, if it hasen't been drained in years.

Good luck

GWTurboS

Job completed successfully! Thanks for all the help. Just bought this car used with 61,000 original miles and the original transaxle oil had never been changed out! Came out looking totally black. Used Mobil 1 GL-5 and the gearbox is much happier now.

BTW, my second gear is a little hard to engage (have to keep pressure on the shift fork when releasing the clutch) but once in gear, it doesn't hop out. Jeff at Transaxle Service in Chatsworth, CA. seems to be the only guy in the L.A. area who actually tears down the gearbox himself. Anyone else have any recommendations for good gearbox repair place in So Cal?

-GW-
88 951 Turbo S

cpt_koolbeenz

I was wondering why some transaxles want the level 6mm below and some want the level exactly at the bottom of the filler plug. If you have an oil cooler on your tranny I was under the impression that filling it to the bottom of the fill port is acceptable...

Can anyone confirm? Will there be any problems with filling it to the bottom of the fill plug anyway?

toddk911

GWTurboS

You really notice a difference???

GWTurboS

Shifter feels the same, but less noise coming from the trans.

-GW-