pcar964

Lately I've noticed slightly notchy shifting, not as smooth as it used to be. I think that it's time to change the manual transmission fluid anyway, but is it possible that I'm LOW on transmission fluid? How do you check the fluid level, is there a dipstick or a viewing window? I've looked but can't find either.

I couldn't find anything using the Search on RL, or Robin's p-car site, or even Pelican... you guys are my best resource!

Racer944

While I am not 100% familiar with doing this on a 993 yet, If its anyting like the other Porsches I have owned, you remove the fill plug on the transmission and the fluid should be at or very near the point of overflowing out. Stick your finger in the hole and you can get a good feel for what level it is at. Add lube to the point of very slight overflow.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong and the 993 is different...

Cheers;
Eric

Ray Calvo

Agree with Racer944 (whoever he is), only:

- Oil should be warmed up
- Car should be level (have fun jacking it up to crawl underneath!)

Also, use 75W90 lubricant. My 993 has 91K miles running on this juice, and shifts fine.

pcar964

Thanks guys, I'll give it a shot. Is there any danger in over-filling it?

viperbob

Not really a danger of overfilling. When it starts to run out the fill plug, just stop putting more in... Let it sit for a few seconds then if you are filling it from scratch after changing all the oil. It takes time when refilling for the new oil to get into all the spots needed in the tranny / diff area. Let is sit, and then try to put in more until it comes out again.

pcar964

Thanks Bob!

kkim

When's the last time it was changed? I try to change mine every year(approx. 10-15k/yr). I used Mobil 1 gear oil the last time and really like it over the Redline I tried first.

JasonAndreas

If the oil is warm and you remove the fill plug won't the oil pour out the side? When you refill the transmission the oil is room temperature and the proper level is just at the opening. So if your checking the level and the oil is warm (and has expanded) it would dump out onto the ground?

pcar964

I just followed the directions on p-car.com, and after a 15 minute test drive it doesn't really feel any better. I used Mobil 1 75W-90. I doubt the synchros are shot, because when I got the car they felt fine, and I am very easy on a gearbox, even on the track. I might drain it again tomorrow and try a different oil, because I'm really not happy with the result - there's no grinding of any kind, but it's just stiff and notchy even when warm.

Does anyone think this could be indicative of a clutch adjustment problem? I should have mentioned earlier, sometimes the car doesn't want to come out of gear even with the clutch fully depressed.

kkim

Sounds like it could be a clutch actuation problem... like you might not be getting full travel to disengage the clutch during shifts. Try bleeding the slave cylinder and see if that helps. If you've changed the fluid, I doubt changing to another would clear the symptoms you're having.

autobonrun

you're checking the level first, however if you ever decide to go straight to a fluid change, always remove the fill plug first anyway. I'm speaking from SC experience, but you want to be certain the fill plug will come out and has not binded. If you drain the fluid then find out you can't remove the fill plug, you're stuck.

By the way, is Swepco 201 a recommended fluid for 993's like the older cars?

pcar964

I think you're right, but I've had the clutch slave cylinder bled recently (before last track event).

chris walrod

Swepco is great for the 915 pre-borg warner syncro system. It has a friction modifyer to help grab the clutch rings (syncros). Stick with Mobil1 and you'll be fine.

When checking or changing the oil, be sure the car is level. If warm, you may get a little spillage. No worries either way

User 4221

If it hasn't been mentioned yet....... Always remove the fill plug before removing the drain plug.

I have heard of many 928s who drained their before removing the fill plug. Then guess what.... They couldn't get the fill plug out. Bummer!

pcar964

You guys were right, the fill plug was difficult to remove, I had to resort to a hammer to lovingly "tap" the hex key to get it loose. No problems though. Now I can try to convince myself to go for the LWF/RS clutch upgrade, maybe that will cure the problem