You can just drop the gearbox. Takes about 3 hrs...

 

Man this sucks. Worse than the cracking my oil cooler with the jack thread.

 

Well, after so many years of working on my cars I feel quite stupid in this case.
No need trying to explain / excuse how this happened...

But because engine wasn't started after this, I'm sure there's no more damage.

Question is how to reduce upcoming cost. As I have no experience in gearbox at all, this needs to be done at a local expert.
Should I remove the gearbox for repair or should I leave the job up for the expert completely.

From what I read about gearbox removal without engine, this seems not the easiest task when never done before...

Thanks for your support and condolences anyway...

 

Taking it out isn't bad, putting it back in is. Did you think that was the fill plug?

 

Yep.... Changed Oil on the Tiptronic of another 996 two weeks ago... Fill plug was in that area on that gearbox.... wasn't concentrated today and the hex bolt had clear signs of been removed before.... not virgin...

 

If you thought this was the fill plug, I'd leave the R&R of the trans to the experts. **** happens. It sucks.

 

My sympathies. We all screw up occasionally.

 

Is it the item # 19 on this picture of the parts cat? I don't understand why this ball can fall in the gearbox since this ball is always under pressure by the spring in his recess?

 

Maybe the spring escaped when the bolt was removed? Is the ball still in there or did that fly away too?

 

...this are the things which hurt most, as they support my perception of own stupidity. I've perfomed so many more complex tasks over the years like replacing timing belt on the Jaguar V6 or the complete overhaul including RHD - LHD conversion of my Lotus Elise... but this time... I believe in Tennis its called unforced error.

Unfortunately its not this one... when removing the Bolt I heard the typical "ploink" when something comes loose and falls down. Must have held the lever in place, responsible for the right/left movement of the shift stick.

Will disconnect the three shafts preventing any gearbox movement, ask the neighbour borrowing me his trailor, and take it to the garage...

 

Sorry mate, it happens to the best of us, even certified Porsche mechanics...waaay more than you'd ever expect. So sure, you can feel bad about it but don't bludgeon yourself over the head with it too much. Do you have a good relationship with a trusty indie repair close to you?

 

Does the gear box really need to come out?
Access hole or through the diff.?

 

so….. this one came off and fell down in the Gearbox.
no other option than gearbox out and stripping it down

 

Does anyone know what item 14 is for on these gearboxes? I don't see these on the standard carrera boxes and am wondering if It is needed or not. Same question for item 2. Mine was missing when the gearbox was pulled. It seem to help close the hole for the flywheel sensor. How critical is it?

 

If it ain't there and the diagram says it should be, I would think it is fairly critical.