I bought my 02 996 Turbo with 39K mi. on it and it now has 45K mi. I was having a problem with 3 - 2 downshifts grinding a bit at high RPM. When I went for my 45k oil change I had the mechanic change the transmission oil and inspect what came out. It turns out the tranny oil had neer been changed. The magnetic plug looked like a porcupine (the mechanic said this is normal as long as there are no chunks) and the oil was black and gooey. I have the documentation that the 30K mi. service was done so I thought the dealer had screwed up and not changed it. The mechanic told me that the tranny oil is only inspected at 30K mi., not changed.

I have always changed tranny oil every other engine oil change (10K mi.). How often do you all change your tranny oil?

Beware of what you "think" is being done.

BTW, The 3-2 downshift problem is gone!

 

The great news is that the downshift problem is gone.

I've rebuilt a couple of P car trannys. If you've ever had to buy a gear set or input shaft it will make you be very kind to your tranny. I change my gear oil every 7500 miles. It's easy and cheap.

 

Any DIY for this? What tools are required? Thanks.

 

There's not much to it. Buy two washers at the dealer at about $1.25/each. Warm the car up a bit. Put it on jack stands (level). Always loosen the fill plug first. It's a 10MM allen IIRC. Then loosen the drain plug. Also a 10MM. Add the fill you like to the bottom of the fill plug. I like Redline NS but that's a whole religious discussion. I use a $4 one quart pump you buy at AutoZone to put on the bottles. I don't have torque specs but the plugs are just a bit beyond snug.

The 996tt is pretty easy because there is no cooler in the way like a GT3.

It's about 3 qts IIRC but the number is in the manual.

That's a readers digest version. Not much to screw up as long as you jack the car correctly and take out the fill plug first to avoid being stuck with a drained tranny if you can't get it out.

 

change mine every other track weekend. peace of mind and easy shifting.

 

A very good practice and advice. It's amazing how much heat the transaxles in the tt's generate on the track. It gets that nasty burnt sulpher smell when it gets used up.

 

After talking to several Porsche transmission experts, I'm going to use the OEM fill.

 

So....

You heard it from some of the most knowledgeable members...

It amazes me that Porsche doesn't recommend more frequent changes, especially since it's not harder or more expansive than engine oil changes.

My "new" mechanic at All German Auto in Escondido agrees with Tom. If you drive it as it's intended (race track) more frequent changes are needed and cheap insurance.

He also recommended since mine went so long without a change that I change it again in 1000mi. The new oil acts like a detergent and since mine was so dirty it will need it.

If you're like me and bought a car with more than 20K on it, run out and get yours changed TODAY!

 

I have a 2003 TT with 8,000 miles. I'm sure the tranny fluid has never been changed. Since the car will be in the shop next week getting the Europipe exhaust installed, would you recommend having my indy change it while it's in the shop....

 

No doubt, change it. Just make sure he fills it with what you want. The Mobil 1 factory is prefered by many and there are numerous threads on gear oil discussions.

 

I've changed mine.......and by far (way far) the front differential oil is really cooked long before the trans lube. So is you are sweating the trans, then do the front diff. at the same time.

 

Agreed, I also did the front diff at the same time. Strangely, the front diff oil is changed at the 30K mi. service????

 

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...90_80W-140.asp

For those that want to know.. This is the factory fill.

 

Which one?

Is this fluid available outside the dealer?

 

Dock,

email me at

martymillworksolutions@yahoo.com
there is an alternative oil.

MK