machisono

I changed the oil in my 2004 Cayenne S (tiptronic) and I mistakenly emptied (approximately 1/3 of a qt.) from the small tank of what I thought was engine oil. I then went back and discovered the 2 tanks that held engine oil. So I changed the oil and filter and that was uneventful.

With an ominous feeling that I may have drained off some ATF, I went for a drive and I hear a grinding when I hit approximately 30 MPH.

Your thoughts and a remedy are appreciated.

joe

19psi

How about a description of what the tank looks like, the location and maybe the color/consistency of the fluid that drained out?

machisono

After I read my post it maybe helpful to add that the tank that I emptied about 1/3 of a quart was located near the passenger front tire. thanks

machisono

hi george,
the color and viscosity looked like engine oil. I will see if i can get a pic and post it

machisono

I didn't load a pic of the main oil reservoir, when I drained that approximately 7-8 quarts emptied.

the flyin' scotsman

the pic looks like the transfer case......I wouldnt drive it anymore until absolutely sure and filled to the correct level and correct oil.

hahnmgh63

Does the V6 Cayenne have two drain plugs like the V8's? Looks like the bottom of the oil pan.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-MAKE...pTFJ3J&vxp=mtr
2nd upper drain plug. Will only get a little out of it. Remove both to let all of the oil drain.

machisono

Hi Malcolm,

So I mistakenly emptied a small amount of ATF

machisono

Hi Malcolm,
yes it is my transfer case. I have the equipment to replace the ATF. Is Valvoline Dex/Merc ATF acceptable. I used this to replace my ATF in the '91 C2

thank you
joe

hahnmgh63

Sorry, missed the first pic. You need a ATF that meets Esso LT71141 spec. Many good Synthetic ATF's meet this spec but only a few conventional ATF's do. http://content.valvoline.com/pdf/maxlife_atf.pdf Double check your bottle but looks like it doesn't meet the spec. I would only use it in a an emergency. See if you can find Redline D4 ATF or any that list the Esso spec on the bottle.

machisono

here is a slightly better photo but i cannot see where to put in fluid

machisono

front differential. Research continues

endless_corners

Look at the bright side. That atf has been in there for 12 years. It's certainly not going to hurt anything to change it. Redline makes some good stuff that meets spec and is easy to find without breaking the bank. I think the two diffs need a heavier gear oil and the transfer case takes atf.

fortysixandtwo

The front differential takes almost a liter of 75W-90 synthetic differential oil. You fill it through a hole in the differential's front cover, which is a few inches up from where you drained the fluid from and facing the front of the vehicle. It will be the exact same plug as the drain plug. Access is really tight so you will have to cut an allen wrench down to fit. Getting oil back in will require a transfer pump, or at very least some hose attached to the oil jug and a lot of squeezing to push the into the differential housing. Its full when oil starts to pour out of the hole.
Hopefully the gear surfaces were not damaged and the differential stays quiet for a long time after putting oil back in. In the mean time do not drive it without oil.

Edit: Without a doubt your last picture is of the front differential. Of the two bolts you have circled, the one facing down is the differential drain plug, the one facing to the drivers side of the car holds the axle tube to the differential housing; you definitely do not want to loosen that one.

kjbu

Last summer I changed oil in both differentials, transfer case and automatic transmission on my 2004. 3 of them had the same oil type. Easy change on diffs and transfer case. Felt the car got smoother after this.
Pilicanparts.com has very good guides how to do it.