How to install Swepco

1. Loosen filler plug with dandy 17mm Allen key. Make sure you can remove it as you'll probably want to fill the transmission back up with SwepcoŽ.

2. Loosen drain plug until you can turn it with your fingers. Place drain pan underneath tranny. Remove drain plug. Tranny will drain for a good 15 minutes. Take the opportunity to place jug of SwepcoŽ in a pan of very hot water to help warm it up so you can actually get it through the cheap peice of crap pump you bought at Autozone.

3. It's not done draining yet. Get some coffee.

4. Check the transmission. It's probably still dribbling fluid. Take the opportunity to check the 911 forum on Pelican. Take a picture of your drain plug which has few metal shavings on it, and be happy that there's no dogteeth stuck to it.

5. Finally! The transmission has stopped draining. Put that drain plug back on with a torque of 24nm. Now, curse over the stupid cheap-ass pump you bought at AutoZone and its inferior construction. Cobble together the pump, and insert the output line into the filler hole. Hang the line to the side near the clutch cable so the line doesn't "wick" fluid out of the filler as the goo gets pumped in.

6. Pump for a while until your arm gets tired. You're gonna pump for a while at this, so have plenty of subjects to think about while you try to pump what's essentially mayonnaise through a small line.

7. Make a mental note to simply throw the SwepcoŽ in the microwave next time. Loosen the cap first, of course.

8. Marvel over the heady odor of the pretty blue fluid that's being wicked out of the filler hole anyway despite the fact that you moved the line to the side. Make a mental note to clean up that mess with some paper towel later.

9. When fluid seems to be wicking out of the transmission at an unprecedented rate, it's probably getting full. Let the fluid settle for a few minutes, and see if you can't get a couple more pumps in there. Pull your SwepcoŽ Wick out of the filler hole and put the filler hole plug in. Tighten to 24nm.

10. Clean up the mess under your transmission. Get the car down off its jackstands, and start the car. After a couple of minutes of running in neutral, check to make sure there's no leaks under the car. Decide that you can't tell a leak from an earlier spill, and take her out for a spin.

11. Get the car fully warmed up. Stop somewhere where you can check the transmission. Make sure there's no leaks by letting it sit for a few minutes running and then check for any droplets.

12. If everything's cool, take the long way home. Marvel at the slippery smoothness of the transmission. Enjoy until next year.

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Thanks to everyone on this forum for talking me into doing this finally. It made a HUGE difference in feel. And it was easier than an oil change.

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2
1987 Escort 5-speed 1.9 RIP
The Porsche Owners Gallery

The only thing I would add to Mark's excellent post (he should work for Swepco), is to use a suction gun to add the lube. You just pull the plunger back, take the end off and fill with lube, put cap back on and shoot it in the hole. I think my gun held about a half litre, so it takes a few hits to fill the tranny. And yes, leave the Swepco jug out in the sun for a while to make it flow easier.


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Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm

I am about to do this tomorrow!.
My first purchase from Pelican Parts Swepco tranny fluid!
I plan to use one of those pumps you put on the end of a drill!.
Anyone tried this?
Will let you know how it works out!.
Have removed alternator etc. to paint fan and housing Matt Black Awlgrip (Marine 2 part paint).
Man! I'm gonna be a regular wrench at this pace!!!
All with you guys Pelican tech notes and Bentleys aiding me!.
Cheers!
Ben

Old Skull or anyone,
Where can you get a 17mm Allem Key?
Any major stores you can think of as it's rather large!.
Thought I had the tool for the job, got all set up only to be disappointed.
thanks, Ben

Ben,

If you find a VW specialty shop it will be a lot cheaper there ... $4-$6! But, for a regular parts strore, tell them to look in the 'specialty tools' catalog, under drain plugs for VW transaxles.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Thanks warren, will try the local VW shop tomorrow,Rgsd Ben

How much fluid should one buy to do this?

What should I put in my freshly rebuilt tranny. Royal Purple tranny oil or Swepco?
Which is better?
Any suggestions?

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Kenneth
Silver 81' Targa

You'll need a gallon of Swepco. That's 3.875l, which is just a little more than enough.

Yes, I strongly recommend the Swepco for any freshly built tranny. It might make sense to "break it in" for a couple thousand miles with some Castrol, and then swap in the Swepco, but it's up to you.

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2
1987 Escort 5-speed 1.9 RIP
The Porsche Owners Gallery

Ben, BTW If you can't find a VW shop, sears has the allen for $12.

Dante

Nobody's going to mention the 17 mm hex head bolt and pipe wrench hack? Also, a length of copper or nylon tubing and funnel will let gravity do the work for you. As mentioned, heating the oil helps. Probably a good idea to have the car level - jack up both front and rear - to make sure you get the right amount of oil in there.

Chris.

Thanks Dante, I will also check if there is a Sears near me, good tip!.
Ben

Ben,

I used the drill pump when I did the fluid on my 92 AWD Talon for the trans., transfer case, and rear diff. It went quite slow even in the summer time with Redline fluids. I'd choose another method unless you can find a drill pump with source and discharge lines larger than the tiny pencil size lines on my pump.

The suction gun or the hand pump works good. Gravity is best, just buy enough tubing. I must have had much better luck or a less crappy pump than old-skul. I was quite pleased with the hand pump results for my job.


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Kevin
87 Carrera

What does the list think about Redline Synth tranny oil? They were very popular with the BMWCCA members (my old cars). I bought 4 quarts before I saw that everyone here likes Swepco. Any reason not to use Redline since I don't see it mentioned ever?
Thanks,
Buck

Buck,

If you've got an 88, you want to go with the synthetic stuff. G50's benefit more from the syn. stuff than the 915's (or so i've heard).

I had great results with Redline on my AWD Talon trans. We'll see with my 911 (used Swepco last season before I knew otherwise).


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Kevin
87 Carrera

[This message has been edited by KTL (edited 03-26-2001).]

Kevin,
Only just saw your post.
I used the drill pump (available from yachting stores) it worked great and pumped the cold fluid in about 30 seconds with left rear wheel removed and car level!.
highly reccomend this method!. But when I say cold I mean Florida 80 degrees cold!.
For more fun and games see demolition derby post!!!!
rgds Ben

PS Oh I got a great 17mm/1/2 drive socket from Vertex for about $20, great as it gives options of how you use it (ratchet or bar extension etc.)
local Pep boys and Napa had nothing and nearest Sears 1 1/2 hrs.