Transmission Fluid Issue
 

Need a little help and advise. Attempted to change my transmission fluid this afternoon after lifting the rear of the car up and putting it on jack stands. I was able to remove the fill plug and some fluid did come out (more than I thought prior to putting catch pan in place).

Problem is the drain plug is a little chewed up and hex socket would not sit properly for me to remove the plug. I'm a little concerned when I lowered the car and attempted to put some fluid back in to replace what came out which was more than I thought should have come out. Every attempt to add more fluid it just came right back out and the car was level.

I'm worried that he fluid that drained out (maybe a qt.) being an issue until I get it to a shop to remove the drain plug and get it replaced. I did drive the car this afternoon (very short distance) and it seems fine. I've been doing the work myself and does anyone know a good Porsche shop in Manassas?

Thanks,
John

:( That sucks, I can't even get my plugs out. Someone really torqued them down!

With your car level, NO fluid should come out the fill hole. An overfilled tranny is not a good thing.

As far as remving the drain plug, therer are numerous threads on this topic, so a search is in order. If it was me, I would try terms like Drain Transmission plug stuck. FWIW, I do not have this problem as mine is an "outie".

Transmission oil is not as critical as engine oil, in terms of moderate driving for reasonable distances--or even more, frankly. It's an oil bath, basically, and if there's enough in there to splash around and lube the gears for awhile, you're fine. Transmissions can live on very little actual oil for moderate, short-term driving.

I would'nt worry about it being overfull either, its not an automatic, and I dont think you could overlube the synchros. I would really like to know how anyone got so much in there.

It is my understanding that an overfill can cause you to damage the shifter seal and get a leak. As Formerly Steve Wilkinson notes, you do not need much oil in the Tranny and you can be a bit low with little risk of long term damage.

I do agree that I would like to know how you can overfill one, I have done a few and it is hard to go over the fill hole without creating a huge mess.

Maybe the overfill occurred if the last time the car had the fluid replaced (which I didn't own at the time) it was raised just on the drivers side and then filled.

Tips on how to open the bottom internal hex plug:
Confirm it's 17mm.
Tools needed:
Small floor jack or bottle jack.
17mm Allen wrench (Or 17mm Socket 1/2" drive)
Breaker bar 1/2" drive.

Raise the car securely/safely.

If you don't have a 17mm socket:
Take a long 17mm Allen wrench.
Cut about 2.5 inches from the long end (A zip blade will do it)
Put that short piece into a 17mm, 1/2" drive socket with a breaker bar.
Insert the tool into the hex while pressing with the bottle jack (Or floor jack) from underneath.
Yank hard on the breaker bar and you'll be rewarded.

It takes a little maneuvering; you can do it. :)

Make sure that the edge of the 17mm insert is flush/sharp so that it can bite into the hex.
Grind the edge flush if necessary.
Allen sockets and wrenches are too round at the tip and will not go deep enough into the shallow hex.
Have fun. :)