Harder to get into second after transmission fluid change
 

Hi Folks,

I just changed the 10+ year old transmission fluid that was in my 915 (I have had the car for 8 years, but just got it back on the road last year). Anyway the fluid that came out was brown and pretty nasty, but no metal bits on the magnet. I put in the Kendall 80w90 Hypoid gear oil (3+ quarts).

My problem now is that it seems harder to shift into 2nd. The rest of the gears seem ok, and downshifting into 2nd is easier then shifting up. In fact when I was driving tonight, the car popped out of 2nd. I am wondering if maybe I need to do a shift coupler adjustment. Would that make any sense at all? Also, I have a Seine Gate shift installed, and it feels like maybe it is putting to much spring pressure sideways.

I guess my question is, would changing the transmission fluid ever require a shift coupler adjustment after?

To answer your question-no it shouldn't require coupler adjustment.

Do it anyway and check your bushings associated with the shifter and linkage. Most likely it is coincidence.

How many miles on the geabox? The 2nd gear snychro may be on it's last legs and this brought it to light.

I would try Swepco as it seems to work the best in these boxes.

These transmissions require an oil with a GL5 rating. Not sure but that you have the wrong Kendall oil. I have used Swepco, and In extreme cases I have used Redline NS. Swepco is known for solving these types of issues, but redline works better in a cold environment.

Both are GL5 oils. Look on your old bottle and see what it says.

For your reading enjoyment...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/524583-swepco-transmission-fluid-question.html

Your comment that the trans "popped out of" 2nd speed, but that you don't mention "crunching" going into gear, or finding dog teeth on the magnet, makes me think linkage first and internal problem next. Start by making sure that the bottom few inches of the shift lever (below the bend) are absolutely vertical. Do this by crawling head first into the car, under the steering wheel, in order to achieve a sight line to a garage wall stud, or an outdoor light post or similar, through the open passenger door. Be aware that the neutral gate will have a small amount of fore-aft movement, so the middle of that play will be where the lever should be vertical.

I'm not familiar with your gate shifter, other than the name, but short shifters make the accuracy of the vertical adjustment more important. I think that you will find that your shifter has a forward bias with the neutral setting favoring first gear. If you need to correct the adjustment you must loosen the coupler clamp and move the shifter as necessary.

Interesting take on sighting the shifter for neutral, Pete.

I'll have to try that the next time I'm messin' around with the 911.