Gearbox Oil in Tunnel!!

[pnzr911]

I just finished my engine install and have had my 911 "nose down" for three months. I noticed while installing new bushings in the shifter that there were small pools of gearbox oil in the tunnel between the seats. Im sure its gearbox oil because of the reddish color and the funky smell. I cleaned most of it up but now my gearbox makes a popping sound when shifing in and out of gear(2nd and 5th). I was wondering if its possible that the "nose down rear tires on ramps" had anything to do with the g-oil leaking into the tunnel? Or could I have damaged a seal? I did not remove the tranny from the car. Any info would be appreciated.


Thanks in advance!!

[ChrisBennet]

Anonymous poster,
It sounds like you have a leaking shifter seal. This can happen through wear - or when the transmission rests unsupported so the shifter rod is taking the load. Look in the tunnel behind the seats, is the "tube" still round or is it bent into an oval? Unless you are a professional trying to beat the book rate I see no reason to remove the engine without the transmission. Remove them together and then separate them.
Good luck and make sure you clean the tunnel or that stuff will really stink up the car.
-Chris

[Jim Sims]

Zimmerman warned about this in "The Used 911 Story"; transmission/car should be oriented to keep transmission oil off front seals if the engine was removed separately. It's going to be tough to get all the oil cleaned out of that tunnel; the smell may linger. Sorry. Was the transmission left so the shift rod was loaded against the tunnel opening by the weight of the hanging tranmission; if so, there may be a chance the shift rod is bent and or its seal is damaged but I'd check your shift coupler adjustment first. Cheers, Jima

[Early_S_Man]

The shift rod seal can be replaced while trans is still in the car ...

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_shifter_rod_seal/mult_shifter_rod_seal.htm

There is a good reason why the factory service manual says the engine & transaxle MUST be removed together as a unit!

[pnzr911]

Hmmmm wish Wayne had warned us about this in his 101 projects book. I will check again but don't remember anything about damaging this seal if the tranny was unsupported! Gee maybe he will give me a free seal(yeah right). Jim I did disconnect the coupler so the shift rod is not bent. I checked and yes Chris the darn seal is shaped like an oval! Thanks for the link Early S Man I will check it out. The reason I removed them seperately was Guess I better order a new one today. So I suppose the lack of fluid would explain the new balkyness of my gearbox it was very smooth before.

Thanks guys!

PNZR911
Alex S.