915 tranny oil top up, dont know whats in there

[3.0schotrod]

So im having my head studs done in Feb by a Porsche mechanic, my gear shift is sticky from cold so I want to check the level, if its down I need to top up before I take the car to him in Feb, I don't know what it is currently filled with. With that in mind, what would anyone recommend me topping up with if required. Im in Canada so we typically don't have access to a lot of the good stuff (not easily anyway, why is that ?? like Swepco or Kendall.

I can typically get Joe Gibbs, Redline, Royal Purple

Obviously I don't know if it has dino or synthetic in there, also worth bearing in mind.

The guy who will do the head studs will also change the tranny oil at the time of the job (I guess I need to find out what he will use )

Thanks

[Mick_D]

If the transmission oil is being changed in a month. you ought to be able to top off now with almost anything without doing damage to the transmission. It probably isn't a good idea to mix synth and dino but how many miles will you drive it before it gets changed out?

[Jerome74911S]

Most synthetics say that they will mix with dino without an issue, so don't worry about what's in there for the short use you project.

I am able to get Kendall more easily (local shop) than any of the alternatives you mention. Never mind, use any proper weight gear oil for the short term.

[Matt Monson]

Don't ever put synthetic in a 915.

If it has notchy shifting when cold it's probably got plenty in there. These gearboxes don't ever shift well until they are warmed up this time of year.

[Jerome74911S]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Don't ever put synthetic in a 915.

If it has notchy shifting when cold it's probably got plenty in there. These gearboxes don't ever shift well until they are warmed up this time of year.

That's good advice, Matt, and probably there isn't any synthetic in there. However, the OP only wants to 'top up' the oil for a very short period of time. With a tiny bit of oil added just to drive it to his mechanic could a few ounces of synthetic do any harm?

Anyway, if the OP finds that there is enough oil in the box to drive the car to his mechanic - meaning that if he sticks his finger into the fill hole and discovers oil - then he should not bother to add anything for his trip to his mechanic. If he can't find any oil in there with his finger, then yes, he should add oil and not worry.

[joe payne]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Don't ever put synthetic in a 915.

If it has notchy shifting when cold it's probably got plenty in there. These gearboxes don't ever shift well until they are warmed up this time of year.

+1 My SC is a bear to shift when its cold. When its warm out it's so much easier.
I would recommend using Kendall as its easier to shift when its cold.

[tonythetarga]

How do you know it is low? You can open the fill hole, and check. If any seeps or drips out or if you can put your pinky in and touch oil, you have enough. You probably need the coupling adjusted and you should have it done by someone who knows what they're doing. These can be tricky.
Where are you located. No doubt you can get a good rec for a shop from guys here.
+1 on no synthetic for the 915

[javadog]

Don't bother adding any oil. Just spend your time getting some decent oil shipped to you. I'd suggest Kendall.

JR

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Jerome74911S

That's good advice, Matt, and probably there isn't any synthetic in there. However, the OP only wants to 'top up' the oil for a very short period of time. With a tiny bit of oil added just to drive it to his mechanic could a few ounces of synthetic do any harm?

I made an assumption based on his "I can usually get" comment. I assumed he would have to buy whatever he was using to top it up. And if that's the case, he should buy what he wants to run in there long term when the mechanic refills it with fresh oil. Sorry I wasn't more explicit.

[Mick_D]

Dammit Matt! Always confusing the issue with plain truth and facts, not to mention COMMON SENSE.

[jjeffries]

You can mail order a case of Kendall for approx $80 delivered in the US. That what I did. John in CT.

[3.0schotrod]

Thanks for all the advice, just to be clear

I haven't had the car long so I don't know whats in there and I don't have any oil of any kind on hand to top up with

If I go to the trouble of jacking and supporting the car and take the fill plug off, stick my finger in and don't feel any oil, I want something on hand to top off with there and then, but I cant get Swepco or Kendall easily or quickly, only redline, royal purple or maybe joe gibbs

So I want to go buy a quart of something dino to top off with if I need to before I drive to the mechanic, ita a 2 hour trip

Hope that helps, I had read no synthetic for 915 many times before so im looking for a readily available (In Canada) dino oil,

Thanks

[javadog]

If you jack it up in the garage, consider jacking up both ends so you get an accurate check of the oil level. If you jack up just the rear end, you are not going to get an accurate idea of the oil level. Make sure you clean well around the fill plug before removing it, so you don't introduce dirt into the gearbox.

Frankly, unless this thing is leaking like the Exxon Valdez, it's going to survive a two hour road trip. It's made it this far...

[Matt Monson]

I don't think you'll have any trouble finding a quart of Castrol or Valvoline dino gear oil at a local auto parts store.

In the meantime order up some Brad Penn from Turn3 in BC.

Products | Turn3Autosport

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by javadog

Don't bother adding any oil. Just spend your time getting some decent oil shipped to you. I'd suggest Kendall.

JR

This. Forget a top up or anything else. The oil is cheap compared to any single part of the transmission. When in doubt, change it all out.

[SCadaddle]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

This. Forget a top up or anything else. The oil is cheap compared to any single part of the transmission. When in doubt, change it all out.

Agreed.
The drain plug should have a magnet in it. Drain it all out and take a look at the residue on the magnet to give you some insight on what is wearing in the transmission. It will hold 3 quarts, but if you are using one of the plastic pumps that fits the plastic oil container you'd better buy 4 quarts to make sure you get 3 quarts into the gearbox.

[0396]

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

Agreed.
The drain plug should have a magnet in it. Drain it all out and take a look at the residue on the magnet to give you some insight on what is wearing in the transmission. It will hold 3 quarts, but if you are using one of the plastic pumps that fits the plastic oil container you'd better buy 4 quarts to make sure you get 3 quarts into the gearbox.

This makes tooo much sense

[dyusem]

Swepco #201 is the best gear oil for a 915 tranny.

[mreid]

Oh...here we go...