When reverse doesn't want to reverse.
 

I was driving around last night after changing the tranny oil to Swepco 201 oil and I had a bit of a problem. When I tried to put in reverse, the gear seemed locked. It wouldn't let me slip it into gear until I moved the shift lever into 1st then 2nd and moved it side to side in neutral.

Am I looking at a rebuild? If so, can I do it myself or is it best left to those with the tools and know how?

My mechanical abilities are OK and I feel that I can do the job but will I spend more on the tools and parts needed compared to shipping it to someone who does this for a living?

If you did not such problem before, and have that immediately after the change of oil, then ... I would;

1. use the other brand of oil (if it ain't broke, ...)
2. adjust your shift linkage (most likely)

3. Drive it some more until you absolutely need a rebuild. At that time, is is a scale of difficulty of 9 out of 10 to do a tranny on a Porsche, and requires many special tools to make it fast. Otherwise, buy a rebuilt one.

it's common for reverse not to engage until you either let out the clutch a bit to turn the gears so they line up better, or engage another gear first to do the same. see if the problem continues. i doubt if gear oil had anything to do with it.

Would a clutch adjustment help? This actually started before I changed the oil so I don't think that it has anything to do with this.

Had the same problemon my SC. adjusted the clutch, replaced the cable and everything is ok now.

Just as JW said.......

My 83SC has 110K, new clutch, cable, 1 and 2 syncro's, and does exactly as you describe. I've made a habit of nudging 2nd prior to reverse and seldom have trouble. If that don't work, momentarily ease out the clutch a little and repeat. I don't think it's my shifter adjustment, since it shifts well in all the other gears.

Just another of Porsches idiosyncracies, I guess

Thanks for the comments. I will adjust the clutch and take a look at the linkage this weekend.