New Transmission Fluid?

[Wipeout]

When I had my clutch replaced in August (friction disk was breaking), the mechanic didn't have the right tranny fluid. His hours have changed and are very hard to match up with my work hours, so I'm probably going to take it to a jiffy lube or some other shop. To make sure they're doing it right, what fluid should they be using (don't have my manual at work).

[Panzer909]

If you really want the best of the best IMHO, buy some Swepco 201 and either do it yourself (its easier than changing engine oil) or have a shop do it if you're not comfortable. Its extremely expensive at $45-50 a tub, but well worth it. Why? well lemme tell you a story...........

When I recieved my car for the first time and literally drove it off the trailer, there was a distinct rumbling noise from the driveline. I didn't think much of it at the time, thinking that all Audi-designed trannys did this (my previous 944 was the same the entire time I had it) so I let it go for a few months.
Finally got around to buying the 17mm socket and drained the fluid. Was absolutely shocked to see only about a quart come out......and 2-3 small brass pieces!! Convinced this was the end for the transmission, I put in Swepco to buy a "little" more time.

That was almost seven years ago.

(No, I don't work for SouthWEst Petroleum COmpany)

[Wipeout]

Thanks Johnny.

I have a bit of the rumbling sound, too, which is why I wanna get this done. My problem is that I don't have a jack get down there and do it myself (otherwise I would).

Is Swepco 201 synthetic?

[Panzer909]

It doesn't look like it, but this can be done without a jack. I do it without one on purpose to assure the car is exactly level and never had a problem. It was trying to find that stupid 17mm hex socket for less than $20 that made me wait.

No - Swepco is not synthetic. Do a search on the 911 board about it and see what they had to say.

[Wipeout]

Hm, I'll have to stick my head under the car and take a look at where the drain and fill spots are...

[Panzer909]

Drivers side of the gearbox - right next to the CV. Be sure to remove the upper fill plug before the drain plug.

[Eldorado]

i took it to a quick-lube place a couple months after owning it.. they checked my transmission oil.. here's the conversation that took place.

them - "would you like us to check your fluid levels for you?"
me - "sure, might as well."
them (after about 5 minutes) - "um.. sir?"
me - "yes?"
them - "your transmission fluid....."
me (cutting them off) - "needs to be topped up?"
them - "no.. well, yes... umm... actually..... it's... well, it's gone."
me (after letting me look at it) - "oh."
them - "would you like us to service it?"
me - "umm.. i guess."

60 or so bucks later of 80w90 synthetic, my shifter felt a LOT better... lol

[Dantilla]

Both my 911 and 944 have Swepco in the tranny. Well worth it.

[Wipeout]

Thanks guys. I'll probably take it in this weekend when I've got some time. I'm hearing a bit of noise from back there so I want to at the very least top off the fluid!

[surfdog4]

when i looked up the Swepco 201 specs, it says it's a GL-5 oil..the other guys (i.e. redline) go out of their way to distinguish GL4 from GL5, something to do with the corrosion properties of the GL-4 on "yellow metal".

So has anyone had Swepco in long enough to see if they had any problems??

[Panzer909]

After my "scare" a few months after I bought my car in 2000 (read the earlier post above), I've used nothing but Swepco ever since. We're going on 7+ years on a tranny that should have been trashed a long time ago. You be the judge.........

[Wipeout]

I'm enjoying the Swepco myself. Ended up doing the work myself, pretty simple process once you get the car up in the air!