HELP! transmission fluid leaking from drain bolt!

[ASpec818]

Im in the process of replacing my tranny fluid. I got all the fluid in but now the drain bolt is leaking. I tried tightening it again but for some reason, it doesn't seem like it threads all the way in. it makes a little pop after 2 turns. Is there supposed to be a washer in that bolt? or did i mess the bolt up somehow?

*update*
I removed the drain plug and immediately noticed a metal ring in the plug. It appears the ring is stripped from the transmission threads. Am I royally screwed? I wish I had had paid someone to do my tranny flush at this point..

[san rensho]

You are mildly screwed. Take off the transmission pan and fix the stripped hole with a helicoil insert. When you put it back together, be sure to use a torque wrench! In these engines, most of the bolts are screwed into aluminum and will strip very easily. I religiously use a torque wrench.

[ASpec818]

I thought the boxster transmission does not have a pan? I also tried to use a torque wrench to get it to 18lbs, but the damn thing never clicked. I think the cheapo harbor freight torque wrench is defective..
At any rate, I had the car towed to my local shop since I'm not familiar with using helicoil.

[timothy]

Originally Posted by ASpec818

I think the cheapo harbor freight torque wrench is defective.

Sorry for your misfortune. Consider buying a quality torque wrench before your next project. I swear by a Precision Instruments C2FR100F. Perhaps Harbor freight is acceptable for some things but I'd never trust them for a torque wrench.

[ASpec818]

*update* just got a call from the techie at the shop, and he told me the transmission case was cracked in 4 different places. The drain hole threads are actually ok as it is just missing 1 or 2 threads. Are cracks in transmission cases common? The tech told me has never seen one cracked before. He suggested either getting a new case, or try a more simple approach using jb weld. If I have to end up replacing the transmission, do I need to get the whole thing or is it possible to just get the case? The car seemed to be driving fine before all this happened. It has 73k miles on it.

[JFP in PA]

Transmission cases rarely fail, and are available as parts, but they are expensive. That said, “JB Weld” is not going to work, to fix your case, it needs to be disassembled and heliarc/TIG welded by a specialty welding shop that knows what they are doing……..