Trans fluid change - whats normal

[JoeFromPA]

Hey all,

In the middle of changing my trans fluid for the first time. The previous change was done 12-30k miles ago, not sure exactly when. I felt some notchiness going into 2nd gear that I thought might not need to be there, so I picked up some mobil delvac 75w90 and am putting it in this morning.

On every other trans fluid I've changed (manual trans), the drain plug has a magnet built into it and it's always covered with a fine grit of particles from normal transmission wear. This can be seen as a dark even-grained sludge sitting on top of the drain plug when you pull it out.

When I pulled the boxster's drain plug, it was spotless. Nothing but an even coating of lightly colored gear lube.

Is this normal for the boxster or do most people experience some particulate build up there?

Joe

P.s. Either way, I'm not displeased

[Flavor 987S]

Sounds normal. You don't really have that many miles on the fluid. The only way to really know for sure (or more) is to do a used oil analysis, with a lab like Blackstone.

[JoeFromPA]

Hehehe, too late now!

Drives great. Whatever fluid had been put in before must've been the right stuff - there's barely a notable difference betwen the two. Just put 32 miles on it including a few runs to redline and so far everything feels great.

[The Radium King]

the magnet isn't located on the drain plug, but just in front of it. next time you have your plug out, give it the finger and you'll find your metal bits.

[Steve Tinker]

RK - what do you mean re the magnet - is it located in the gearbox itself and not (as normal) on the drain plug itself? If so, how do you remove it for cleaning - there is no mention in the Bentleys Manual.....

[The Radium King]

here you go ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAl9g_Oar7I&feature=related

[JoeFromPA]

Huh - that doesn't look accessible through the drain hole (drain hole too small). That's just my guess.

That's also a scary video about the durability of those 6-speed trans....

[san rensho]

Great. So the transmissions have sealed bearings, like the IMS, that are also subject to failure.

[MileHighBoxster]

All bearings are subject to failure. It just doesn't happen very often.