Differential fill plug will not go back in. - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

deliriousga · 01-08-2006, 07:14 AM

I was changing the differential oil and I can't get the filler plug to go back in.

It starts to go in a little and then sticks. A ratchet won't get it to thread. i checked and it's not stripped. I tried putting the plug in the freezer since it's cold outside, but still no go. Is there a trick to getting the darn thing back in?

TIA!

01-08-2006, 07:24 AM

John, what kind of oil goes in the diff.?

deliriousga · 01-08-2006, 07:41 AM

Nevermind. All she needed was some good metal and all is well. I put the key in so I could have some music and it seems to have made the car much happier. The plug just popped in with no problem. Very frustrating since I tried about 20 times before, but whatever works.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmussatti

John, what kind of oil goes in the diff.?

SAE 75W-90 gear oil is called for in the owner's manual and on AllData. I like the Mobil 1 synthetic. There is only one type that the later TSBs say not to use - Note : Burmah (TAF 21) part number N 052 911 CO is not approved for use in Boxster S manual transmissions. - but it lists Mobil, Shell Burmah & Esso for automatics and non-"S" manuals. Mobil, Shell & Burmah are listed for "S" manuals.

01-08-2006, 07:43 AM

How often should this be changed?

Glad you got the plug back in.

deliriousga · 01-08-2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmussatti

How often should this be changed?

Glad you got the plug back in.

60K miles.

I just took her for a spin and man does it make a difference. The gears just slide in with very little effort. This must be what it was like when it was new.

I think the problem with the plug not going in was the car was in gear. I was going to start it and let the differential case warm up to see if it would go in easier so I took it out of gear. I had the plug in with about 1/4 spin (as far as I could get it in without stripping it) and when I popped it out of gear before starting it, the plug flew out. I went to get the plug and put it in a little so I could start it and not have oil fly everywhere and it kept going in with no problem.

Brucelee · 01-08-2006, 03:12 PM

I use M1 gear oil in my Buell transmission. The difference is night and day vs DINO oil.

Good stuff!