1999 Boxster manual transmission fluid change - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Vidyashankara · 03-26-2017, 08:05 AM

I am due for a transmission fluid change. I looked up the diy instructions and it's relatively simple. The part I am not sure of is whether the 5 speed manual transmission also has a filter inside. Upon draining the transmission, do we also open up the oil pan and replace the gasket and the oil filter like the automatic transmission?

Thanks for your help in advance,
Vidhu

JFP in PA · 03-26-2017, 08:54 AM

No, there is no filter, nor a removable oil pan. You drain it and refill it according to the service manual procedures to the correct fluid level.

Vidyashankara · 03-26-2017, 02:42 PM

Excellent! Thanks! Must be very straight fwd then!

ltusler · 03-26-2017, 03:02 PM

Be sure you can open the fill plug before you do the drain.

paulofto · 03-27-2017, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltusler

Be sure you can open the fill plug before you do the drain.

+1 . . Nothing like draining your fluid then not being able to refill it.

thstone · 03-26-2017, 04:55 PM

The most difficult part is finding the triple square socket!

Transmission Drain Plug Madness

Vidyashankara · 03-28-2017, 08:37 AM

Thanks, I'll get the socket driver and will remember to remove the fill plug first

Just curious, why isn't there a filter for the manual transmissions?

The manual also says to change the differential fluid for the automatic transmissions. I am guessing this isn't done in the manual transmissions as well?

JFP in PA · 03-28-2017, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vidyashankara

Thanks, I'll get the socket driver and will remember to remove the fill plug first

Just curious, why isn't there a filter for the manual transmissions?

The manual also says to change the differential fluid for the automatic transmissions. I am guessing this isn't done in the manual transmissions as well?

Because manual gear boxes are splash lubrication by the movement of the gears rather than by a pump, there is no filter. And a manual transmission is also the differential, unlike the Tip equipped cars.

thstone · 03-28-2017, 02:19 PM

The manual transmission is comprised of both the transmission and the differential in a single unit - so when referring to a manual transmission, we all really mean transaxle.

Vidyashankara · 03-28-2017, 03:16 PM

awesome thanks!

Vidyashankara · 05-21-2017, 12:55 PM

Hi Guys,
Just getting around to finish the job.

I was wondering if I can use good old Mobil 1 Synthetic 75w90 LS gear oil as the transmission fluid?

Thanks,
Vidhu

thstone · 05-21-2017, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vidyashankara

I was wondering if I can use good old Mobil 1 Synthetic 75w90 LS gear oil as the transmission fluid?

Most of us use the factory fluid. Yes, its expensive but it seems to work the best. Here are a couple of links to previous discussions:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/30441-manual-transmission-fluid-best-brands.html

Transmission Fluid - really that hard?

Vidyashankara · 05-21-2017, 12:56 PM

Capri Tools 1/2 in. Drive 16 mm XZN Triple Square Bit Socket-CP30055 - The Home Depot

IS this the socket used to remove the drain plug in the 5 spd transmission?

JOC IN IL · 08-31-2017, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vidyashankara

Capri Tools 1/2 in. Drive 16 mm XZN Triple Square Bit Socket-CP30055 - The Home Depot

IS this the socket used to remove the drain plug in the 5 spd transmission?

Is that same socket for 2003 Boxster 5 spd Trans.?

I'm newbie I just purchased this car 3 months ago has 71K miles no service record or one's manual. When do I replace the Trans. Fluid? at 100K ?

Frodo · 08-31-2017, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOC IN IL

Is that same socket for 2003 Boxster 5 spd Trans.?

I'm newbie I just purchased this car 3 months ago has 71K miles no service record or one's manual. When do I replace the Trans. Fluid? at 100K ?

According to Bentley should be the same socket.

On how frequently to change the transmission oil opinions vary. The Bentley manual (which I assume is based on Porsche recommendations) says only every 90k miles. Wayne, in his 101 Projects book, recommends every 30k miles. I tend toward somewhere in between.

JOC IN IL · 09-01-2017, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frodo

According to Bentley should be the same socket.

On how frequently to change the transmission oil opinions vary. The Bentley manual (which I assume is based on Porsche recommendations) says only every 90k miles. Wayne, in his 101 Projects book, recommends every 30k miles. I tend toward somewhere in between.

Great! Thank you for your replay. I appreciate it.

One more thing I know engine oil been extensively discussed in this forum but I'm still confused What oil weight I should use. Should I use 0w-40 Mobil? 15W-40 ? Can I use castrol or penzoil instead of Mobil one? I drive the car leisurely I don't track>

Frodo · 09-01-2017, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOC IN IL

What oil weight I should use. Should I use 0w-40 Mobil? 15W-40 ? Can I use castrol or penzoil instead of Mobil one? I drive the car leisurely I don't track>

People have discussed motor oil choices ad nauseum here and elsewhere online. If you want to hear all the opinions, you're gonna need to use the "Search" feature. You should do this when you have many hours at your disposal. Most people here have drifted away from the Mobil One---apparently the formulation changed a few years back (to something less desirable than previously). As far as weights, generally you can't go too wrong with 10w40 weight. Some in warmer climates I guess will go heavier, perhaps 15w50 or 20w50. I use Castrol 10w40 and it's been fine. I think it's pretty well agreed that regularity of oil changes is more important than what you use.

rick3000 · 05-21-2017, 03:59 PM

You definitely want to use the OEM Porsche transmission fluid, it is specific to the transmission, and people seem to have issues using non-OEM fluid. The PN is: 000 043 304 71. I do not think it is available in individual liters anymore, you have to buy a drum of it. However, Sunset Porsche sells it by the liter (they fill up empty/clean oil cans). You will need 3 liters, which runs about $80. If you try to buy it at the dealer, don't let them sell you anything other than that part number, it is not the same.

san rensho · 06-01-2017, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

You definitely want to use the OEM Porsche transmission fluid, it is specific to the transmission, and people seem to have issues using non-OEM fluid. The PN is: 000 043 304 71. I do not think it is available in individual liters anymore, you have to buy a drum of it. However, Sunset Porsche sells it by the liter (they fill up empty/clean oil cans). You will need 3 liters, which runs about $80. If you try to buy it at the dealer, don't let them sell you anything other than that part number, it is not the same.

This is right, 2000 and older use a special oil. It is not the same oil for the later models as Rick very correctly states. It will make a difference, I went to the dealer and they sold me the gear oil for the later models, and its did not work, the shifting was balky and when I put in the correct oil, it shifted perfectly.

Vidyashankara · 05-26-2017, 01:40 PM

Thanks for the responses guys! I ditched my plans on using Mobil 1 and called the dealer based on your feedback.

However, like you mentioned, most of the dealers only had a 20L drum. One of the bigger porsche dealership had another PN for the manual transmission fluid based on the VIN i provided them. They had 1L bottles of that. The PN is 00004330549. I ask their service people and they said this is what they use on all their 986. Anyone knows whats the difference between this and the one posted above?