Do I need the triple square socket?

[tx02]

I have an 02 boxster S and am going to change the transaxle fluid. Pelican parts says the full and drain plug are both a 10mm hex socket, but here on the forum I've seen posts about needing the triple square on the 6 speed. So which is it?
If I need one for this I want to get one purchased.

Also where's a good place online to buy the Porsche gear oil?
Thanks

[steved0x]

For the S, just the hex.

[Meir]

Originally Posted by tx02

I have an 02 boxster S and am going to change the transaxle fluid. Pelican parts says the full and drain plug are both a 10mm hex socket, but here on the forum I've seen posts about needing the triple square on the 6 speed. So which is it?
If I need one for this I want to get one purchased.

Also where's a good place online to buy the Porsche gear oil?
Thanks

Sunset Porsche parts is my preferred source for OEM parts.
As for the plug, it is easily visible looking at the transmission from the driver side.
You can just bend over and confirm yourself. or just listen to Steve.

[Frodo]

When I went to locate the fill plug on mine ('01 S) I found that it was not located where it was shown in both the Bentley manual and Wayne's 101 Projects book. They show it adjacent to where the drive shaft comes out of the transaxle (close to in inner rubber boot). For me, it was several inches further back on the transaxle casing. I don't know on the '02...YMMV.

[Anker]

Originally Posted by Frodo

When I went to locate the fill plug on mine ('01 S) I found that it was not located where it was shown in both the Bentley manual and Wayne's 101 Projects book. They show it adjacent to where the drive shaft comes out of the transaxle (close to in inner rubber boot). For me, it was several inches further back on the transaxle casing. I don't know on the '02...YMMV.

Its because the books cover the 5 speed transmission and only mentions differences between 5 and 6 speed when they remember.

I strongly recommend getting the Porsche repair manual from eBay and the parts listing from the Porsche web site. Checking those often resolves confusing or missing information from the Bentley and 101 Projects books.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by Anker

Its because the books cover the 5 speed transmission and only mentions differences between 5 and 6 speed when they remember.

There is some truth to this at times, and certainly in this particular case. The Bentley cover does say "Service Manual Boxster, Boxster S." You'd think they could have at least thrown in a sentence mentioning the different location of the plug in the S. That said, this is not a major complaint. In this case it took all of 10 seconds to find it, especially when I realized that it was a 10mm hex, which both Bentley and Wayne DID mention. I think you're probably right with your "when they remember" comment---occasional inadvertent omissions are nearly unavoidable in any publication. In general both books do a good job covering all the 986s, whether 5-speed, 6-speed, or tip.

Between these two books, resources like this forum, rennlist, Pedro, etc, and a sprinkle of logic I've been able to figure out most things I needed to figure out to do the projects I have chosen to undertake.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by tx02

I have an 02 boxster S and am going to change the transaxle fluid. Pelican parts says the full and drain plug are both a 10mm hex socket, but here on the forum I've seen posts about needing the triple square on the 6 speed. So which is it?
If I need one for this I want to get one purchased.

Also where's a good place online to buy the Porsche gear oil?
Thanks

The only triple square fastener is a mounting bolt for the six-speed into the bellhousing. I am able to remove it with a different tool I already owned but can't recall what it was. Probably a Snap-On torx .

[Geof3]

Suncoast for the oil. It's not cheap, but you'll probably never need to do it again. My 02S was a hex.