Friction Modifier

[K80Kid]

Some more info...

I had a second mechanic test drive the car today. He also said it's the syncros...

Looks like I'm going to have to decide between;
a) rebuild the tranny
b) live with it
c) trade up!

I also called Redline again and spoke with a very knowlgeable person. He said that the 75W90 NS is the best for this car. He said the MTL and MT-90 are too slippery and will only make the shifting harder.

I'm not happy with what I am learning, but I thought I would share it with you guys!

- Mike -
'01S

[Cloudsurfer]

I run 75W90NS in my 02 S with great success.

Patrick

[Adam]

How many miles do you have on your 01 S Mike?

[K80Kid]

Adam,

35K miles. Seems like the tranny should last longer than that!

- Mike -

'01S

[Adam]

Originally Posted by K80Kid

Adam,

35K miles. Seems like the tranny should last longer than that!

- Mike -

'01S

Definately! Does the tranny grind only when it's cold or does it grind when warm too? I was thinking perhaps the cable has stretched some and you could try adjusting the linkage by the shifter?

Originally Posted by K80Kid

Some more info...

I had a second mechanic test drive the car today. He also said it's the syncros...

Looks like I'm going to have to decide between;
a) rebuild the tranny
b) live with it
c) trade up!

I also called Redline again and spoke with a very knowlgeable person. He said that the 75W90 NS is the best for this car. He said the MTL and MT-90 are too slippery and will only make the shifting harder.

I'm not happy with what I am learning, but I thought I would share it with you guys!

- Mike -
'01S

Bummer Mike. Nice to know. Well, at this point you don't have much to lose by trying MTL, or some other additive/mix? I'd donate one bottle worth to the cause just to see it makes any difference. I know Redline are their own experts, but an experiment is worth a thousand opinions.


I've just personally had so much luck with MTL that that is what I would do.



Anyone else want to donate to the MTL cause? Only my 2¢...

[Rodger]

Because the oil is considered a hazardous material, most companies won't ship it via air. Since I'm in AK, there's no ground shipping option. I got my MT-90 from Jeg's. I had forgotten how much shipping and handling cost......It's going to cost me $78 to get three quarts!

I guess I'l stay with MT-90 for now....

[Houston C4S]

I would advise checking the adjustment of the shifter cables.

I saw on Randall's car where his cable locator that is on top of the
transmission was about to slip out of its mount. That will let the
cable sleeve move around without moving the actual shifter cable
itself.

Anyway, I would start there.

Best,

- Mark

PS: On a car with some time and mileage, it cannot hurt to change
the lube.

[K80Kid]

Just a follow-up...

After making many phone calls, I have learned that my problems are not uncommon and this is a well known design flaw in the 986/996 transmissions. Apparently, thanks to Porsche, a lot of money is being made in the rebuilding business.

Anyway, I decided to call Porsche North America to see if they had any comments and whether they would stand behind their products. Not surprisingly, Porsche couldn't care less...

This may be my last Porsche... I have better things to do with my time.

- Mike -

[Darkhamr]

My '02S acts just as described when cold. I don't think it's the synchros, though it does appear that way at first. The shifter just stops a fraction of an inch from fully engaging second. I am simply more deliberate shifting into second until it warms up.

[noone986s]

Same here 2nd and 4th are sometimes difficult until warm, tried various gearbox oils including Shell, Mobil and OEM, got Royal Purple to go in over the weekend. If I wait until warm it is fine.