manual transmission pan cover question? Help?

[911monty]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Besides using the ratcheting straps to pull it back into position, another trick is to mark the pan when you remove it and cut a 2 1/4 diameter hole under the drain plug. Once back in place, you will never need to remove the pan again to drain the gearbox.

Thanks for that JFP! I have always wondered why this was never recommended. My question is why not just cut the hole and then drain? If removed and hole cut would it be advised to weld a reinforcement ring onto plate to prevent future stress cracking?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Thanks for that JFP! I have always wondered why this was never recommended. My question is why not just cut the hole and then drain? If removed and hole cut would it be advised to weld a reinforcement ring onto plate to prevent future stress cracking?

First of all, the plate is under tension, not compression, and is actually made out of relatively thin aluminum, so it is not under any great load to begin with, and no reinforcement is needed.

Only problems with your idea is that it is difficult to create the hole with a hole saw as the transmission case is fairly near the plate, and the transmission drain is actually off centerline slightly, so putting the hole in the correct spot is problematic.

Once the plate is out of the car and correctly marked, it is a 5 min. project to put the hole in the plate in the correct location. I also like to de-burr the opening, both to give it a more finished look and keep the plate from cutting your fingers the next time you service the trans.

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

it is a 5 min. project to put the hole in the plate in the correct location. I also like to de-burr the opening, both to give it a more finished look and keep the plate from cutting your fingers the next time you service the trans.

I did this on my 03 S 6 speed manual with the piece in the place. I was within a 1/2 inch of dead centre of the drain plug with a pilot hole and then lined up more precisely to drill the larger hole. I de-burred the hole with a Dremel tool. I'm not sure why Porsche didn't have a hole incorporated into the piece in the first place.