993 Gearbox - incorrect oil fill from an OPC
Discussion
Dear PH colleagues.
My 993 recently had its 30k mile service at an OPC.
On the way back the gear box started clunking and jolting. Returning it to them they inspected and after some days told me that they had put too little oil into the gearbox but it had now been topped by by 0.5 Litre and all was well.
I have asked if there can be any long term damage - I drove the car less than 30 miles - and they have assured me there will not. Of course a cynic would say "they would say that".
I would appreciate any informed comments or past experiences. Thank you
My 993 recently had its 30k mile service at an OPC.
On the way back the gear box started clunking and jolting. Returning it to them they inspected and after some days told me that they had put too little oil into the gearbox but it had now been topped by by 0.5 Litre and all was well.
I have asked if there can be any long term damage - I drove the car less than 30 miles - and they have assured me there will not. Of course a cynic would say "they would say that".
I would appreciate any informed comments or past experiences. Thank you
30 miles equates to 0.044776119% of the miles your car has covered. I honestly can't see 0.5l short of oil having any effect on the life of your gearbox*. If you are worried then try and get something in writing, on the basis that they indemnify against any gearbox issues in the next year.
Assuming the capacity is > say 3 litres.
Assuming the capacity is > say 3 litres.
I would say that even for 987/997 generation cars, it's better to use an Indy, never mind much older stuff. Car dealers train their mechanics mainly on the current model and the outgoing model, as that's the majority of cars they'll see. The more a mechanic specialises in particular models, the better their knowledge will be.
I recently took my 987 to a Boxster only specialist. Not only is he Boxster only, but he only works on 986 and 987 Boxsters. His knowledge was breathtaking.
A couple of years ago, I took my old 2006 MR2 Roadster to the Toyota main dealer, and they acted like they'd never seen one before. In 2018, I turned up at the local BMW main dealer in my 2005 130i, and they wouldn't even give me the time of day.
I recently took my 987 to a Boxster only specialist. Not only is he Boxster only, but he only works on 986 and 987 Boxsters. His knowledge was breathtaking.
A couple of years ago, I took my old 2006 MR2 Roadster to the Toyota main dealer, and they acted like they'd never seen one before. In 2018, I turned up at the local BMW main dealer in my 2005 130i, and they wouldn't even give me the time of day.
Johnny5hoods said:
I would say that even for 987/997 generation cars, it's better to use an Indy, never mind much older stuff. Car dealers train their mechanics mainly on the current model and the outgoing model, as that's the majority of cars they'll see. The more a mechanic specialises in particular models, the better their knowledge will be.
I recently took my 987 to a Boxster only specialist. Not only is he Boxster only, but he only works on 986 and 987 Boxsters. His knowledge was breathtaking.
A couple of years ago, I took my old 2006 MR2 Roadster to the Toyota main dealer, and they acted like they'd never seen one before. In 2018, I turned up at the local BMW main dealer in my 2005 130i, and they wouldn't even give me the time of day.
We're drifting off topic here, but you're right: the independent Porsche specialist that looks after my 997 and my wife's 986 specialises in the cars he really knows - so 986/987/996/997 and the SUV's from the same period. Walk into his workshop and there'll be an occasional 991 (and very, very rarely an aircooled 911 - but that'll only be for geo set-up).I recently took my 987 to a Boxster only specialist. Not only is he Boxster only, but he only works on 986 and 987 Boxsters. His knowledge was breathtaking.
A couple of years ago, I took my old 2006 MR2 Roadster to the Toyota main dealer, and they acted like they'd never seen one before. In 2018, I turned up at the local BMW main dealer in my 2005 130i, and they wouldn't even give me the time of day.
I wouldn't worry unduly. I doubt any damage has been done. It's just an old fashioned automatic gearbox. I also doubt that the OPC will underwrite the gearbox. However, just keep a note of what happened and the rectification.
Not wanting to belabour the point, but very few OPCs have experience on working on these old timers. However, it's your choice and your car.
pp
Not wanting to belabour the point, but very few OPCs have experience on working on these old timers. However, it's your choice and your car.
pp
Not overly convinced by their story
I'm no expert on automatic gearboxes
But a quick Google search indicates the ATF capacity is 10 litres. Also the level markers look about an inch apart between low and high. So I'm surprised that 0.5 litre underfill would leave it so low as to affect the performance so badly.
Level is supposed to be checked with engine at idle and ATF at 50 degrees. Perhaps they didn't follow the procedure and just topped it up cold until level was in range ?
I'm no expert on automatic gearboxes
But a quick Google search indicates the ATF capacity is 10 litres. Also the level markers look about an inch apart between low and high. So I'm surprised that 0.5 litre underfill would leave it so low as to affect the performance so badly.
Level is supposed to be checked with engine at idle and ATF at 50 degrees. Perhaps they didn't follow the procedure and just topped it up cold until level was in range ?
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