Magnetic Transaxle Drain Plug?

I just changed the gear oil in my 2001 911 Carrera with a 6-speed. All appears to be good but it is hard to tell as the drain plug isn't magnetic. Is there a source of a magnetic transaxle drain plug for the 996? Also, is there a preferred gear oil for the 996? Swepco 201? I used Mobil 1 synthetic in my '79 and had a 2nd gear failure shortly thereafter. May be unrelated, but some say that the synthetic is too slippery or thin and doesn't adequately protect. Thanks in advance. Larry

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There already is a magnet in the trans, but it is mounted to the inside of the case and not on the plug so you cannot see it. The only oil to use is the OEM fill, which is a unique full synthetic product made to Porsche specs; no one else makes a comparable product, regardless of what the advertising says. And just for reference, when we polled the major producers of gear oils, Mobil 1 was one of those that responded tell us to use the factory product because they did not make anything compatible.

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Interesting. Who is the "we" to which you refer?

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The staff in my shop.

JFP - Thank you for what seems to be excellent advice. I went to visit my friendly Porsche Dealer's Parts Dept this morning. They don't stock the manual transmission fluid and told me "just use 75W90". I explained that I had tried that and the box is virtually unshiftable until it warms up. He could order it but it would be Monday until it is in. Since I'm taking a trip this weekend, I turned and asked the Service Manager if he could change the transaxle fluid for me, assuming they would have it in bulk. Having overheard my discussion, he allowed as how it would be next week since the Porsche fluid would need to be ordered. I asked what he uses on customer's cars needing service and he said "Mobil 1". WTF? You get Mobil 1 at the Porsche dealer? Will that cause them issues? I ordered the Porsche fluid ($40/qt) and bit my lip. The Parts Dept guy really didn't seem to want to accept my order. Then he told me the part number I specified (999.917.546.00) was incorrect as it was for an automatic transmission. Can you do me a final favor and tell me the correct Porsche number or are the dealer techs just hosed? I feel like I'm the only guy in the area who has wanted to change his 996 transaxle fluid. Thanks for being there.

Part number I have is Part No.: 000 043 204 20, which is in drum quantities only, I do not have the 1 liter part number.

I just talked to Brumos. They are putting Mobil 1 75W90 in their customer cars, too. I just don't like the way it shifts and am worried about my synchros.

Here ya go:

Yeah, that's exactly what I asked for. But my local Porsche Parts guy thinks it's for automatic trannies. Gees. Thanks again.

Give the guys at Sunset Porsche (Beaverton, OR) a call, they are one of the cheapest and easiest going dealership parts departments in North America. We buy from them all the time.

Thanks, JFP. I found a source for $25/qt free shipping, so I'm covered now. Yet, being totally OCD over my Porsches, I worry about the magnet in the tranny being in the case where I can't see if I have a developing problem. And I worry about the customers at some Porsche dealerships that are expecting the $40 fluid and getting the $10 fluid. Of course, the same dealership will happily do a rebuild, I suppose.

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Dealerships like to sell what they make the most money on, so an aftermarket gear lube would be their choice for that purpose. If you really want a magnetic drain plug, there is an outfit called Gold Plug in Bozeman, Montana that will make a magnetic plug from any sample that you send them, as well as having an enormous existing catalogue of plugs for just about anything as well, Magnetic Oil Drain Plug Automotive Truck Motorcycle Industrial Engine

There are actually two (2) manual transmission fluids that are suitable and approved for Porsche transmissions: First is Mobilube PTX: MOBILUBE PTX 75W-90 Good luck however trying to find it. The second one is Shell Transaxle 75W-90 renamed not too long ago to Shell SPirax S5 ATE 75W-90. Data sheet here: http://www.shell-distributor.ru/common/data/u/Spirax_S5_ATE_75W-90_(TDS-rus).pdf I only found its Russian version, as a new Data Sheet with removed Porsche reference is displacing old ones on Shell web sites worldwide. However you can still see "Porsche" in the Russian version. Hurry up Shell, remove that one too!!! I actually bought 20L pail not long ago. The label clearly states that the fluid is Ferrari, Maserati and Porsche approvded which is consistent with earlier Shell published data sheets. This fluid is available from Shell distributors in Canada (not easily) in 20L pails only. Not sure about situation in US. Both fluids are under 600 cSt at 0*C (Porsche requirement) to maintain good synchro engagement in low ambient temperatures. The early version was fully synthetic (Transaxle) the new one is Group 3+ XHVI Shell GTL basestock based fluid. It performs very well indeed in my 997 G-box. Any other fluid will cause issues with 996/7 transmissions. More voscous fluids will be a hell to shift in cold (Mobil Delvac comes to my mind). Any less viscous, Motul Gear 300 as example is not recommended by Motul in 996/7 boxes. Here is what I collected to date on Rennlist: 997 Gear Lubricant Data - Rennlist Discussion Forums Cheers, Luke

Thanks for the help, Luxter - one gear oil that is unobtainable and another found only in Russia? I took JFP's advice and am a happy camper. Fluids that DID NOT work include 74W90 dino which was terrible, and Mobil 1 75W90 synthetic which was marginal in that the shifting is slower than with the Porsche hypoid.