Have a '03 Carrera 4. 43,000 miles--has a transmission leak---dealer tells me they don't fix gaskets the car needs a new transmission---$12,000.00---True or false? Any thoughts?

 

Is this a tiptronic or a manual? I have never seen a transmission leak out of a 996 or boxster yet. The engine rear main seal will leak at the transmission to engine connection, which could look like a transaxle leak, but isn't. Seems fishy. Do you have pictures?

 

It is a Tiptronic-43,000 miles--(2 weeks after warranty expired)--Inspection done at Braman Porsche in West Palm Beach--Since I am the 2nd owner of a car bought from Porsche Financial, they will nothonor the warranty----if I was the original owner they would---Sounds like a "rebutable" automobile manufacturer!!! The car was obviously in Porsche's hands while it was still under warranty and they just "dumped it" to the public (me).

Anyway the dealer said there are 3 leaks-- 1) the pan; 2) the cooler; and 3)top of transmission. most likely the Selector.

I spoke with the service advisor again today and he said there is no gasket/seal kit out there yet (may be one in the works but cannot say when it would be released) so the alternative is what they do now, which is REPLACE the transmission with a rebuilt unit.

Any thoughts?

 

The pan gasket is readily available. There is no seal on the top of the transmission that I know of. I just had a tip out of a 996 the other day and don't recall anything like that. The cooler housing, I have to believe there is a seal that would match up, but without seeing the leaks personally, I can't say for sure.

 

Doc,

Well is the cooler easy to get to as I would guess the pan is readily visible. In other words can these 2 be changed without pulling the transmission?
As far as the 3rd leak on the "top"of the transmission as they stated--why would they mention the selector?

(It's nice to have someone like you with all your experianceon the forum. I have read alot of your other postings and am really impressed.---greatly apprecited).

 

I would think you can do both the cooler seals and the pan gasket without pulling the tranmission (pan gasket for sure you can).

How much is it leaking?

 

Leaking enough that I am told it needs to be replaced. This according to a dealer and an independant Porsche repair shop. A second Porsche dealership confirmed that these gaskets are not available and transmission needs to be replaced---apparantly there is no gasket replacement set out on the market specifically for the cooler or the selector.
(Great "marketing" on Porsches behalf--- 25.00 in gaskets vs 12,000.00 transmission.