H Lope

Convertible clamshell not seating all the down when the top is down. It’s just a ¼” from seating all the way down. My issue was one of the plastic flaps that rises out from under the calm shell on each side. The flap under the clam shell that rises from under the clam shell did not completely fold out flat for the clam shell to seat properly on top of it. I placed the top in service position. The front edge of the top 12”-15” from the front windshield. The clam shell should be partially raised at this point so you can gain access to the rear top guide tension cables. Unattached each guide cable from the ball joint on each side. Just pull them or gently pry them off with a flat head screwdriver. The cable seats in a socket. Then fold the rear portion of top over forward so that you have room to look under the calm shell to see the flaps. (Do not operate the top with the cables detached). To place the top in service mode I referenced, 61-10 of 2012 Robert Bently Publishers Porsche 911 Carrera service manual. If you have a difficult time looking under the flap. I recommend taking pictures with your camera phone on each side. Then compare each side to see which one may be out of alignment. I discovered one of my flaps was not seated properly in the slot. It only took a gentle pull to slip the flap into the slot. You will know what I am talking about when you look under the plastic flaps that are located forward under clam shells.

This forum has helped me resolve issues with my 911. I would now like to contribute to this forum in reference to changing the gearbox ATF to 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 996 Cabrio. When I drained the ATF, I did not measure how much oil I drained out of the gearbox at the time. So, when I filled the gearbox with oil, I did not put enough oil in even though the oil was draining out of the fill port indicating that I filled it correctly. The issues I had. The transmission was shifting slowly between gears 1-3 during cold start up only. After the engine reached operating temperature 180 the gearbox shifted fine. It would only take a few minutes for the engine to reach operating temperature. I found it hard to believe that Porsche would intentionally design gearbox that way to heat up to operating temperature before shifting properly considering Germany tends to be cooler most of the year. Solution, I warmed up the gearbox, driving around for 10-15 minutes. I then jacked the car evenly and opened the ATF fill port while the car was running. To my surprise no oil was coming out the fill port. I was able to add another liter of ATF. This solved my issue immediately. I recommend viewing Pelican Parts video Porsche 996 Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter Replacement (1999-2005 911) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLxPgIMiX-U if you are changing the ATF, filter, and gasket. I would ensure the gearbox is at operating temperature when filling and having the engine running while filling the gearbox with ATF. This worked for me. Do not forget to count the liters of oil you drained so you have a reference point when filing it. Suggestion when installing drain pan with gasket. Use plastic ties every other hole to align the gasket with the drain pan. Place some bolts in the holes that do not have the plastic ties in then cut and pull the plastic ties out. Place bolts in the holes where the plastic ties were.