911 Skid Plate

[Alkem]

I recently brought my 2002 996 Targa, 6 spd manual, in to the dealer for service. When it came back, I was inspecting underneath and I noticed a bolt missing that connects the skid plate and another component to the transaxle. Do you have to remove the skid plate to change the oil?

Edited April 4, 2011 by Alkem

[scottiemac]

No, but it makes the oil change a bit cleaner. I've found that sometimes oil will collect in the skid plate and then drain out if the vehicle is parked on an incline.

I always take mine off as it only takes few minutes.

[Alkem]

No, but it makes the oil change a bit cleaner. I've found that sometimes oil will collect in the skid plate and then drain out if the vehicle is parked on an incline.

I always take mine off as it only takes few minutes.

Thanks for the info. The dealer told me that the skid plate is aftermarket. He says that Porsche did not offer one in my model year. A previous owner must have installed it.

[Loren]

A number of owners have put the older (Porsche) version for 3.4 liter cars on the later 3.6 liter cars. If you do this there is no place to bolt the transmission end of the plate. That is normal.

[Alkem]

A number of owners have put the older (Porsche) version for 3.4 liter cars on the later 3.6 liter cars. If you do this there is no place to bolt the transmission end of the plate. That is normal.

Here is a photo of the missing bolt area. This is on the passenger side, behind the rear wheel. It looks to me like there is a tapped hole where a bolt could go. Should I order one? If so, anybody know the part number?

Thanks,

Bernard Kempinski

PS. I never realized how rusty things look underneath. Topside the car is like new. Maybe it's time for a Stainless Steel exhaust?

[Loren]

A number of owners have put the older (Porsche) version for 3.4 liter cars on the later 3.6 liter cars. If you do this there is no place to bolt the transmission end of the plate. That is normal.

Here is a photo of the missing bolt area. This is on the passenger side, behind the rear wheel. It looks to me like there is a tapped hole where a bolt could go. Should I order one? If so, anybody know the part number?

Thanks,

Bernard Kempinski

PS. I never realized how rusty things look underneath. Topside the car is like new. Maybe it's time for a Stainless Steel exhaust?

900.378.036.01 Hex head bolt -- US MSRP $0.37 each

Use a little Loctite blue on the bolt.