Hi all, My high mileage (85k miles) 456M GTA sprung a big leak from the transmission the other day. Ironically I was on my way to the Ferrari specialist for a service but I spotted the smoke from the fluid burning on the exhaust when stopped at some lights and pulled over so the transmission didn't run low on fluid and overheat. It was driving fine up until this point. It looks like the leak is from the left hand side so I was wondering if the hose to the transmission oil cooler has perished but the fluid was really pouring out when I stopped so I'd expect a big hole which I can't see. Would the pressure in the hose spray it out at speed if it split or perished? I know all about how these gearboxes are like black boxes and can make the car scrap if they go wrong so I question the value of my Ferrari specialist looking at it and may just send it to a transmission place instead. I've attached some photos below - anyone seen anything similar or got any ideas? The last image is where the car was parked with the centre of the photo being the centre of the car... Any help or advise gratefully received! Many thanks, Bryn. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Bryn, I don't have a definitive answer for your situation, but maybe some helpful information. At least the amount of transmission fluid doesn't look like a major failure of a hose, gasket, or seal. If you remove the transmission access cover in the trunk you can get a better view of the transmission. It is a bit of work to remove the carpet and cover, but it is easy to get to. You have to remove this access cover to check the level of the fluid in the transmission, anyway. http://www.all-trans.by/assets/site/files/gm/4T80E.pdf This is a good manual of the GM transmission. Notwithstanding, that the internals have been modified for the F 456. This manual has some very good trouble-shooting information, too. The following is also a good article on the history of the GM transmission used in the 456. https://www.theengineer.co.uk/issues/14-january-2000/ferrari-goes-automatic/ Good luck. Jerry
Hi Jerry, Thanks for your reply, I didn't know there was access from the trunk so that's very helpful. The other 2 gallons of trans fluid was on the road where I stopped by the way ;-) Cheers, Bryn
I can't answer you question. My only comment is before I made my 456GTA a brick of the gearbox could not be reasonably repaired, I would look at Corvette A6 transmission from 2006-2014. It also has the torque tube rear transmission differential layout and the horsepower and torque handling ability. I would look into what it would take to convert the 456 to accept the A6 gearbox. You would have cheap parts modern tranny with paddle shifters that can be tuned for 100ms shifts at just about the speed of Ferrari 360 F1 box. You can buy a used A6 for under $3000usd. I think it would be a cool project to make the conversion.
Bryn, OK. At least that should make it easier to find. These diagrams from Ricambi may help. https://www.ricambiamerica.com/car-diagrams/ferrari/v12/gt-group-2-2/456m/gearbox-cooling-radiator-valid-for-456m-gta.html https://www.ricambiamerica.com/car-diagrams/ferrari/v12/gt-group-2-2/456m/complete-gearbox-valid-for-456m-gta.html You can check the fluid cooler lines that go from the trans to the cooler in front of the rear bumper from below the car and from above through the access panel. You can also see the transmission electrical control connector from the top after you remove the access panel. I have never heard of it coming out, but maybe. Item no. 50 is the fluid level check rod/stick Good luck. Jerry
The leak seems to be on the right side of the car and the front of the transmission. Not much there to leak other than a cooler hose. The amount of fluid lost and the timeframe in which that loss happened seem to confirm that.
