Hi The 550 and the 599 are in winter sleep since 01.11.2015. Beginning of January, i let them run for about 40 minutes and drove some meters out of the garage and back into the garage, everything without problem. The temperature this day was at about 5° C. Today i was in the garage for a short view for the toys. There was a smell of gearbox oil inside the garage, and looking under the cars, i saw oil under the 599. The oil is a little bit in front of the middle of the rear axle. It drops down at the front of the under-floor section of the gearbox. Hard to say where it comes exactly. I think it's about 1/2 liter or less. The oil smells like gearbox oil, perhaps not as intensive as hypoid gearbox oil. Is the smell from the F1 system oil like gearbox oil ? Is it possible that the F1 system is leaking, and what part could it be ? What should i attend (no starting, no actuating of the gearbox/clutch) ? Are there any weak points for leaks ? Next month i will take a look under the car to see where it comes from. Seems that i have to get the car to a dealer. First i have to organize a suitable trailer, mine is not wide enough. Daniel
A half liter puddle would be pretty big. After a year, a small amount could have spread out considerably. If it smells like gear oil, that's what it is. The F1 system uses ATF.
Hi Daniel, Sorry to read that! Perhaps a quick check and maybe even a quick fix would be to check all the lines to and from the cooler, in particular the joints. I would suppose that this is the most probable fault. A gasket will typically not fail that fast and so strongly. In case of such fault, it would seem that any operation should be avoided. If something is slightly loose at the moment, this can change rapidly, and leaks always change in one direction only (no self-repairing). I would suppose that you have lost far less than 1/2 liter. Half of a liter, spilled onto the floor, is a giant mess. Cheers and the best for a quick fix, Bernhard
Tim, i checked the oil once more, it's a typical light brown and clear oil colour, no red, so it seems you are right with your assumption. Bernard, yes, that's what i think and hope also, a small gaskets ring from a connection, a dissolved or cracked hollow screw or something else, perhaps a damaged oil line. Perhaps it's not as much as i expected, the spot is about 40x40 cm, non symmetric) on a rough cement ground, about 5-8 drops hanging at the under-floor section. When it gets warmer, i will dismount the under- floor to find out what happened. Daniel
Here is a photo of some oil, dropped down in about 4 days (between 2 under-floor sections). The smell is 100% typical gearbox oil. Colour is a very light brown. Seems that the leak is not small. (Photo is about 1:1) Watched some gearbox spareparts drawings. Perhaps a leaking sensor ? Is ATF fluid which is used for the F1 system always red ? Daniel (very frustrated) Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Daniel, Though understanding your frustration, such significant leaks speak for a potentially quick fix. Maybe just something has come loose and needs to be tightened again. You would indeed need to be unhappy, if something like a radial shaft seal would have gone leaking (though with lower leak rates). Cheers, Bernhard P.S.: ATF as to my knowledge may have different colors, aside red e.g. yellow. I have not yet heard of ATF without any color.
There are many different types of "hydraulic fluids" used for the F1 system - so do not rule out the fact that the fluid may be from the F1.
Thanks @360modena2003 Does any hydraulik fluid have the typical gearbox oil smell ? To cold to look now, winter came back today. I need space in the garage to get out the under-floor, so i have to get out the 550. Think end of march it's possible to look if weather gets warm and dry. Daniel
It looks like F1 fluid. Too clean to be tranny gear oil (unless you just changed the gear oil in the last 500 miles).
ATF and gear oil have similar smells. I suggest you have the undercarriage covers removed first and start inspecting using a good light source. Take some good pictures and post them here, I am sure with the collective knowledge of the forum we will be able to determine the source of the leak. If you have a suitable hydraulic jack AND fixed jack stands, then you could do it with the car in the garage.
Thanks to you trygve11 and 360modena2003. Have to wait for warmer weather, hope in 4 weeks i can take a look. Daniel
I had exactly the same issue. 599 is up on a lift and one morning I noticed the fluid on the roof of my daily driver below it. After trying to get away with just replacing a clamp they ended up removing and re-sealing the gear box...a not insignificant job. I was particularly disappointed to learn a re-seal is not covered by the power train warranty. All good now and it is in the 70s in CT so driving season has come early.
Yes, seals not covered which, to me, makes that particular warrantee unattractive. Also, the practice of running the engine during the winter hibernation has always been debated. Hope the leak mentioned here is just something loose and am anxious to see pics.
Thanks, i hope it's something "easy", too. The dealer from where i bought the car will solve the problem, offered me to pick up the car and get it to Ferrari. If it's something easy, i'll fix it myself. Update follows. Daniel
Daniel, you made me fall onto the knees before/aside my car. No "markings" evident *puh*. Two more weeks and I will be driving it again, juhu (seasonal registration). Hope that yours will be a swift and inexpensive fix! Cheers, Bernhard
Hi all Today is dismounted the under-floor to see what happened. The hoses to the gearbox oil radiator are wet. 1 hose is slightly wet the other is very wet. Monday i will contact the seller to discuss what we will do. Daniel
Update The 599 was picked up last friday by the seller. He brought the car to Ferrari munich. Today i've got the message : car is ready, problem is fixed. One of the oil tubes to the radiator was loose. The seller gave me warranty, i mean very commendable. Thanks Luimex ! So everything is OK. Today i decided to let them lower the car 15-20 mm. So next wednesday or thursday, i can pick up my 599 included lowered suspension. Daniel
Daniel- Glad it was something simple like tightening a fitting. No wonder they safety wire those on aircraft and race cars.
Thanks, and yes, i'm lucky that it was only a small problem. But if this happens while driving a long tour, what will happen to the gearbox. Do you remember such a problem while driving on the highway 400 Km nonstop ? Daniel
