Well, it was fun while it lasted....

Hey guys, what you see here is unfortunately the drain plug from my gearbox...
Its been making a whining noise, and lately I have developed a tiny leak from the inspection plate screen under the clutch cover.
The car still drove and shifted as normal as ever, including 40 miles today! but I decided to change the gearbox oil today, and this is what I found...

For the record, I changed the gear oil almost exactly 2 years ago, there were almost no metal filings on the plug last time I did it... I have been running Redline SuperLight since then.

I dont have even CLOSE to the money it will cost to fix this, so today will be the last time my car sees the road for a very VERY long time..... i'm devistated, but I can't say i'm surprised... this is how my life normally works.

And wouldn't you know it, tomorrow is my bithday... this is SO NOT what I asked for!!
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Yikes! Substantial.

 

f errari me

 

OMG Steve we just left each other a few hrs. ago!!! That really sucks.. I hope things pick up and you get back on the road soon. Are you going to do it yourself or have someone else do it?? When you have the means that is???

Reg


P.S Happy B-Day!!

 

I know right?? So much for hoping it was the throwout bearing!!
I guess this could be a lot worse, at least it didn't grenade on me... but it's still gonna cost me a fortune. All I can pray for is that the stooges are planning a trip to Vegas soon!

 

A Stooge trip to Vegas?

HHHMMMMM???????

How much is Southwest charging these days?

 

Well, maybe, maybe not?

You may get lucky and only have to replace the outer bearings. By the way my money is on it being that dreaded oil pump bearing. Just hope that those bits haven't wreaked havoc on the pinion gears. Only way to know for sure is to open it up.

So what ever you do........ DO NOT drive it any more. Don't even start it.

 

Trust me Ernie, my driving days are over... I did not refill the gearbox, I cleaned the plug and put it back in, plugged in the battery maintainer and put the car cover on her.

Here is a better perspective... I cleaned up all the bits from the drain plug and oil drain pan... there were only 2 tiny pieces in the drain pan, my thinking is that this stuff didnt get into the gears, none of the bits are really mangled or marred. And there was not an "above average" amount of metal filings on the drain plug.
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Dude, I'm so sorry to see this happen to you. I feel your pain as work for me has been sketchy at best for the last year. If something huge happens to mine I'm outta luck for a while. I swear every time I drive mine I hear a new "couple thousand dollar noise" I'm fortunate that I can do my own work and what I don't want to do I have my good friend Alex Traverso to help me out. That being said parts is parts and they cost money....stupid money! Oh well the joy of Ferrari ownership. If I can be of any help to you please don't hesitate to contact me.

CJ

 

What part do these filings belong to?

 

Steve -

I have been there. It was awful. Whining sound lasted about 3 days, then kablammo. How many miles on your car? Mine was around 40k miles or so when it popped.

 

I checked, $59 each way, most days and times in April.

Thanks John, I sure appreciate that!

I cant wait to find out!

75312 miles... and its important to note... mine was whining for about 3-4 months, and it didnt pop.

 

That does really SUCK!

Tomorrow is your BDay and enjoy the day.

 

My guess would be a roller cage. It's the only piece (that I can think of) lightweight and chintzy enough to look like those pieces. Certainly could be wrong, and welcome anyone's correction(s).

 

So if you can do it DIY what's it going to cost??? I know it's hard to know what's wrong but worst case??? 5k 8k more??? or less???

 

That's gonna totally depend on the stooges and whatever parts i'll need, I honestly think i'd rather keep it parked than let anyone else but Bruce, Ernie, FBB, etc. mess with it.

 

There was a 348 gearbox on eBay from a 30K car a short time ago. It was quite reasonable about $2800.

Sorry this happened to you.

Anyone up to starting a collection? I'll kick in $100.00.

BTW, Happy Birthday. Hope things get better - quickly!

 

Steve,

Sorry, to read the bad news about the gearbox. I hope you can get the Stooges to help with this!!

Best wishes on your birthday.

Regards,
Phil.

 

Damn That hurt's, I hope it's not as bad as it looks..

Try and have a great birthday, I'm sure it will all work out..
A few beers wont hurt either.

Cheers!

 

OUCH!!! Damn, sorry to hear Steve...to save cost, start reading up on the DIY instructions. At least for the 'easier' part of getting the gearbox out; then decide if you can fix internals with help, or have a pro do that part (I've heard that recommended for the 348 gearbox).

 

Wow! Sorry to hear this, bro. I hope it turns out to be less of a problem than it looks (if that's possible).

 

Really sorry to hear that Steve, this must be a bad nightmare ...
Don't think about it, you will find a way to get the gear box fixed in no time. If is of any help, I can ask my friend to look around for one. I will see him tomorrow and I will mention this to him. Don't let this incident bringing you down and enjoy your birthday, remember that your health is much more important, when you have it, everything else is achievable.
Happy birthday Steve !
Your friend Roberto.

 

Is it out of the question to drop the box and ship it to FFB or Ernie?

oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Mike

 

Sorry to see mate.

Pull the box out and send it to FBB. Let he, Ernie and Vince fix it for you.

Then fix them up when they post it back to you. Will be a *cheaper* alternative, trust me.