Gonna call this one "my gear oil experiment" - 348

So... since I have had my 348 for a few weeks now and noticed the gearbox was a little notchy even after warm, I thought I'd change the gear oil and put in Redline as everyone seems to swear by it and it would get rid of the notchiness.

Previously, it was running Shell 75W90 Oil...part # 550008681

Pulled the drain plug and had very little metal on the magnetized part of the plug. Oil also appeared to be fairly clean. I put in Redline GL5 75W90 NS.

I have roughly 75 miles on her since the change. She has her moments after warm of smooth shifting in all the gears. BUT --- when cold 1st and 2nd are pretty rough getting into. Probably more difficult than with the previous oil. No grinding issues or issues in turns. I'm also not forcing it into the gears when it's tough to get them in.. I just start it in 2nd if needed from a stop.

FatBillyBob recommended trying a few other oils if all other things are ok. AceMaster suggested give it another week and some additional driving. I'm assuming since it was operating OK with the other oil, this must be an oil issue as that's the only thing that changed.

I'm kinda scratching my head and I really don't wanna bork my tranny so I've been reading all sorts of horror stories in my search for a solution.

Suggestions? Could it be the shift linkage? It was adjusted when the Shell Oil was put into the system. I was thinking when I change this gear oil out again, I'll pull the inspection plate just to take a peek inside and look at the gears. If I need to adjust the shift linkage, how do I go about doing that task?

I'm half tempted to dump the Redline and go back to the Shell as I can guess I can live with the previous notchiness... this I can't. btw.. car has 43k miles on it...

Thanks.

David

 

keep in mind Redline has different formulations. I had been using their MTL for many years until one application where it wasn't doing the job, for which MT-90 worked out better.

Your best bet is to get input from people here - experienced owners are a great resource. For example, I ended up using a Specialty Formulations product for a 993 that I discovered on Rennlist. I probably never would have come accross it on my own.

Good luck and let us know what works for you.

 

Have you considered a Slickshift gate? I think Ricambi sells them, or sometimes they show up on E-bay. Big improvement...

 

I think this is deeper than that. It's in the tranny and since the shifts were decent with the Shell Oil and now not with the Redline, the gate may help to make the transition from gear to gear better but if the gears themselves are having an issue, that gate isn't gonna fix it.

I had looked at one of them though recently.

 

I used Redline MTL when I had my 348 and it was pretty good, even when cold (as cold as it gets in south Florida anyway). I would go back to the Shell stuff and just let the car warm up with slow shifting, then have fun!

BT

 

Give the Redline gear oil some time to break in; it gets better with age. I noticed some of the same characteristics you have observed when I first switched over. Within a few weeks the 1st and 2nd gears became less notchy when cold, and of course much improved when everything warms up a little.

 

Interested in this myself.

I've only had my 348 since August last year, so I don't know what gear oil is in it - but whatever it is seems to work well. No problems with second gear when cold at all.

I've purchased the Redline NS myself - planning to change as part of a service in July. I'll be disappointed if I get problems I didn't previously have.

 

Amen! I'm slightly frustrated as I thought it would be better based on all the posts in my searches.

Mobilized reply by David

 

I changed to Red Line not too long ago. Shifting into 2nd gear when cold become easier.
I found that when shifting from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd, I either have to shift quickly at higher RPM or shift after RPM drops below 2K to avoid the cluck. I think Slickshift gate might help.

 

Every time I hear of a rare 348 owner whom doesn't have the famous cold 1st - 2nd shift problem I wonder what is unique about their car that the rest of us don't have... I've heard this 3 times now... Its definitely not the oil making a difference and I don't think 95% of us have bad 2nd gear syncros... I have a theory that it could be a perfectly set up shifting linkage that was obtained solely by luck and non-replicable...

 

I's happily go back to the notchy 2nd at this point. I'm going to give it some time. Another post I made on the subject, someone gave me some ideas on adjusting the linkage. I may try that too...

 

I had exactly the same problem....don't know what the previous oil was from the previous owner but it was very smooth in all gears....i got the exact Redline when i sent in my car for majors and in my 350km or so after that, 2nd was super hard in cold and even the other changes were not that smooth.....the linkages were removed though to take out the gas tank.....so, i'm wondering if its the new gear oil or the fixing of the linkages which is causing the trouble.....any idea if the linkages removal and refitting cld be the problem? my car's engine is being dropped again so shld i ask them to check the linkages?
cheers

 

I put the Superlight Shockproof *yellow colour* Redline oil in and it was perfect within the first few minutes of driving.

Changed the oil again last year with the same Redline oil and it's still perfect smooth shifting.

Toss that Redline 75/90 NS in the bin and try the Superlight Shockproof oil.

My gearbox oil change thread for those interested-

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101885&page=9

 

Try a shift cable adjustment and royal purple max gear 75w90....

works wonders..

Regards, Jim

 

2 more thoughts: remove the cover from the "box" where the shift cables go in down by the transmission, and check that the grease around those turning and sliding bits and pieces isn't petrified.
You can also try adjusting the linkage, although that seems to be a black art. You could instead try moving the shift gate around slightly. It's a little fiddlely, but if you remove the screws holding the gate down, get 2 skinny bolts ( 2 mm or so) about 1 inch long, put a washer on the bolt and then put them up through the threaded holes the original screws fastened to. Put the shift gate over those, a washer made of paper or leather so you don't scratch the finish of the gate, then a metal washer, then a nut. When you tighten the nut you will clamp the gate in place. Beause the bolts are skinny, you have a decent amount of play in gate positioning. I found on my car moving the lower part of the gate about 1 mm to the left made a huge difference in shift quality.
So many variables to deal with....

 

I have (had) one of those rare problem free sifters. a late 94. That was until it had an engine out major done. I had the seal replaced on the shifter shaft during the service. Since then, I have the slow notchy into second syndrome. Therefore I conclude it must be caused by the oil seal or linkage adjustment. Most probably, adjustment.
By the way, just doing a flywheel repack, do I need to remove the allen head bolt in the centre of the flywheel nut before undoing the flywheel nut?
Cheers, Mike.

 

Nope.

Hope all has been well Mike.

 

Thanks Pap, will swing the spanners in the AM.

 

Jim,

Even though I didn't have the exaggerated issues I have now with the Redline Gear Oil? While 2nd > 3rd was notchy with the old oil, it wasn't this bad. I'm not saying it can't be the linkage, but shouldn't I have seen the same issue with the Shell Oil were it the linkage?

David

 

Spoke with Fernando just now at Competizione.... he said not to use the NS and they only use the 75W90 Redline at their shop.

Think I'll try that and maybe the lightweight shockproof and see what happens. I'm going to look at the linkage but not mess with it yet.

 

+1 - This is THE oil for the 348. I replaced my oil with this stuff, and saw a 100% improvement. But when cold, you still MUST shift the 348 into 2nd at 4000+ RPMs. There is no varying from that rule. The Superlight Shockproof might let you shift 500 RPM lower ... maybe.

 

Remember the performance versus protection dilemma when pondering whether to use the NS or Shockproof. A lot of very smart folks on this board have noted many times now that the shockproof is about the slickest gear oil for the 348 in terms performance but it doesn't offer the same protection as the less performing NS.... Basically, you have to make a decision what is more important to you...

 

At this point, the NS isn't working in my gearbox so most likely I'll go back to the 75w90.

i would expect if my linkage was jacked up that should have manifested itself with the previous gear oil as well.

I highly value everyone's opinions here but I have to weigh what my car is "telling" me as well. $100 - 180 for each change plus my time is a minimal expense to jacking my Trans.

I also have a ton of respect for the guys at at Competizione.

Mobilized reply by David

 

No worries Mike, have fun!

Forget about the linkage, pour in some Superlight Shockproof oil and try that mate.

Bravo Tom!!! It's the only gearbox oil going in my 348 from now on.

 

That surely introduces other concerns though? There is no way I would be taking my engine up to 4k+rpm when it's cold.