328 GTB noisy differential and 2nd gear hard to select when cold

Hi,
A friend of mine is trying a 328 GTB 1988 and noticed during the test drive that the differential was noisy when the car was still cold (and the 2nd gear was nearly impossible to engage). These two conditions go away when the car has been warmed up.

Is there any concern he should have over these two items?

Thanks

 

Assuming the gearbox is not damaged internally, changing the gear oil to Redline MTL will reduce/eliminate this typical "quirk." My '89 328 did the same when I bought it in '08. MTL, recommended by RifleDriver here on this site, eliminated it.

 

Thanks for your message, are you referring to the 2nd gear change or to the noisy differential (or to both)?

Regards.

 

I have a 1988/328 this is very common on the 328 I drive off in first gear to 3rd gear till the car warms up a bit and then all is normal

 

My 89 shifts into second gear right off the start. Redline MTL since I owned it.

 

Thanks to everybody

 

It is not the 19th century. Lubricant technology no longer requires us to have poor shifting when cold. Using the correct oil solves it.


What is the differential noise? Gear noise? Is so thats a serious issue.

 

246 Dino the same thing.

 

Thanks Brian,

From what I understood the differential noise was heard when car was still cold during a left turn in a tight roundabout.

 

What oil brand is in it now ?
How old is said oil ?

 

So its a positraction noise....not a differential noise? 2 different things.

 

If you read magazine reviews of the 308 and 328 back when they were new, there were often comical comments in the articles about 2nd gear being off limits for the first 15-20 minutes. It has always been a charming quirk of these transmissions even when the cars were brand new.

I have some Redline MTL sitting on the shelf for a future gear oil change. Just waiting for the right opportunity since I may do some additional work (shift shaft seals) at the same time.

 

Is this the right one?
Red Line MTL – GL-4 Gear Oil Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Yes.

You need 5 qts.

 

Thanks Brian, but is it normal that a positraction would make noise? We contacted another owner of a 328 GTB who said he never had that type of noise even with a cold car.

Regards

 

Common yes, normal no. The lubrication needs of the syncros and the positraction are at odds with each other. Ferrari chose an oil that would assure a quiet positraction and worse syncro operation, hence the reputation. Both our TR and our 328 make a little positraction noise so I just ignore it.

 

Thanks Brian for the clarification.

 

Making noise in a corner can also mean the wheel bearing....