348 Gearbox DipStick

Pic on the right shows a proper 348 transaxle fluid plug with dipstick. If you want, I'll pull the plug and measure the distance down to the fluid level marks. I hope your stick didn't fall off inside the tranny.
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+1 Having your stick fall off in a tranny is a bad thing indeed.

 

I'll have a double entendre to go, please.

 

Please use caution...The holes that these plugs thread in to are commonly stripped out. I found a helicoil in mine which was missing a few threads. I feared the worst but needed to repair a bad synchro anyway. When the gearbox was disassembled we didn't find any helicoil parts, cleaned out the hole, and installed a Timesert (like a helicoil but threads can't break off).

 

Thread resurrection!

I decided to do a gearbox oil change on mine this weekend but the dipstick nut is just turning in the hole. It was only finger tight to start and even if I try lifting and turning, its just spinning.

Im fearing the worst!

 

It's stripped mate, don't worry about it for now.

Sort it out when you pull the engine out for the major service.

Just put the exact 4.5L of oil in and it will be fine.

 

Just had it out...gutted. Im a bit concerned in case the dipstick has fallen off though!

Can you remove gearbox without full engine out?

I guess if I measure the exact amount out, and the put the same back, that should do for a minute.

 

I don't think you can remove the gearbox with the engine in

 

You can remove the gearbox without removing the engine.

Larry

 

I stand corrected, thanks

 

Pap's advice was gold. As long as the gearbox isn't leaking you're fine to fill with the recommended amount of oil. You can confirm the quantity by referencing the owner's or workshop manual, both of which are available here: All Ferraris

As someone else here mentioned, the preferred repair is a Timesert, not a Helicoil. In fact, we'd all be well served to check those threads carefully the next time the gearbox is out of the car, and to Timesert the hole if the threads are at all buggered. Likewise, all of the oil drain holes. Ferrari should have Timeserted those holes when the cars were built.

 

Thanks for all the advice. Had a closer look today and I reckon I can get the gearbox out without too much trouble.

 

Yep, box can come out easy enough. But I don't think it's worth the effort for this job.

It can wait until the engine comes out of the major, that's what I would do anyway.

 

Im beginning to think the same....might just give it the 4.5l of fluid! Just need to find the right flippin' socket for the fill plug now!

 

Not a socket, it's a 19mm Allen. Located underneath the air box

 

Sorry, yes. Ive just ordered the 19mm 'hex bit'

 

Perfect

 

Too easy mate, take care and enjoy.

 

Many years ago (when I still had my 348) I made a tool to remove and replace the transmission filler plug out of an old spark plug socket. I'm sure there's a picture of it here somewhere. Just used the hex drive portion of the socket (slightly filed down) to fit into the recess in the plug, and a 3/8" drive extension installed upside-down.
Found it.
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Wouldn't it be easier/simpler to just use a 19mm hex tool?

 

I too stripped out my gear oil dipstick plug. Had it timeserted at last major and I'm good now. Just remember... don't overtighten.

one of my more expensive DIY Ferrari lessons