SHOULD REPLACED TRANSMISSION LEAK? | FerrariChat

SHOULD REPLACED TRANSMISSION LEAK?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Juan-Manuel Fantango, Dec 3, 2004.

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  1. Juan-Manuel Fantango

    Juan-Manuel Fantango F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 18, 2004
    14,913
    Full Name:
    Juan
    Just had a very reputable shop and racer replace my blown 348 short ratio unit with a used (reportedly 6K miles) unit. This ran aroung $9,200. Seems to do fine, except it now leaks. Numerous drops of gear oil on the floor.

    I brought this up, and his answer was basicly, it was ten years old and used. I did not promise it would not leak or something along those lines, although he has indicated he will look at it. Being no mechanic, my questions from a common sense viewpoint would be:

    1-While replacing these units, would it not be standard practice to reseal the points where it can leak while it is out and the cost of labor has been fully maximized?

    2-Don't you have some of these plates off anyway since you should inspect the unit prior to installing it?

    Am I expecting too much? Please post your reply.
     
  2. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,671
    San Carlos, CA
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    Mitchell Le
    There are leak-proof Ferrari out there, but they are far and few in between. Owning a Ferrari means 90% of the time you have to have a tray underneath the car in the garage.

    My BMW does not leak, my Porsche does not leak, my wife's lexus does not leak, but my Alfa Romeo POS pixxes oil, and my Ferrari sweats out all the common orifices.
     
  3. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,288
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
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    Brian Crall
    On your question
    #1 I would think yes, but at minimum you should have been offered that at extra cost.

    #2 Not always, If it came out of a car that was known, and the unit was known to be generally in good operating condition there is no reason to inspect it.
     
  4. Artvonne

    Artvonne F1 Veteran

    Oct 29, 2004
    5,379
    NWA
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    Paul
    I guess the questions I am asking at this minute are: Is it common for 348's to have leaky transmissions at 6000 miles, what is the cost of a used 348 transmission, and what is the going labor rate to replace one. I mean, if the going rate for a transmission is $9,000, then he didnt really make much on labor. If its not common for transmissions with 6000 miles to leak oil all over the floor, then I would be asking whats up with that. My dad worked on aircraft, and I just learned to put stuff back together by cleaning, regasketing and resealing. I just always believed it was part of the job. So count me as one who doesnt believe that for almost $10000 for a used tranmission that it should be dripping oil like a sieve. I guess once I paid $9200 at least give me the oil dripping or non oil dripping option money wise, now what do you do, pay more labor to have it resealed?
    I will probably put my motor and transmission back together with the "thread" and red "glue" they use on aircraft engine cases.
     
  5. ferrarilou

    ferrarilou Formula Junior

    Apr 13, 2004
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    US
    Full Name:
    Lou Menditto
    I would not expect the gearbox to leak, but I would not be surprised to see a few drops under the car from other sources. My Mondial-T gearbox was replaced with a used unit from a '94 348 over a year ago. The gearbox itself does not leak but there is still the standard issue at the bell housing due to my aging flywheel and seepage of hydraulic fluid past the slave cylinder. I think it is common for the 348s and many other Ferraris to 'spot' their parking areas, but this is usually from leaks elsewhere such as the cam seals and slave cylinder.

    Can you tell where it is leaking? At the front where it mates with the engine? At the rear through the bellhousing? Did you have any leaks with your old gearbox before it went bad?


    Lou
     

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