Level light on then lost all gears

GraemeA

Member
Messages
108
Well I new my recent good run had to come to an end. Had a breakdown about 110km from home. First the level light flashed on, then it wouldn't select first at a traffic light. I eventually got it to change a few times but 5km later it selected neutral and that was it. I was stuck in a no cellphone service area unfortunately but a friendly local dropped me to a nearby petrol station where I rang the AA and got a truck sent. A few hours later it was dropped to my garage at home. Now home the engine does not start. Inspection showed me pretty quickly that there's a major leak on the F1 gear change mechanism. I haven't delved deeply yet but hopefully it looks like the main reservoir to pump supply pipe. I'm hoping that fixing the leak and refilling the reservoir will sort it out. I've got some Penrite LDAS synthetic hydraulic oil which says it can be used where CHF 11S is specified. Any thoughts?

Cheers

Graeme
 

GraemeA

Member
Messages
108
Update

Well I refilled the reservoir the car started and changed gear fine. Well it did for my 2km run, but when I got back the level light was on and fluid was dripping copiously. I got it up on the axle stands but I can't pinpoint where it's leaking from. Lots was dripping off the passenger exhaust but the oil seemed to be all over. Even seemed to be dripping from the LHS half shaft and from by the robot change mechanism. I couldn't locate the source. The reservoir is empty again. Any ideas or tips? The car had a new clutch, gearbox service and accumulator change about 7,000KM ago by the main agents.
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
I’d remove the boot floor for a better inspection.
There are loads of pipes for potential leaks, if leak is when running it could
be one of the EV pipes from valve block to the actuator.
You could also get it in axle stands and run it through the gears to pin point the leak.
Also check the way the pipes have been run if it was all disturbed a few K ago.

5632656327
 

GraemeA

Member
Messages
108
Thanks for the reply. I'll need a second pair of eyes.

It's obviously coming out a fair rate, leaving patches of oil as it drives, but I can't see where it's leaking from.

I'll get it up on the axle stands and get some one to run it and change gear while I look from below. It should be obvious. Have to buy some more CHF 11s first...
 

GraemeA

Member
Messages
108
Well I got it up on axle stands and have tried to locate the leak.

It appears to be from one of the top connections on the gearbox actuator but I can't see where exactly. Hydraulic oil does not leak when the system primes, but if I turn on the ignition and actuate the gear paddles it fairly pours out.

Unfortunately access looks very difficult.

So do I just load it on a trailer and take it to the Maserati Agents in Auckland or does anyone have any other ideas?
 

allandwf

Member
Messages
10,958
Can you get a spanner on the banjo bolts, without actually seeing them, as to pour out it would need to have come loose. If not loose, then something must be broken.
 

GraemeA

Member
Messages
108
Hi Guys

Thanks for the replies.

Well the leak doesn't seem to be from the pump, control valve, reservoir area, which you could see if the boot floor was out, but up by the actuator itself. Pours might have been an exaggeration - piddles more accurately.

I think I need to get it higher up, so I can have a better look, and then get someone to actuate the gears (engine not running) while I try and see where it's coming from.

Yes, it's looking more like something's broken than a loose bolt unfortunately. Hope springs eternal as they say though.
 

GraemeA

Member
Messages
108
Hi

Has anyone bought the complete workshop manual on the Maserati Coupe M138 from emanualonline.com?

I just wondered if it was any good for transmission details?
 

Arfa

Member
Messages
338
I've had something similar on my QP and Autoshield tracked in down to corrosion between the actual housing and this attachment block.

5665356654
 

GraemeA

Member
Messages
108
Well I got under the car and had a helper change gear from N to 1 and back again. It leaks on the return to N from a pipe where it goes over the axle/diff coupling. The pipe looks as though its been touching because that's where the leak is. Is there supposed to be something holding them up out of the way?
 

GraemeA

Member
Messages
108
Thanks so much for the photos. Its hard to tell if they're actually supported by something, but yours look much further from the diff/axle coupling than mine. I'll take a photo later today.
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
Thanks so much for the photos. Its hard to tell if they're actually supported by something, but yours look much further from the diff/axle coupling than mine. I'll take a photo later today.

No problem happy to help, there is one hose support on the subframe to hold the hoses clear, see attached pic it is just forward of the oil tank

56707
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
That’s right above the drive shaft as well. On the other photo it is just visible behind handbrake cable
 

alfatwo

Member
Messages
5,517
Should of went for a simple bulletproof Getrag 6 speeder, that other stuff is going to get even more troublesome in years to come.

Dave
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
Should of went for a simple bulletproof Getrag 6 speeder, that other stuff is going to get even more troublesome in years to come.

Dave

Does a 3200 not have any hoses then?!
But suppose you’re more worried about crank thrust washers!

All jokes!

All Maserati can be a pain
 

alfatwo

Member
Messages
5,517
Does a 3200 not have any hoses then?!
But suppose you’re more worried about crank thrust washers!

All jokes!

All Maserati can be a pain
The 13k crank thrust washers have all been replaced thanks:cool:

Dave