does the transfer case require a separate oil change? | FerrariChat
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does the transfer case require a separate oil change?

Discussion in '206/246' started by Pantdino, May 29, 2011.

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  1. Pantdino

    Pantdino Formula 3

    Jan 13, 2004
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    Jim
    #1 Pantdino, May 29, 2011
    I searched for "transfer case" and didn't come up with much, so I'm asking.
    I see the transfer case between the clutch output and the transmission has fill and drain plugs.
    In 2006 Jim S asked if one can refill the transaxle thru the transfer case fill plug but got no response.

    Does the transfer case require its own drain and fill, or is it actively supplied from the transaxle, so it is changed when the T/A is changed? It seems strange Ferrari would have bothered to make drain and fill plugs if they were not necessary.

    There is nothing about the transfer case in Angelo's English translation of the workshop manual.

    Jim O
     
  2. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    Rob C.
    #2 Nuvolari, May 29, 2011
    There is actually a good reason for why things are the way they are. If you are doing a clutch change you drain just the transfer case before removing the bell housing to access the clutch. When the job is done you top up the transfer case thus saving having to re-fill the gearbox.

    It is important to note that the transfer case and gearbox are linked and share the same oil. As such the best procedure to change your gear oil is as follows:

    1. Remove both the drain plugs on the transfer case and gearbox.

    Quick Italian lesson:
    - Olio Motore - Engine oil
    - Olio Cambio - Gearbox oil

    It may sound dumb but I have seen both drained.

    2. Remove the gearbox fill plug and the transfer case fill plug.

    3. Re install both the drain plugs on the transfer case and gearbox.

    4. Make sure that the car is level and then fill from the transfer case until oil overflows from the gearbox fill hole. Your oil level is now correct without measuring out any oil.

    5. Re install the fill plugs.

    Job done.
     
  3. Pantdino

    Pantdino Formula 3

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    Jim
    #3 Pantdino, May 29, 2011
    Last edited: May 29, 2011
    My only fear is that the clutch output area might have been designed to keep splattered oil out but not to be immersed in it.
    If you pour oil into the TC fill plug you will be flooding the area with oil and some could get into the clutch area. No?

    Also, gearbox oil is fairly viscous, so if you replace the TA fill plug when it starts to come out there will still be a BUNCH on its way down. If you wait for it to drain out you have wasted oil and if replace the plug then you have likely overfilled the system. No?
     
  4. Pantdino

    Pantdino Formula 3

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    #4 Pantdino, May 29, 2011
    Well, I just tried to remove the drain plug on my transfer case with a breaker bar and it won't budge. I know it has not been removed in the 24 yrs I've had the car and might never have been removed since the factory installed it.

    I think I'll leave well enough alone and change the gear oil per the factory manual.

    Jim O
     
  5. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    Rob C.
    #5 Nuvolari, May 29, 2011
    To answer your questions:

    1. The seals can easily handle immersed oil and the gear oil would transfer into the gearbox so fast that it would not have time to fill the transfer case.

    2. Gear oil flows almost as fast as engine oil and in a hot climate like California it flows good and fast. If the oil is added slowly as you approach the approximate fill level (which can be juged by adding the transfer case and gearbox capacities togethr) then the amount of overflow is next to nothing or an overfill again is immaterial.

    3. Carefull application of torque using an impact gun is much more effective than a breaker bar. The cenralized shots of force that an impact gun provides, I find, is very effective in removing tight fasteners. Many times bolts that totally flex a breaker bar loosen immediately with an impact gun.
     
  6. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 Steve Magnusson, May 29, 2011
  7. Pantdino

    Pantdino Formula 3

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    #7 Pantdino, May 30, 2011
    I tried to remove my transfer case drain plug by hitting the breaker bar with a hammer-- no joy.

    To my mind the linked thread shows why the factory does not include separate drainage of the transfer case in the transaxle oil change protocol-- it is not necessary and if the TA is overfilled bad things could happen.

    If John never did it that way and his TA looked good at 185M I think it is safe to say it is not necessary.

    Thanks to all.
     
  8. 4redno

    4redno Formula 3

    Mar 21, 2006
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    Keith Mitchell Wintraub
    #8 4redno, Jul 12, 2011
    I changed my gearbox oil this weekend and referrenced this thread to figure something out.

    What I figured out was that the Dino 206 and 246 "L" series cars don't have a fill plug on the transfer case so the fill location on the gearbox must be the place where both the transfer case and the gearbox get replenished.

    FYI...Keith
     
  9. bertspeed

    bertspeed Formula Junior

    Sep 19, 2009
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    #9 bertspeed, Jul 13, 2011
    I had a stubborn nut on my transfer case,so I drove the car till the engine/box was at full temperature,then removed the nut quite easily.
     

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