[jpinna]

Hi All , can anyone help ?

I am in the process of buying a 1989 412i with manual g/box . The car is in concours condition . However , on a test drive I noticed that there is a whine which seems to come from the transmission area. The whine starts at around 90 mph and goes at about 95. Is it the diff ? If so is this serious? The whine only occurs in top. I would be very greatful for any ideas .

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by jpinna

Hi All , can anyone help ?

I am in the process of buying a 1989 412i with manual g/box . The car is in concours condition . However , on a test drive I noticed that there is a whine which seems to come from the transmission area. The whine starts at around 90 mph and goes at about 95. Is it the diff ? If so is this serious? The whine only occurs in top. I would be very greatful for any ideas .

Diff whine - well payed!

I have no idea but hopeful some knowledge appears soon.

Keep the sense of humor going!

[Brian]

Originally Posted by jpinna

Hi All , can anyone help ?

I am in the process of buying a 1989 412i with manual g/box . The car is in concours condition . However , on a test drive I noticed that there is a whine which seems to come from the transmission area. The whine starts at around 90 mph and goes at about 95. Is it the diff ? If so is this serious? The whine only occurs in top. I would be very greatful for any ideas .

It is impossible to tell if it is serious without hearing it. If it comes and goes in such a short speed range I would be inclined not to think so.

It is also possible that a rear hub carrier bearing is making noise or those terrible Michelin TRX tires are. If by "on top" you mean 5th gear it is probably a transmission issue. I would make a wager that "A" it has been far too long since the car had a gear oil change and "B" when it did it was filled with a substandard gear oil. Both causes have contributed to enriching me personally because they can be death to Ferrari transmissions.

You need to get the car inspected by someone who knows 400/412 cars well and there are just not that many people of that description in the US.

Where is the car geograpically?

[jpinna]

Hi Brian , thanks for your reply . The car is in the UK . I have asked the dealer I am buying it from to change oil in both the gearbox and the diff with the correct oil type and hope that it goes away.

The people I am buying it from are a reputable bunch and I have a guarantee so not too worried.

Other than that the car goes magnificently.

As you said it comes and goes over a small speed range ..... perhaps a bearing ??

[tazandjan]

J- Very pretty 412. Red is kind of rare on the 365-412 series and it looks great. Brian is the pro here so you have the correct guy giving you advice.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by jpinna

Hi Brian , thanks for your reply . The car is in the UK . I have asked the dealer I am buying it from to change oil in both the gearbox and the diff with the correct oil type and hope that it goes away.

The people I am buying it from are a reputable bunch and I have a guarantee so not too worried.

Other than that the car goes magnificently.

As you said it comes and goes over a small speed range ..... perhaps a bearing ??

Hopefully a lubrication issue. The transmission is an old ZF unit of proven design and the differential is an in house design. Neither were problematic. I do know however differentials and parts for same are very expensive.

Change the oil and keep your fingers crossed.

412 is a great car by the way. The biggest problem with them is they built so few.

[jpinna]

Hi Brian

I have had another thought . If the oil change does'nt work could it be an out of balance prop shaft ?

[Brian]

Originally Posted by jpinna

Hi Brian

I have had another thought . If the oil change does'nt work could it be an out of balance prop shaft ?

Never seen that problem in a torque tube car. A balance issue would cause a vibration, not a whine. I have seen bad bearings in torque tubes and never the symptom you describe.

[Saint Bastage]

I am somewhat confused by the report that the whine occurs between 90 and 95 in top gear only. My understanding (as weak as that may be) is that a whine is the result of worn gears meshing. If that were true, they should whine throughout the operating range of the affected gears. The suggestion that this is prevalent through a very short range implies some sort of harmonic frequency issue.

Is this whine dependant on load as well or is it speed related only?

I'm not familiar with this specific cars design. Are there Universal joints? They can also whine.

[jpinna]

Yes the car was under load ..... 3 up and going up quite a hill.

I tend to agree that there is resonance at a certain frquency which points to a bearing problem .... does'nt it ?


If so which bearing ?

[capcgn]

I have a 412 and it has a little whine under load in the speed range from the gear box. My last 400 had the same gear box noise to. I ask my mechanic and hi says, it is normal and all 400/412 cars has it, some more some less. Live with it and enjoy your new 412 as a hand build car what was never perfect, even new. The expection is to high this days, spooled with perfect Mercedes..................

[jpinna]

Thanks for your reply , you have given me some confidence . Tes I will enjoy it ,,,,, my wife and I plan to do the Maranello trip in spring.

Thanks again.

By the way have you loined the 400 club ? Check it out on the net.

Jerry

[tazandjan]

Captain- Welcome to Ferrari Life. Which cruiser is yours?

Go down to member introductions and tell us some more about yourself. Career surface warfare must be a fun way to make a living.