Clutch slipping

1997 355 6 speed. I am new to manual cars as fell as ferraris. Car was running rough and i had all my plugs changed. A totally new experience as the car drove beautifully. However i get this uncanny feeling that my clutch is slipping. This did not happen before i changed my plugs. Clutch was changed about 5000 kms ago by the previous owner. How do I know if my clutch is actually slipping. Additionally mechanic says that engine mounts need change. I read up on the net that a bad mount can cause clutch slippage. Any advice appreciated. If it is really slipping can I drive the car carefully.

Thanks for any assistance.

 

Get up to speed on the freeway and in 5th or 6th put the pedal to the floor, if your revs go up and the car doesn't go faster it's slipping. If you take off then it's not..

P.S. if it's slipping stop driving it as soon as you can so you don't damage the flywheel

 

Sometimes the car pulls nicely, other times I get this queasy feeling of the take off not matching the increase in revs. Have not put the pedals to the floor since I got this feeling but will try. BTW if there is a problem would changing the engine mounts help. Is there any other way to check the clutch other than opening it up. Apologies but I am a total novice in these things.

 

So was I when I got mine... Not sure about the engine mounts someone else will have to chime in on this??? But if it's a 6spd you'll have to open it up.. The good news is that many here have changed the clutch themselves it's very easy on the 355 (so they say) all the parts can be bought at Ricambi and only takes about 4hrs

 

Would changing the engine mounts help a slipping clutch? Uhm, unless there is some odd connection specific to a Ferrari, I can not imagine how an engine mount change would improve clutch performance.

There is an inspection plate on the underside of the bell housing in the back. I think you can undo that inspection plate and take a peek at the clutch & pressure plate to determine wear.

I am certain someone can chime in on the detailed steps to do that..... I have never done that (yet).

 

Try googling "engine mount clutch slipping"

 

"A broken motor mount (engine mount) can cause clutch slippage by allowing the engine to move, binding the clutch linkage. Under load, the engine can lift up in the engine compartment, shifting the clutch linkage and pushing on the release fork."

??

Not sure if that can happen in a 355.

Kai

 

Maybe bad motor mounts could cause a clutch slippage problem on a car with a cable clutch (some engine "droop" pulling on the cable) but not on the 355 with the hydraulic clutch. What you may have read is that bad motor mounts can cause gear selection problems (difficult to enter some gears). This is correct and can happen on many cars including the 355.

 

No, it's a hydraulic clutch, with no exterior linkage to bind. The poster must do as instructed.

 

The mounts probably ARE ****ed, but that wont cause a slipping a clutch.

Pap's clutch test-

Place the car in 5th gear.
Pull the handbrake on HARD.
Start engine.
Slowly let out the clutch in 5th gear.

If the engine stalls, then the clutch is still alright.

If the engine/car wants to still drive while its sitting there................then the clutch is worn out.

Its an easy test, give that a go. Make sure you are in an open area, no one stands in front of the car and there is not another car/house/wall in front of the car. Just in case it jumps forward on ya.

 

Hummmm

Had I known you were talking about completely broken engine mount that allows the engine / tranny / transaxle to twist within itself to the point of binding the TO bearing, I would not have made that comment. ...and the least of your issues would be the slipping clutch

I hope you get your issues sorted out and back on the road soon.

Be well,

Randy

 

My clutch started slipping last track event. I stopped driving immediately. I tried the 5th gear test and the car did not stall,almost-alot of herky jerky-but I did not hear any clutch slippage. A quick drive -no slippage. It seems to do it under extreme conditions. Opinions?
keith

 

Did you have handbrake on? if so and it didnt stall clutch is slipping. or handbrake is US!

Re original, clutch can be variable due to conditions, and for instance, any oil on it. Problem is if you drive too far with slight slip it will heat flywheel and pressure plate that will bow them. Its much cheaper to replace a plate rather than the lot! see http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290768

 

Engine/trans mount wear seems to be becoming a common replacement item the past couple years on 355s. Appears to be both normal wear, along with engine manifold heat contributing to it. Replace and you will be good for another ten or 12 years.

No matter what you do, they are not going to last forever in any car. I did them in my 2001 BMW 540 last year.