Danger from a collar screw

After receiving my 456M GTA back from service, I realised there wasn't enough room for the gas pedal to go all the way down. I first thought about the carpet being in the way but it wasn't. So the next trip with limited speed to the closest AD mechanic:

The screw from the collar holding the intake air tube (item No. 20 in the picture below) was loose, so the collar turned around as the part with the screw is heaviest and blocked the throttle mechanism - luckily on the way to open the throttle ... If that would have happened on the way back to close the throttle, I could easily be looking down from way above on the idiot that forgot to tighten the screw after reinstalling the tube. Or worse - it could have ruined my car!

This item no. 20 is extremely important to check if it's tight.

Dfender
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I hope the mechanic offered you a free service next time as a simple mistake like that could have been costly, not only that the car would have been running like a dog as air in the system is not doing anything any good.

 

The other way around happened to me a couple of years ago, when the throttle got stuck at 7,000 rpm......

 

I see that one all the time. The Diablo's are really bad for it. Usually its the DIY who likes the clamp the "other way" after changing the air filter or what ever..

 

As luck would have it, the day it happened to me, I was just entering the Homestead race track area for a Ferrari Challenge event.
As I pulled to the side of the road, killed the engine, re-started and killed it again, as it would still rev up to 7,000 rpm, a Ferrari mechanic that was standing nearby, came by, asked to look under the hood and went right for it!!!

 

Glad it didn't happen to you- My pedal got stuck WOT in an aftermarket floor mat. I was able to break it down to turn the ignition off without depressing the clutch to risk blowing it up! But I will admit it took years off my life and my normal standing heart-rate is forever raised.

Frightening- but the stock Brembos did hold her back in 2nd gear...

 

No one of that AD get's his hands on my car any more. They had their chance and blew it!
Dfender

 

And? How did you get the car to a stillstand? Damage to the engine?

 

Amazing! And I thought I was the only one ...
DFender

 

First of all I have a clutch, so I depressed the clutch, shifted in neutral, killed the engine while pulling to the side.
Not knowing what was going on, after a few seconds to re-collect myself and thinking it could be an ECU malfunction and that it could re-set itself, I re-stared the engine and it instantly went to 7,000 rpm, so I killed it again.
Tat is when the Ferrari mechanic approached me and after looking into the engine bay pointed right at the clamp that had hooked up the throttle on the pax. side.
A.

 

I can understand your reaction. Glad you survived it ;>).
So this is the way to do it? Just use the breaks, no clutch? How about in an auto tranny like mine (456M GTA)? The slower the speed, the lower the gear and the more power is developed, no? At 7000 revs a terrible imagination - to me, at least ...

Dfender

 

No damage to the engine, as the redline is at 7,200, so it was still within safe limits.
Scary though!!

 

A Ferrari 456M can accelerate to 100 mph in about 12-13 seconds (R&T). It can stop from 100 mph in 4-5 seconds. The brakes can always override the engine, even one stuck at redline. You can always jump on the brakes and wait until the engine stalls. Or do like Alfredo and brake, use the clutch, and shut off the engine. Same for an automatic, except you would use Neutral. Check out acceleration vs deceleration times/"g"s even on F1 cars. The brakes are always more powerful.

The fact that the fastest street car built can always be stopped by the brakes is what makes all those unintended acceleration fantasies, where the driver was stomping on the brakes through-out, total nonsense until they change the laws of physics. That is doubtful.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Just be sure not to shut off the engine before you come to a stop or you will loose the power brakes and steering assist.

I just looked at the 550 setup and can't see how it could happen on a 550

 

Totally agree, I'm still mad at 60 minutes for almost putting Audi out of business in the US.

 

....not forgetting that to grab the ignition key to kill the engine in the heat of the moment will put your steering lock on which could lead to a commedy moment for spectators or worse.

 

Thanks Terry!
Makes sense to me. Hope I never need it¨!
Dfender

 

It won't lock unless you pull the key out.