360 F1 Clutch problem?? help :(

Hello, I am the happy owner of a ´04 360 F1 Spider with 19K miles on it. During the past week, the car has been acting rather funny and would like to know your thoughts regarding this issue.

During the past 100 miles, every now and then, when I am in 6th gear, the car automatically disengages and goes to N. Likewise, when I reach traffic and have to shift in the city, sometimes, while shifting 2nd to 3rd or from 3rd to 4th, the car just goes to N again. It is actually kind of dangerous and I had to drive with lots of caution.

I have never yet changed the clutch. Is this a clutch issue?

Any hints are appreciated! Ed

 

Yes its probably worn out but if you are lucky its just the PIS a little out of position (which needs a trip to the dealers computer anyway so he can say either clutch wear or PIS) - very small possibility of fluid level and/or weak pump or position sensor

 

Jumping into neutral? yep, classic symptoms telling you that you will need a new clutch

 

I had the same problem on my car right after I took delivery.

Clutch was not the issue. It was worn, but not that much.

My Indy guy reset the PIS using the SD2 and I put 4000 miles on in last fall without a single "N".

Car shifts like a dream.

 

Thanks guys for your help. I thought it would be a little too early to change the clutch given the miles that it has... I will take it to the dealer next week to get her rollin again. thanks!

 

From what I'm gathering, 19,000 miles is not premature clutch wear for these cars. It seems to be perfectly normal if it's worn.

 

You drive MUCH harder than I do, my clutch has 16,000 miles on it right now and is only 30% worn (70% left),I expect to get near 50,000miles total on my clutch. Which I still don't think is a lot compared to clutches on other cars, if my car was not a F1 I would expect even more miles on the clutch.

 

Sometimes the computer reading is not accurate, especially on the pre-2002 cars. The computer reading is just an estimation from the computers algorithm. The wear reading is not linear either. The first 50% of wear takes longer than the second 50% wear (that info is from what other owners have previously reported. I don't have personal knowledge). It's not an exact measurement from the clutch thickness. I've heard of cars, with a computer reading of 20% clutch life left, that have slipping clutches. If not driven properly, or driven hard, the F1 eats clutches (especially pre 2002). That's one reason that I wanted a newer than 2002, when I bought my car. I have low mileage on my 2004, but I think I'll be happy if I get 20K miles out of mine after some of the stories that I've heard. Either transmission, whether it's an F1 or a manual, will eat clutches if not driven properly or abused. I've heard of some clutches that lasted only about 5-7K miles! OUCH

 

my 99 has a 2004 TCU in it, put in at the same time the last clutch was put in. And I have heard the same about super low mileage clutches, I assume they were doing burnouts and launching the car, if not something was very wrong.

 

Techs at Algar told me on several occasions that something like 10-15k is typical replacement period for an F1 car and double that is 'possible' on a 3-pedal car. If you are getting more than 30k, you are probably the exception and not the rule.

Its not always the clutch lining that wears, so that percent-worn reading on F1 cars is little more than entertainment. It is a toasted ('toasty'?) flywheel (due to glazing or hotspots), leaky/dry/otherwise-shot throw out bearing, other issues with the clutch plate (glazing, loose rivets causing chatter), typically some combination of all these things...

 

That would be a Guiness record...

 

according to records first owner of my car got 38,000miles on the first clutch and that was a with 1999 TCU, my car now has a 2004 TCU which is supposed to be better.

 

38k would be extraordinary. Not saying it can't be done, but its more likely a service record (or ten) are missing.