612 OTO - Changing the clutch at 70,000 kms…

I am looking for some advice. The clutch has never been changed in my car and I wonder if I should just go ahead and plan a proactive change at 70k kms even if all appears well.

My 2009 612 OTO had 28k kms and a 62% clutch wear when purchased in November of 2021. At 46k kms, the dealer in Paris estimated 68% clutch wear and at 54k kms the dealer in Mulhouse who sold me the car estimated 68% clutch wear. As a result, I am a sceptical of the estimates on wear.

A few weeks ago I had a rejected upshift while accelerating onto the autoroute (5 to 6 failed, dropping the car into neutral) and the “gear unavailable” message. Pulled the paddle again and the car went straight into 6th and there have been no problems since. The shifts are not harsh and I don’t discern any reduction in the performance of the shift mechanism.

We are currently at 66k kms, and should hit 70k within 2 months. My gut tells me to start planning the parts acquisition and work slot with the dealer to minimise downtime, but if the clutch has another 30k in her I don’t want waste that.

Recommendations?

Bill

 

It's very easy to have the car plugged into OBD to check the clutch life, then you can figure out what you need to do. I have my 599 checked regularly so I will know when I'm getting close to a $10,000.00 clutch.

 

If it has not been done recently, an F1 service would be a good idea while checking the clutch. The F1 fluid needs to be changed every 3 years and at that time she should be bled, self test completed, checked for leaks, and PIS optimized. That twin disc clutch is pretty tough and should last quite a while. F1 service is kind of a pain in the 612 and 599 but needs to be done regularly.



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I would not plan on changing the clutch simply based on mileage, especially for the kind of driving you do. Those clutches are really tough. Good idea on the F1 service, though.

 

Transmission Failure Warning @68000 kms…reverse, neutral, 1st, 2nd are available,,,can’t shift to third.

 

That is a symptom of several potential problems. When mine did that, it was a potentiometer.

Need an. SD3 to diagnose.

 

I second Taz. Same symptoms from my 575. New potentiometer and all is well.

 

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off to the dealer to see what the problem is….I had to drive her about 600 meters to get her to the transporter and of course in that time the “transmission failure warning” light went away and all was normal. My gut says a worn clutch slipping in the big traffic jam on Sunday overheated…but we will see. Estimate to change the clutch is 7k. Labor rates are up versus last year.

 

I would guess some sort of electronic issue, rather than a clutch issue. Have you been able to smell the clutch burning?

My car can give all sorts of warnings if you try to start it too quickly. If you wait and let it sort itself out before trying to start it, it works much better. Also, you would be amazed at what a low battery will do!

How old is your battery, and do you keep the car on a charger?

 

Warning occurred about 215 km into a 225 km drive so the battery would have been properly topped up. While no one would say an F1 transmission is a smooth operator in stop and go traffic, the shifts felt a bit “jerky” as compared to normal and the clutch was smelling when we got into the parking at the end of the trip.

On the larger issue of the battery and start up…The car had driven 600km in the previous 48 hours and I never press the start button until the check light goes out. I have a tender but rarely use it as the car is never idle for more than 3-4 days and always has a good 200 km run (at least) every week.

I have just passed 40,000 km of driving in just 16 months.

 

Good luck getting one of those !

 

Well the diagnosis is: clutch overheat warning…system says 73% wear…technician says visual inspection shows clutch is done.

We will need to inspect the flywheel, let’s hope it is ok or it’s another 4K part to change.

When I bought the car at 28k kms the clutch was 62% at 46k kms it was 68%, at 54k kms it was 68% again, and at 68k it is showing 73%….not sure the computer readings make much sense.

With the clutch change, an F1 service and normal fluids it’s going to be a big bill.

 

I had my clutch replaced recently.
Ironically it was a leaking throw out bearing, not the clutch, that requires all the same work. So with that said, it was 45% worn, and confirmed with visual inspection once they got to it.
With so much labor to get to that, I had the clutch, bearing, and pressure plate replaced. I figured no sense going back in here to replace the clutch in the not to distant future. My logic was do it once cry once and any future use is like new. Done in 2021, about 5k miles since, it was about $8800. US

 

Sorry to hear about what’s happening. Therefore something to pay attention to: the system can give a false reading.

You take great care of your car, soon it will be perfect again

 

[QUOTE=" have just passed 40,000 km of driving in just 16 months.[/QUOTE]

What a pleasure reading your sentence, you truly drive your Ferrari, that’s fantastic!!

 

I wonder what makes an OTO flywheel so expensive. You can buy 6 (yes six) 599 gtb flywheels for the cost of the OTO specific flywheel, while the twin disc clutch is the same for both.​

 

Sorry to hear this, I'm in the middle of some issues myself but haven't posted yet. You drive your car a lot so when you straighten it out you will have years of no worries.

 

Maybe it's because of the Supply and Demand?

There are many more 599GTBs than 612 OTOs, and probably many of the OTOs are garage queens and never get driven much less need clutch changes, I reckon.

 

Here is the flywheel...needs to be replaced according the the dealer.

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I would agree with the replacement, and there was a lot of heat, evident by the bluing.

 

Sorry to read this, @LondonParis . The flywheel is different in OTOs?

 

Yes it is... and 5x a normal 612 flywheel.

But by next Friday she will have new clutch, flywheel and her 70k km service so she will be good to go...

 

I would have thought the OTO used the same flywheel as the 599 since they made the effort to use the 599 twin disc clutch and gearbox case to go along with Superfast I. From the price differential, a shame they did not.

 

@LondonParis, You've well documented your enjoyment of your 612. Hopefully this experience won't dim that and, now that she will have her new clutch, flywheel and service, you will have many future miles of trouble free enjoyment. Keep on driving the heck out of her.

 

When i bought her 18 months ago the service manager said I should expect to change the clutch after 20-25k additional kms and i got just over 40k out of her so i can't say it wasn't expected. The only downside is a flywheel to that costs nearly 5k USD when vat is added.

Next roadtrip is just a few weeks away.