F1 actuator leaking WHY?

Ok I searched and found some other owners with the same issue however no one either found a fix or posted what they discovered.
My F1 actuator (not the pump) leaks a small amount of oil from a black rubber tube when at operating temperature. I have no idea what the tube is, on the parts diagram it is part of the entire actuator assembly. Replacing the actuator is a very stupidly expensive part so that’s not an option.

Does anyone know what the tube is for? It almost appears to be an air vent or overflow tube.

Has anyone had the same issue and resolved it?

Any ideas?

In the second pic the screw driver is pointing at the open end of the tube with a small amount of oil on it.
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I should look into my leak...mine leaks generously, pretty much only in the cold winter months when seals shrink...last summer never saw a drop. I haven't taken the shield off to see where it's coming from though...

 

I would dare bet it's coming from the same place as mine. I wonder if it's an overflow tube, although that doesn't make much sense located on the actuator. Does it?

 

Someone has to have some information about this??? Where are all the stooges?

 

All you have to do is turn the hose upwards and your leak should stop

 

Really??? Until the tube fills up with fluid and it still comes out.

I found out today from another f-chat member what is most likely going on. The tube oil leaks from is connected to an over pressure relief valve on the actuator. The assumption is the spring in the valve is weakening and allowing fluid to leak out.

 

Mine only leaks when temps are really cold. And when I say leaking it's probably only a few drops. Last summer not one drop came out. Several Fchatters have had the same issues with theirs.

 

yep that is what mine does... It's not a big issue, just annoying at this time.

 

Just try it

 

When that happens, just install a longer tube

Mine does the same thing....and that would be the most logical explanation I have heard so far.

 

An overpressure relief wouldn't make sense, why not let that go into the reservoir?

 

I had my car at the dealer for the fuel divider warranty fix and warned him about the actuator leak so it didn't mess up their pristine floor...he said no problem, we're familiar with that on 355 F1's

 

In the intervening years (14!) since this post, has anyone come up with a solution for the cold weather actuator leak issue?

I didn’t know about it until I searched and it calmed me down a bit to read that it is very common (never an issue for me in FL or in CO summer) but was shocked to see it after a winter drive last month on a sunny (but still cold) day.

Has anyone come up with a fix for this? Or is the 2025 answer just “yeah… they do that.”

Thanks!

 

Convert it to manual.


{{Vain attempt at humor}}

 

It's not leaking - It's weeping that it shouldn't even be there.

 

Anybody have an actual answer here and not just lame attempts at humor by the BMW crowd?

after climate controlling my garage this is less of an issue, but I still don’t like it.

 

Let me ask this question. If they designed in a vent tube to the actuator which is full of high pressure fluid at 50 bar because they expect it to vent and therefore weep, why would you expect the tube to be bone-dry? And if it is bone-dry, why have the tube at all? It really is a small problem to live with.

 

That is a fair point; but given that this is my 4th Ferrari, and 1st with an F1 (non-DCT, non 3 pedal) transmission, I’m just making triple sure that it’s “normal”.

If there isn’t a fix, and it is by design- that’s fine. I just know that FCar owners are a persnickety group and if there WAS a fix, someone would know.

Seems like climate controlling the garage WAS the fix. It definitely doesn’t do this when garaged at my FL house.

 

Watson- what was the long term fix for this? Was it a weak spring as you’d heard? Did you do a rebuild? You garage your F1 in a cold climate if I recall…

 

My cars stay at 70 degrees in the winter. I have not seen any leak or concern.

I did clean it all up when I did my engine out here two years ago. It drives fine so decided I didn't care and best to leave it alone.

I did put a new hose on it.