clutch problem in my 89 Testarossa.

You probably lost hydraulic pressure in the system. In bleeding these, the manual states that when pressure is not present, the pedal stays on the floor and must be pulled back up by hand, which I know is true from experience. Check for fluid in the master cylinder, as the brakes and clutch share this, although if it were low you should have experienced brake failure too. Next try bleeding the clutch, the fitting is atop the bell housing. If that doesn't work, look for a leak in the line, or the throwout bearing may have failed inside the bell housing.

 

This just happened to my friends 91' Diablo. The clutch fluid all leaked out onto the garage floor

 

You might check the line from the brake master cylinder resevoir to the clutch master cylinder. My line was cracked and it only takes a few bubbles to mess things up. The line is cloth covered so it's hard to see cracks, my line just looked wet. Be careful in that the fitting into the clutch master is plastic and I managed to break it trying to get the hose off. I duplicated the part in stainless steel (part not available) and used a Porsche part #999 181 021 50 (used in 911's). Same cloth covering except it's blue. The stupid hose from Ferrari is probably $200! Good luck.

Jeff Pintler
89 348tb, 86TR

 

another potential reason is overheated clutch fluid. On the 512TR at least the clutch fluid line runs right behind the engine & trans & on the track Ive had the clutch go limp from overheated fluid. You can buy some insulating wrap & just zip tie it around the clutch hose. This will get rid of the heat problem

 

Clutch slave cylinder.

 

You would not neceessarily experience brake failure. If there are no leaks present as the brake pads wear the fluid level in the reservoir drops. The clutch fluid pickup is approx. halfway up in the reservoir. If the level drops below that you will loose clutch but have plenty of brakes. Add fluid and pressure test the system.

Karl