360 F1 Coupling Sensor | FerrariChat

360 F1 Coupling Sensor

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by alex360S, Dec 6, 2009.

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  1. alex360S

    alex360S Formula Junior

    Oct 30, 2006
    324
    Montreal, Quebec
    Full Name:
    Alex
    Is it possible for F1 fluid to leak from the attachment point of the coupling sensor to the F1 actuator, or is there no oil present at that part of the actuator. I noticed F1 oil all over that sensor after the belly pan was removed. The rest of the actuator is totally dry. I did notice that the protective covering surrounding the hydraulic lines is drenched in oil. The car runs fine although the F1 fluid level has dropped to the first marking on the stick.
     
  2. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    Check for cracks in fluid block 196819. Hill Engineering makes an updated one because the originals crack so frequently. From my vantage point (certainly *not* a professional mechanic), these fail pretty frequently. It's one of those Ferrari parts that we seem to sell about 30%-40% of the time we sell a clutch.

    Part #35 in this diagram: 360 Clutch
     
  3. alex360S

    alex360S Formula Junior

    Oct 30, 2006
    324
    Montreal, Quebec
    Full Name:
    Alex
    Knowing the problem with the fluid blocks, it was the first thing that I checked and all was dry. I'm starting to wonder if one of the hydraulic lines developed a leak higher above and the fluid then collects at the lowest point which is the coupling sensor. It seems that the protective jacket enveloping the hydraulic lines is humid all the way up to the pump.
     
  4. cwwhk

    cwwhk Formula 3

    Nov 13, 2003
    1,535
    Hong Kong, Tokyo
    Full Name:
    Wayne
    #4 cwwhk, Dec 7, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2009
    Position and coupling sensors are not under hydraulic pressure.

    If all the hydraulic banjo connection points at the actuator and power unit are dry, but the fiber glass heat protection sleeve is soaked in F1 oil, then you most likely have a leak in one of the stainless steel braided high pressure hoses. I have had a couple of hose failures in 4 years of racing a 360 Challenge. Better have that checked out ASAP, before a complete hose rupture, which can easily cause a oil fire.

    OEM hoses are BIG money. Depending on which one of the 5 hoses, they are about $1000 for the cheap one and $2000 for the expensive one. There is another much cheaper option, which is to take your old hose to a race shop or hydraulic equipment specialist shop to re-swage the old OEM banjo connectors onto new SS braided PTFE hose for very little money. In Hong Kong it costs only $20 The banjos at the two ends of the hose are at certain angle to each other, so they must be swaged onto the new hose in the same relative angle to each other or else you won't be able to fit the hose back on the power unit and actuator correctly. This is because SS braided PTFE hose does not twist so the angles of the connectors must be right.
     
  5. cwwhk

    cwwhk Formula 3

    Nov 13, 2003
    1,535
    Hong Kong, Tokyo
    Full Name:
    Wayne
    Nice product. If mine ever leaks, I'll know where to buy the replacement.
     
  6. alex360S

    alex360S Formula Junior

    Oct 30, 2006
    324
    Montreal, Quebec
    Full Name:
    Alex
    Seems like a very probable cause. I will definitely inspect each hose for leaking or rupture.

    Thanks for the insightful reply,

    Alex
     
  7. Robin360

    Robin360 Formula 3

    Dec 2, 2007
    2,094
    Europe
    Full Name:
    Robin
    I'm having a similar problem; the sensor is covered with oil. However in my case it's not F1 oil but gearbox oil. There seems to be a gasket inside the hydraulic actuator that is leaking and it comes out via the sensor. In my case the entire hydraulic actuator needs to be replaced I think, which is about $10000 :(
    I sure hope your problem is not the same! Both F1 oil and gearbox oil could leak via the sensor.

    Robin
     
  8. kzsport

    kzsport Karting

    Feb 23, 2008
    112
    china
    Full Name:
    BRIAN
    I've f1 system self-learning error at this moment....still not find out the reason cause by..
    Clutch sensor fixed broken and heat exchange leak find out when I disassembles the gear box unit.
    The F1 fluid Overflows while water temp high and fans doesn't work....
    In fact
    My 360 shifting N-1st-2nd gear as normal as before...But shifting gear from 2nd to 3th doesn't carry out....goto dealership and testing then shown shlf-learning error by 3th gear engaraged and trans light on...

    Any advice??

    thanks
    brian
     
  9. North East Auto Doctors

    BANNED

    Nov 11, 2009
    65
    conn
    Full Name:
    Adam Varney
    Some times the F1 level is too high and the car will puke the excess up through the cap thats the highest point in the system.
     

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