355 sticking throttle problem | FerrariChat

355 sticking throttle problem

Discussion in '348/355' started by stan996turbo, Jun 12, 2004.

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  1. stan996turbo

    stan996turbo Formula Junior

    Jun 11, 2004
    712
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Stan
    The '97 355 I owned previous to my current 02 996 turbo had an issue with the throttle, in that the first part of travel would stick making it nearly impossible to drive smoothly. I am selling my TT and would consider another 355 but would like to know if there is a resolution to this problem. Otherwise I intend to buy a 550.
     
  2. EVartanian

    EVartanian Formula 3

    Mar 19, 2002
    1,180
    Sunny SoCal
    Full Name:
    Eric
    Notice it's your first post, so...Welcome!!! This topic was recently being discussed actually, here's the link...

    It actually hasn't disappeared yet into the depths of the postings, you can still see it in the Modern forum. Good luck!

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20500
     
  3. goldyF355

    goldyF355 Formula 3

    May 30, 2004
    1,408
    Toronto
    Full Name:
    Steve G.
    Yup, that sticky throttle is quite the [email protected]'m getting it "repaired" in 2 weeks time by the dealer...Im having the throttle cable replaced, an updated throttle quadrant installed, will also insulate around any hoses or other "hot" surfaces near the throttle cable travel path (as per helpful suggestion from another member)...apparently,the cable partially melts and sticks through a portion of its travel.

    I will let you now how it turns out.

    I also came from a 02 996 TT, its SO much easier to drive in any condition, but strangely, SO much less satisfying to do so,lol.

    Goldy
     
  4. F355Bob

    F355Bob Formula 3

    I did replace my throttle quadrant and it helped 95%. It still sticks slightly but not enough to ruin driving in slow traffic.
     
  5. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
    16,047
    Orchard Park, NY
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    Dave Lelonek
    Hey Guys,

    So, last night I attempted to take my car for a ride for the first time in about 3 weeks (I've been doing paint correction for a few weeks).

    Right away, the pedal felt funny to me but I initially thought it was because I had not drove the car in a while and was not used to it. No dice. I got about 1000 feet from my house when I had to shut the car down due to the pedal being stuck and the car rapidly accelerating…(not fun).

    So, I pushed the car home.

    It appears the cable is not retracting. Does anyone have any photos they can post related to this issue?

    Thanks in advance.
     
  6. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
    6,918
    Richmond
    Full Name:
    Pete
    This is a known issue on these cars, my car had it repaired at one point prior to my ownership and it's quite smooth. I'm not sure what exactly was done but I can see if I can find the receipt for it and how much detail it goes into.

    The other issue is that it is tough to crack the throttle under engine braking as you have to break vacuum on all 8 throttle plates. The only fix for that is to get a 360 with the drive-by-wire setup or to just press the clutch in when decelerating so you don't have to fight the vacuum on the throttle plates.
     
  7. mike_747

    mike_747 Formula Junior

    Dec 15, 2008
    794
    Seattle
    They all do this. I've learned to live with it, rather than have the dealer try and adjust the 8 throttle plates, spend $500 and have no guarantee that things would improve. After all, these cars are meant to be driven at full throttle, not part throttle.
     
  8. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
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    I can't live with a throttle stuck mid way - that makes no sense....

    Bashing into cars in front of me won't be fun ;-)
     
  9. mike_747

    mike_747 Formula Junior

    Dec 15, 2008
    794
    Seattle
    true, your situation is extreme. Usually these stick at low rpm while turning a corner in 2nd gear and trying to feather the throttle. Takes a lot of practice.
     
  10. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
    16,047
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    Dave Lelonek
    Prior to yesterday (which is clearly a mechanical issue), I had no problems with the car....
     
  11. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,792
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    The throttle cable is in a tube. The tube gets water in it. The water causes rust. Rust makes it stick. Replace the throttle cable.
     
  12. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
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    I just ordered a cable from Ricambi - cheap enough that I want to have it even before I get into the issue. I'm concerned about the melting issue mentioned above because I have the feeling this is what happened since I recall seing some smoke when the car was idling..
     
  13. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    Dec 1, 2004
    7,792
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    Bruce Bogart
    The throttle cable nor its' housing won't melt as it doesn't run anywhere near extreme heat. Only way I can see that happening is if the motor has a bad ground and chooses to ground thru the cable.
     
  14. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
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    See post 3 of this thread....
     
  15. cuneo

    cuneo Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 20, 2006
    2,484
    Pretty sure there are multiple things affecting our throttles, and I've done the following and my throttle is quite smooth but not perfect once the car is hot:

    1. Replace frayed cable (helped a bit)
    2. disassemble pedal assembly, relube (helped a bit)
    3. Replace motor mounts (huge difference)

    In my case, the motor mounts were so shot that the engine was resting on the frame bungling up the cable.
     
  16. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
    6,918
    Richmond
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    Pete
    I think the bell-crank in the center of the engine can get messed up as well.
     
  17. Wolfgang5150

    Wolfgang5150 F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
    4,706
    Hope this isn't a major issue Dave. There's no f-ing way this is a normal problem that anyone should live with....
    Kevin
     
  18. Nosevi

    Nosevi Formula 3

    Jul 8, 2011
    1,990
    Lincoln
    Full Name:
    Pete
    Dave, does your throttle pedal work the same as our 348 ones? On mine the grease in the system had pretty much solidified in places and the cable length was pulling a bit etc. Anyway, got an indie here to sort it, could give them a shout and get a blow by blow of how they did it if it's the same system. Anyway, now my throttle pedal is super smooth and very precise, returns quicker than I can move my foot tbh.

    Standby for the dullest vid known to man (but does demo it pretty well)

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqht4E6SmXU]348 accel - YouTube[/ame]
     
  19. Terry

    Terry Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    250
    Cheshire, UK
    Full Name:
    Terry
    #19 Terry, Jun 4, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    A few suggestions for you:
    1. Be sure carpet/mat is not interfering with pedal
    2. Ensure correct adjustment of cable. If cable is too tight it will cause pedal to be slow to release, back off cable locknuts on end of cable at bellcrank a couple of turns. (accessible by removing water header tank shroud and lifting tank up a little to get your hands into the area.
    3. Remove cover over pedal mechanism and remove pedal and bellcranks, clean and re-grease.
    4. Check bell crank in engine valley rotates freely and is not binding. If required, remove, disassemble, re-grease and change bearings if required. Check rod end bearings at bellcrank for freedom of movement.
    5. Replace throttle cable.

    A couple of pictures of the bellcrank area I have which may help.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  20. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Terry, thank you for those photos - this is perfect.

    However, I need to bust your balls about suggestion #1 - are people really this dumb ;-)

    I clearly have a mechanical problem and I'm 99% certain it's not the pedal pivot since the pedal is moving freely. It's most likely the cable or where the cable connects to the throttle body and your photos really help show me what it looks like. I hope to get into this later this evening.
     
  21. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 26, 2012
    3,821
    Tinton Falls, NJ
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    Bob Ferraris
    Great pics Terry.

    Are there bearings in those rod ends or is it a simple ball socket type connection?

    Looks like a bunch of potential culprits for gummed up and binding.
     
  22. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    #22 Dave rocks, Jun 5, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

    Those are spherical rod ends Bob (bearings)
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  23. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,707
    South East
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    Jimmie
    Why are you surprised ? Many previous similar threads have referred to this as the cause and to be honest when you mentioned it happening to you after cosmetic work.....you get my drift ? All it takes is for the carpet to slip a little during work and foul the throttle only slightly
     
  24. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
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    I drove over 800 miles since my interior work. And, the first thing I checked when this happened was the carpet / floor mat. It took 2 seconds to realize that's not the issue...
     
  25. Terry

    Terry Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    250
    Cheshire, UK
    Full Name:
    Terry
    Good luck Dave with the repair.

    Sorry to mention the obvious regarding the carpet but yes it has caught people out before.

    When you replace the cable be sure not to take up all the slack when refitting/adjusting the cable on the bellcrank.

    I recently refitted my engine and do not like a throttle which needs a slight push before doing anything so I took up all the slack on the adjuster. That resulted in a sticky throttle just like something is binding, backed off the adjustment locknuts a few turns and all is well.
     

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