348 Triple Seals Issue

This may sound obvious, but have you checked the slave cylinder and seal on the throw out bearing? Do you have any damage to the clutch shaft itself? These can go bad or get worn to the point where you cannot get a good seal.

I find it unlikely that you would botch the seals job several times in a row without some other factor involved.

 

1. Gear oil
2. Should never wear under normal use

 

It has been a few years since I did mine, so hopefully some other experts will chime in. Would it be possible to take some pictures?

The system is a closed, hydraulic one, so if you have fluid leaking there has to be something that is not sealing. That limits it to either an imperfection in the seals (all of them, including the one on the bearing), or in the surfaces that the seals cover, the flange, or some imperfection in the hardware that regulates this system (i.e. the clip that prevents the slave cylinder from travelling too far.)

Did you replace your slave cylinder? After reading your other thread in the Tech section, I remember having to replace the seal on my slave cylinder. Mine looked ok, but would not seal until it was replaced due to either wear or age, but it did not have any obvious cracks. I think it is also a directional seal, so perhaps it was installed backwards?

Again, it's been a while since I did this, but I seem to recall being able to actuate the slave bearing with the clutch off and watch it move, so long as the clip on top of the flange is in place to prevent the slave cylinder from moving too far. If this is the case, maybe try taking the clutch off, having a friend put pressure on the pedal, and then watching the flange/slave assembly to see where the fluid is coming from?

If it is any consolation, I have read posts from people who went through a similar process and eventually determined that it was, in fact, improper seal installation.

I used the "card" method, where I put them around a card, then slid the card over the shaft and eased them on. There were a bit loose at the time, which concerned me, but I was told they would seal with time. That was 5 years ago, and I still have no leaks.

This write up makes some great suggestions about ensuring that the seal grooves don't have hidden debris in them, and other little issues like that!

My Ferrari 348 - 348 Clutch Replacement Part 2 Replacing the Triple Seals

Don't give up. It is a notoriously tricky job sometimes. I'm just a hack, but hopefully some of this might point you in the right direction.

 

This will likely be one of the seals in the TO bearing that has gone bad and is causing the leak. I had the same leak, and it was not gear oil, and was not the triple seals.

Check this thread:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355/296614-leak-underneath-clutch-help.html

 

If it's not stinky smelly gear oil, it's brake fluid, which means it's a leaking TO bearing seal. Replace those, problem solved. Not rocket science to do, just release the bearing by removing the two little bolts in the retainer at the top. Be sure to put a catch pan underneath, as you'll lose some fluid.