348 Clutch issue almost ruined my weekend

Internal leak inside the clutch master cylinder -- sometimes the seal is OK and sometimes not (so the fluid goes around the seal rather than out the pipe to the slave cylinder).

Changing/bleeding the fluid regularly can help prolong the life of the seal(s) (and can sometimes be a bit of a cure), but, if still the originals, you are ~25 years old so, even with best care, you are beyond a reasonable life for an elastomeric seal anyway.

 

Yes, this may help lots of pointers there. Different car but generally applicable.

 

If you do it posts pics and document for others, especially removing it and reinstalling it, the linkage, sort of tight under the dash etc. You will probably figure out some tricks so let us know.

 

I forgot not everyone does their own work, apologies, but yes some pics would be good, thankyou!

 

A few years back, when I replaced my throwout bearing, I couldn’t get pedal pressure. The solution was to “deadhead” the master cylinder. So if you get your master cylinder rebuilt/replaced and you can get pedal pressure to may need to deadhead it.

Here is the link to were it is and how to access it. It starts on post #46 https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/348-throwout-bearing-removal.372483/page-2

 

Ernie is Mr. 348

 

Awesome thanks. Been dreading having to do this job if ever. But I am doing brakes soon and will watch for this. As far as the tip for the mechanic, he won't make his boat payments with fewer hours billed.

Enjoy the car!

 

Thanks for bringing it to a conclusion. Too many just end without a resolution or final disposition.

 

Thanks for the conclusion. FWIW, I have used this bleeding procedure many times on other cars. Not sure how it would work on the Fcar, but it is a neat trick.

 

I use a pressure bleeder to push fluid but I still need to cycle the pedal several times during the bleed. I have also found it very helpful with clutch fluid refresh and bleeding or component replacement to let the vehicle sit overnight and test the first pedal push to feel any micro air bubble that migrated to the same high spot and will cause a soft pedal. If I find a soft first push, I will bleed again and it will always have one last bubble. If it has a firm first push, I don't bleed again.
Good job on the diagnosis and the follow up report, always nice to hear the final report and it is positive.
Now go drive it.