348 Leak under car near clutch and brake pedal question

Go through this thread.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/leak-underneath-clutch-help.296614/

 

Does it smell like brake fluid or gear lube?

sjd

 

It's either going to be your triple seals (arrowed in red) or more likely your clutch release bearing housing that has a nasty habit of bursting :-(

Either way your going to find out is to strip it down and see (replace the triple seals whilst your in there anyway)


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Smear some between your fingers and try to wash it off with water. Brake fluid will wash off easily, oil will not.

I also found my clutch pedal rather "heavy" (1991 348, twin plate clutch) so I installed a clutch booster:

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Not necessarily bursting, it could be just the seals inside the clutch release gearing - which is what my issue was.

 

If it was gear oil, you'd be able to tell from the nasty odour. Also the colour. Gear oil will likely be dark, the brake fluid will be much lighter and almost sticky.

 

Eek - I feel for you! From above you've already had your throw-out bearing seals replaced (albeit very expensive). It would be interesting to see whether they have failed or the actual housing has burst.

Hills is the way to go... I say this because when I got my car there was already an invoice from Ferrari showing the housing had already been replaced combined with the later 355 style flange. The ideal combo is the later 355 flange and a Hills bearing housing. They do a kit but it's worth dismantling everything first to check you don't already have the 355 flange as in my case. Combined with the Viton triple seals it should be a fit and forget

Link to Hills page

https://www.hillengineering.co.uk/clutch-related

 

Clean looking setup! How is the pedal feeling?

I solved the heavy clutch issue by not skipping the leg day.

 

I used a PBR VH44 remote vacuum booster having the cylinder of the same diameter as the 348's clutch master (19 mm). I was concerned that the clutch may be too light but it turned out perfect - considerably lighter but still with a very good feel. Much more pleasant gear shifts and my leg does not start trembling during prolonged holding of the clutch in stop-go traffic.

 

@jgt2 Start by calling Jim @ Pocono Sports Car (who did your last service). They replaced all the seals in your release bearing, based on that document. I assume they replaced the triple seals, because they also rebuilt your flywheel, so a pretty comprehensive service on the clutch was performed. In either case, just give the shop a call and maybe send your pictures to them.

I'm 100% certain they want you to have a solid ownership experience with this car -- especially after all the work they've put into it. I'm not suggesting this is anyone's 'fault' or 'responsibility' or anything like that. Triple seals are quick, easy, and pretty cheap to replace. Just give them a call and let them discuss it directly with you.


p.s. I would refrain from driving right now. If it's not triple seals, but indeed the clutch bearing, a failure will leave you stuck on the side of the road without a clutch pedal.

 

Looks like throwout bearing. Not sure if the 348 flange is the same as the early 355 flange, but the only difference between early and late flange is the spring pocket spacing. While you can replace the flange, it will work fine with the early style flange. If it's the t/o bearing, definitely do the Hill bearing.

 

Hills have instructions on how to check here (along with a tiny diagram in the corner)

https://www.hillengineering.co.uk/clutch-related/flanges/crbf-348-355

Here's my 86mm one




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Hey buddy! Check your brake fluid level to see if it's below the full mark. Your clutch bleed screw might just be loose. It happens more than you think. All you need to tighten it is a 13mm wrench.