355 gas pedal sticking after engine hot | FerrariChat
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355 gas pedal sticking after engine hot

Discussion in '348/355' started by Dean355, Oct 19, 2008.

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  1. Dean355

    Dean355 Formula 3

    Sep 4, 2006
    1,101
    South Florida
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    Dean
    #1 Dean355, Oct 19, 2008
    I know this has been discussed before and I did check the threads, but not sure if my case was the same as what I read. My 355 is a 97 and not a 95, and the way the throttle sticks is after engine is hot, and, it sticks on high rpm when shifting gears and throttle stays at high rpm. I would have to give the gas pedal a quick kick for it to get back to low throttle. Very annoying at high speeds and shifting!

    I have read that the cable should be lubed from the engine side. My question is what kind of lube do I use that can stand the heat and remain active? Are we talking grease or a spray of WD40?

    Please advise.
    Thanks,
    Dean
     
  2. tactical

    tactical Guest

    Jan 23, 2008
    857
    #2 tactical, Oct 19, 2008
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2008
    Yes you can spray lube onto the cable and pivot system. Even with out removing any of the engine parts. I used to do this my self many years ago but there is a problem. I used a type of grease lube that i sprayed onto the cable, and over time it would collect the grit and siht. And thinking about it some cars never have there cables and linkages lubed for years, so spraying more grease on top is not a great idea. Its kind of out of site out of mind.
    So now i find the best cure for a sticky cable is to remove the water tank and middle engine cover, to get access to the cable, pivot and the throttle body linkages. Then using a digressing agent clean them all up while they are in situ. Then once thoroughly clean and looking like new i then re lube them with a thin layer of lube......perfect once more:D Maybe takes a two hours but its worth it and give you peace of mind that all is well under there.
    EDIT: Cleaning and decreasing also means that you can have a look at the condition of the cable, ie for any fraying. Fraying can cause a sticky throttle like one of mine did once.
     
  3. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #3 f355spider, Oct 19, 2008
    I have also heard of 355's where the cable has cut into the sheath it runs in, causing it to stick. Might be best to simply replace it.
     
  4. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
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    James
    #4 James-NZ, Oct 19, 2008
    I'm going to give this a shot tonight. Thanks for the post.
     
  5. conscom

    conscom Formula Junior

    Jan 6, 2008
    467
    Vancouver BC Canada
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    Gary
    #5 conscom, Oct 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have had good results with Corrosion Block made by Lear Chemical.(www.learchem.com). It penetrates and lubes and does not leave a sticky residue. Also great for electrical connections. Also check your throttle pedal pivot.
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  6. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,620
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    #6 ernie, Oct 20, 2008
    Before you go any further, did you remember to disable the hidden Ferrari cruse control? The "Ferrari cruse control" has been know to cause what you are describing. It's also known as the floor matt :D Be sure that it hasn't slid up over the throttle pedal first, then proceed with the rest of the diagnosis.
     
  7. conscom

    conscom Formula Junior

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    #7 conscom, Oct 20, 2008
    Good point, ernie. Forgot to mention that as well.
     
  8. Dean355

    Dean355 Formula 3

    Sep 4, 2006
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    South Florida
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    Dean
    #8 Dean355, Oct 20, 2008
    Thanks guys. Yes Ernie, that was the first thing I did (I read your previous post regarding the issue), unfortunately it is not the case. That cable is not as easy as I thought to reach! I was thinking to just replace the cable since getting to those areas requires that engine parts have to be taken out.

    Thanks again guys.
     
  9. johan6504

    johan6504 Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2005
    1,168
    Sweden
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    Johan
    #9 johan6504, Oct 20, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Have you had a look at number 29 in this picture? In my old 355 the bearing in this part got rusty and got stuck, might be worth taking a look at.
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  10. tactical

    tactical Guest

    Jan 23, 2008
    857
    #10 tactical, Oct 20, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yes mate that's the linkage that i was talking about. And it is easy to get to.
    Dean355 Remove the top cover and water tank. Move the power steering bottle to the side after unbolting the fuel distribution block via the two allen bolts. Then its exposed (see picture)
    That linkage can get gummed up along with the cable, but its the spring (#27) that gets gummed up the most and needs digressing.
    Cleaning the linkages, cable and the throttle body linkages is far far more easy that replacing the whole cable. So if you think that getting to the cable to clean it is hard, you wait until your are under the car....;);)
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  11. Dean355

    Dean355 Formula 3

    Sep 4, 2006
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    #11 Dean355, Oct 20, 2008
    Thanks Tactical and Johan, although it does sound easy, the issue is that I do not know which is exactly the top cover, water tank, the power steering bottle and the fuel distribution block. I do not want to start taking apart parts that have nothing to do with the ones you mentioned. And yes, that is how unfamiliar I am with the 355 parts!
     
  12. VTChris

    VTChris F1 World Champ

    Aug 21, 2005
    13,259
    #12 VTChris, Oct 20, 2008
    Oyyy!!!! DEAN!!!

    Shoulda kept the SS :D
     
  13. Dean355

    Dean355 Formula 3

    Sep 4, 2006
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    #13 Dean355, Oct 20, 2008
    Hahahaha! Chris, I am heading to the 360 soon!! And maybe even to the dark side and end up with a Gallardo!
     
  14. BigHead

    BigHead Formula Junior

    Oct 31, 2003
    995
    Outside of Boston
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    Dennis
    #14 BigHead, Oct 21, 2008
    A couple of points:

    1. Definitely check the entire cable; not only, as F355spider pointed out, can the cable fray, the way that Ferrari routed the cable, it passes over some very hot portions of the engine and cooling system, which can cause the sheath to partially melt and cool in a curve, causing binding. Cheap/easy enough to just replace the cable.

    2. As Johan6504 pointed out, the "quadrant" on top of the engine is the swivel bracket that the cable runs to. This is an updated part that Ferrari issued to try to address the notorious 355 sticky throttle issue. Check your car's records to see if you've gotten this updated part installed (not cheap).

    Good luck.

    vty,

    --Dennis
     
  15. Dean355

    Dean355 Formula 3

    Sep 4, 2006
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    #15 Dean355, Oct 22, 2008
    Thanks Dennis, I noticed that the pedal is now sticking at any engine temp, even when completely cold. However, the gas pedal sticks when depressed at 70% or more, and up to 100% but not when depressed below 70%. Go figure!!!
     
  16. brian.s

    brian.s F1 Rookie
    Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 3, 2003
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    #16 brian.s, Oct 22, 2008
    I have replaced a couple of cables, but the more common problem IS the pivot bearing in the linkage, that's taken apart and cleaned/lubed with a service here.

    Brian
    www.eurocardoc.com
     
  17. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

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    #17 gothspeed, Oct 22, 2008
    Sorry to hear about the sticking linkage Dean :( ................ I hope you get it sorted ...... and if you do go 360 (degrees) ................. you will end up at a 355 ............... ;) :D
     
  18. Dean355

    Dean355 Formula 3

    Sep 4, 2006
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    #18 Dean355, Oct 23, 2008
    Thanks Brian. Indi is too far for me. I will go to my previous 348 mechanic up in the Chicago area if I did not end up doing it myself.
     
  19. Dean355

    Dean355 Formula 3

    Sep 4, 2006
    1,101
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    #19 Dean355, Oct 23, 2008
    Ozzy, it will be a little while before I do that. Another option is to keep it and park a yellow 996TT next to it.
     
  20. cinquevalvole

    cinquevalvole Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,161
    Germany, Bayern
    #20 cinquevalvole, Oct 24, 2008
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2008
    Butterflys in the throttle pipe can go sticky.
    If only one of these eight flaps is scratching the wall you can feel it.
    Since symptoms occour under hot conditions, recall: metal is expanding in all directions. ;)

    Some fixed by refurbishing the flaps with fine sandpaper.


    cinque
     
  21. conscom

    conscom Formula Junior

    Jan 6, 2008
    467
    Vancouver BC Canada
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    Gary
    #21 conscom, Oct 28, 2008
    Dean, pls keep us posted on your diagnosis as mine sticks a little only on decceleration but not a real concern YET......and hopefully never. Good Luck on your safari.
     

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