348 won't shift

Hey guys,
I hoppwd into my '91 348tb today and clutch has less tension than I remember and I can't get the car in gear (or reverse) with engine running. with engine off, it slips in as normal. Is it a fluid being to low problem? Where do I even top it up? I have noticed some oil spots on garage floor but have been keeping an eye on engine oil level (while hot of course). Is this the problem? Anyone????????

HELP!!!

 

Your clutch is served by the same fluid tank as the brake system, in the front trunk. The level should be right up near the top.

If you can't get the car into gear when the engine is running, then the clutch is probably dragging. Was it operating OK last time you drove the car?

You may have a bad clutch slave cylinder, you may have a hydraulic leak in the system, you may have oil contamination on the disc, you may have broken fingers on the pressure plate, you may have an issue with the clutch master cylinder.... several possibilities.

The nice thing about the 348 is that the clutch can be easily removed from the car in an hour or less, once you know how to do it. Not difficult to diagnose.

Keep us posted.

 

Spring on clutch pressure plate is broken (see Miltonian's post above). Easily repaired by a rebuilder such as Friction Materials in Long Beach, CA. Pap has a thread on what it looks like and procedures.

 

I'll check the fluid up front first. What should I top it up with? ATF? Brake fluid?

 

I would note the level of the fluid right now relative to the inlet for the clutch master. Note the inlet to the clutch master is way higher than the low level on the reservoir. That catches many people out. If you take off the molded carpet you can clearly see what I mean. Then top it and bleed it. If that fails then it is time to start taking things apart and see what has failed. Sometimes you can "car on" "clutch in and out" and hear the noise of broken clutch parts as you vary the pedal. But, that is not always the case.

 

Yikes! Don't top up the brake/clutch fluid with ATF! The proper stuff is DOT4 brake fluid.

 

Exactly right.

Here are two threads with the procedure and plenty of pics:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=296274

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=296614

PAP also has a good thread on it but I couldn't find it...nevertheless, these two threads will have everything you need, including a pic in Ernie's thread of the broken fingers in the diaphragm spring.

 

Really awesome guys! I'll have a peak at it as soon as I get back to town. I'll post a reply when I figure it out.

Thanks again all!!!

 

Excellent, good luck and keep us posted.

 

Here are my two threads, they may be of help to you.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86136&page=9

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93933&page=11