360 F1 Clutch problem?? help :(

Yes its probably worn out but if you are lucky its just the PIS a little out of position (which needs a trip to the dealers computer anyway so he can say either clutch wear or PIS) - very small possibility of fluid level and/or weak pump or position sensor

 

Jumping into neutral? yep, classic symptoms telling you that you will need a new clutch

 

I had the same problem on my car right after I took delivery.

Clutch was not the issue. It was worn, but not that much.

My Indy guy reset the PIS using the SD2 and I put 4000 miles on in last fall without a single "N".

Car shifts like a dream.

 

From what I'm gathering, 19,000 miles is not premature clutch wear for these cars. It seems to be perfectly normal if it's worn.

 

You drive MUCH harder than I do, my clutch has 16,000 miles on it right now and is only 30% worn (70% left),I expect to get near 50,000miles total on my clutch. Which I still don't think is a lot compared to clutches on other cars, if my car was not a F1 I would expect even more miles on the clutch.

 

Sometimes the computer reading is not accurate, especially on the pre-2002 cars. The computer reading is just an estimation from the computers algorithm. The wear reading is not linear either. The first 50% of wear takes longer than the second 50% wear (that info is from what other owners have previously reported. I don't have personal knowledge). It's not an exact measurement from the clutch thickness. I've heard of cars, with a computer reading of 20% clutch life left, that have slipping clutches. If not driven properly, or driven hard, the F1 eats clutches (especially pre 2002). That's one reason that I wanted a newer than 2002, when I bought my car. I have low mileage on my 2004, but I think I'll be happy if I get 20K miles out of mine after some of the stories that I've heard. Either transmission, whether it's an F1 or a manual, will eat clutches if not driven properly or abused. I've heard of some clutches that lasted only about 5-7K miles! OUCH

 

my 99 has a 2004 TCU in it, put in at the same time the last clutch was put in. And I have heard the same about super low mileage clutches, I assume they were doing burnouts and launching the car, if not something was very wrong.

 

Techs at Algar told me on several occasions that something like 10-15k is typical replacement period for an F1 car and double that is 'possible' on a 3-pedal car. If you are getting more than 30k, you are probably the exception and not the rule.

Its not always the clutch lining that wears, so that percent-worn reading on F1 cars is little more than entertainment. It is a toasted ('toasty'?) flywheel (due to glazing or hotspots), leaky/dry/otherwise-shot throw out bearing, other issues with the clutch plate (glazing, loose rivets causing chatter), typically some combination of all these things...

 

That would be a Guiness record...

 

according to records first owner of my car got 38,000miles on the first clutch and that was a with 1999 TCU, my car now has a 2004 TCU which is supposed to be better.

 

38k would be extraordinary. Not saying it can't be done, but its more likely a service record (or ten) are missing.