Another F1 Issue Thread

Hey guys. I've developed a bit of a problem I am hoping someone could share some insight on. I have a few issues with my F1 360 I believe could be related, but I very well could be mistaken.

I had an issue where once every few hundred miles or so the car would drop into neutral when shifting gears. This would happen at any gear. I assumed it was the clutch, since the place I bought it from said it needed one. Upon closer inspection via the window, the clutch was almost brand new.

I then had a TCU reflashed to CS spec by a reputable person on here. I noticed that after installing it, the car makes a noise on the 4th to 5th shift at mid throttle when warm. It doesn't really sound like a grind. More like a loud scratch. I removed it and put in the old one. I tried talking to the person who did the flash for some ideas, but they won't respond. I put back the original TCU and now the same problem happens.

After that issue developed, I bled the F1 system and did a relearn. Nothing. I then hooked up an SDx and set PIS up the proper way on both TCUs as well as a relearn. No change. I did learn however that the clutch solenoid appears to be leaking 100cc/min according to the SDx on the old TCU which is not ideal. The cs TCU says it isn't, however I can't help but wonder if that is from the car that was used to flash it.

I thought it could be a synchro. That would be strange since at no throttle it makes no sound when I shift. I heard of someone having a synchro start going so they switched to mt90 from 75w90ns and their sound went away. I changed fluids and it made no difference.


When I changed fluids, I noticed that there was leaking at the position sensor on the actuator. I decided to change number 69 (lol) and pulled the sensor. I was expecting a bunch of fluid to come out when I did, but there wasn't much. Is there not supposed to be fluid in that area, and if not, any ideas where it came from?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I can't help but feel that the answer is somewhere in the F1 system, but I haven't completely ruled out a synchro. I could be wrong, but I believe it is the 5th and 6th gear by where the actuator mounts and that all looks good, although the friction material could be on it's way out. My current course of action is to swap in that part on the actuator and the clutch solenoid on the F1 unit. Any other ideas? I have a friend who had F1 issues and made his own manual conversion and I'm starting to consider attempting the same thing after all of this. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I unfortunately do not have an SDX but there was a shop that allowed me to use theirs with a technician. I have never received any errors that lit up the dash except for the time the TCU disconnected while driving due to a faulty clip. After clearing the codes I believe were associated with that, no new ones popped up. I did take pictures of the parameters from the SD2. All of these are while the engine was off. During the calibrations, everything was green. It never had a problem except with communicating with the server. I was impressed at how buggy the fabled SD is haha.

I'd say when fully depressurized, the system would take 10 seconds or so to pressurize. I do know it isn't holding pressure as well as it should, but it never caused an issue before. I believed it was the accumulator, but now think it may be the clutch solenoid. With my luck it's both.

These pictures are with the original TCU. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The clutch solenoid has been replaced and the bleed and relearn procedure was a success. However I noticed on the undertray and bumper that the actuator has been leaking more than I had thought. I think I am going to disassemble it and take a closer look. I know there were talks of a seal kit and I am wondering if any of that came to fruition.

 

The car is still in pieces. I haven't tried it yet. I think I should fix the actuator leaks first so I can rule out the F1 system.

 

Finally had some time to work on it. I have the actuator apart except that screw at the bottom of the cylinder which appears to be seized. I removed the set screw holding it in and put kroil in it, which hasn't appeared to help. Then I got angry and started drinking. Will update on progress later. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The clutch solenoid was previously leaking, which I recently fixed. Odd that there is a parameter in the TCU for the leakage rate, but not a threshold to throw the red light of death.

I've already heard about 20 people tell me to convert it to stick so that isn't very constructive. Besides gasket material is $10 a sheet on Amazon. If I need any o rings i don't foresee them being much more.

If this doesn't work I think it's in the transmission from the clutch not disengaging properly for a few years unbeknownst to me because no light. If that's the case, I'll be digging into that as well.

Am I guaranteed success at all of these things? No, but I wouldn't be satisfied with myself if I didn't try. I already rebuilt the power unit which isn't supposed to be doable.

 

I'm literally one bolt away from having it apart to replace the gasket and y'all want me to give up?

 

That was the plan, but the car keeps saying no.

 

Good thing it's almost winter

 

Thank you! That would be greatly appreciated!

 

I think the current plan of attack is to attempt to rebuild the actuator. I don't see the point in not trying. If that fails, I will start piecing together a manual conversion.