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Clutch not engaing on hard acceleration

Discussion in '360/430' started by Skidkid, Jul 16, 2007.

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  1. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
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    Aug 25, 2005
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    Campbell, CA
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    John Zornes
    #1 Skidkid, Jul 16, 2007
    I was driving my car the other day and had an odd experience. I punched it hard off the line and the clutch failed to hook up well, lots of nasty burned clutch smell. I backed off and it hooked up, then on to 2nd and a repeat of the problem. The car use to hook perfectly so this is new behavior.

    A little possibly important information:
    The car is a 2001 F1. The TCUs have been upgraded. I generally accelerate pretty easily. I corner hard and drive fast but I don't accelerate hard from a stop. I recently replaced the battery so I had the power off. After the startup/learning cycle I drove the car normally, fairly gently on acceleration. The car has 18K miles and the clutch was replaced once by the previous owner.

    The real question is the cause. A few thoughts or ideas:
    1) Is there a learning cycle for the TCUs based on driving? If so, would it keep the clutch from hooking up solidly on hard acceleration?

    2) The clutch may be bad. I have driven it since and it appears to be normal. I do not get any of the typical popping out of gear that has been described may times.

    3) The clutch needs adjusted. Maybe the clutch really needs adjusted a little tighter.

    Other idea?
     
  2. SoftwareDrone

    SoftwareDrone F1 Veteran
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    Jan 19, 2004
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    Mike
    #2 SoftwareDrone, Jul 16, 2007
    I am sure that RifleDriver would have given some invaluable insight into this issue had he not been ran off of this forum.
     
  3. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    10,142
    Orange County, CA
    #3 SrfCity, Jul 16, 2007
    Try this, as the clutch puter settings may be off. Drive the car around in automatic mode for about 30 minutes while the puter resets itself to default. Then put it back to F1 and see if that does it? This came from a local mechanic who suggests doing this when the car has been sitting and the clutch begins to act up. Let us know if it works?
     
  4. RayJohns

    RayJohns F1 Veteran
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    #4 RayJohns, Jul 17, 2007
    if the problem only happens with high revs, you may have the same problem I outlined a while back on this thread:

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149344

    With the manual gearbox, you can feel more what's going on with the clutch. With the F1, I would think the feeling I describe may be masked to some degree. This may or may not be the case. However, if it is, it may allow the clutch to wear down more, until the problem is worse. Basically, I think it boils down to a worn out (or wearing out) clutch.

    Ray
     
  5. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
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    #5 Skidkid, Jul 17, 2007
    Thanks Ray, I will take a look. Unfortunately my first guess is that the clutch is getting thin. I would just drive it until it goes but I really don't want to get stranded so ....

    I guess I need to get an appointment with Brian and take it in.
     
  6. RayJohns

    RayJohns F1 Veteran
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    #6 RayJohns, Jul 17, 2007
    Yeah, if you read that link, I think the problem does stem from a thin clutch disc, which allows the pressure plate to over extend in the resting position.

    Ray
     
  7. Spinne

    Spinne Rookie

    Jul 16, 2007
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    Steven S
    #7 Spinne, Jul 18, 2007
    I have a clutch that if new. Only 6% wear and I also have some excessive slip, or so says the dealer. He told me that the plate could be glazed. He also told me to go easy on it.
     
  8. RayJohns

    RayJohns F1 Veteran
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    #8 RayJohns, Jul 18, 2007
    perhaps the gearbox/clutch needs to have that PIS thing (point of initial slip) adjusted also. Isn't that an F1 adjustment using the SD3?

    Ray
     
  9. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
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    #9 Skidkid, Jul 18, 2007
    I had thought of that but haven't had it in since it is fine diving around town. Once engaged it is fine and shifts well so I haven't rushed. I am starting to think that it runs better if I drive it like I stole it.
     
  10. Stew

    Stew Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2006
    547
    Los Angeles
    #10 Stew, Jul 18, 2007
    I read the description you gave of yourself on your webpage ! http://spaces.msn.com/members/mikeniday

    "I am flexible, extremely generous, good communicator, and generally try to see the good in people.... "

    You forgot to list that you are also a WHINER !

    If Brian feels a need to defend himself, I'm sure his has no problem doing so.

    Warmest regards,

    Stew ;)
     
  11. cig1

    cig1 F1 Rookie

    May 3, 2005
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    #11 cig1, Jul 18, 2007
    Here's another possibility granted I run a standard 6-speed.

    About 2-3 times over the past year, I had a problem with the clutch pedal returning from the floor. It would come up, but, it was sticky, it wouldn't come up with my foot. Naturally, the clutch would not fully engage. The couple of times this happened, I would press and release the clutch a few times, maybe up to 10 times until it felt normal again and it would run normal for months ... something was binding. Last weekend, my pedal got hard. It would go to the floor and return, but would not engage until almost near the top. I could shift normally through the gears, BUT, when I would tourque the car, the clutch would give and the revs jumped. Well, time for a new clutch ... but I don't have that many miles on the car ... less than 20k. When the tranny was pulled and clutch disassembled, there was plenty of clutch left on the plate. What we did find was, some of the wire type springs from around the throwout bearing had broken and were finding their way in between the pressure place and bearing. Oh well, we are replacing the clutch plate, throwout bearing and related seals and stuff. Also needed a new tranny mount bushing ... it was mush.

    Blah blah blah blah ....

    G
     

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