Clutch Problem

This is where one says, change your mechanic! You can do all clutch work without removing the gearbox. As the work involved is not particulsrly difficult, It might be a good idea to check and clean every thing out. The idea of towing a dino is not one I like.

However the first thing you should do is make sure the clutch cable is good!

Do you have movement in the clutch pedal? Is it loose or do you feel pressure? When you depress the pedal do you see (you need two people for this) corresponding movement at the actuating arm at the clutch end? Obviously if the clutch cable is kaput, you will not get the clutch to woik. Take it slow and one step at a time.

 

Danny - wait one!

This is a common problem. I have had the same experience several (many) times in years past. Don't move, and nobody will get hurt.

First, while this is worth a try as it is simple, it will not likely work. Place the car in first gear and have several friends, you know, the ones with scabs on their knuckles and monosyllabic grunts, rock the car and try to rock/roll the car while you sit inside with the clutch depressed. Show them where to place their hands to push such that they don't bend metal body parts.


If this does not work, start the car in neutral on a street that you can work on. Hopefully your home allows you to push the car to the street while in neutral. Let it warm up. Turn off the engine. Now, with the friends still grunting, place the car in 1st fear, depress the clutch, and have the friends push you down the road as you turn the starter to start the car in gear. Keep the clutch depressed all the time. Once the car starts, give it some gas (to create torque on the clutch plate) and the clutch will eventually pop loose. Trust me, it will.

This is really simple in practice. My explanation makes it sound more difficult. Good luck.

Jim S.

 

yup, everything above.

I have one car that regularly sticks its clutch since it stays outside and I drive it very little. Warm up the motor and shut it down, put it in gear and turn the starter over, as above it helps if a friend is pushing also. Works everytime.

Also, as above you do NOT pull the tranny to get to the clutch on this car, your mechanic needs some training on this car and I don't recommend yours be the first one.

 

Never had a clutch stick on any car I've owned; can someone please explain to me why they think it happens to them, and can we discuss a away of avoiding it happening? Choice of clutch plate material for example, I'm sure it aint a good thing.

 

dignini - I was surprised when I experienced my first stuck clutch 25 years ago (in the Dino). I spoke to an experienced Ferrari mechanic at the time and he told me what to do. I was suspect. After breaking the clutch loose as described below, I began to believe. After several subsequent occurences and successful resolutions (as described below), I have become a believer.

Apparently, when left to sit for a period of time, a surface rust grows on the pressure plate which "etches" its way into the porous clutch friction material, acting as an adhesive. Once the clutch breaks loose, the first few activations of the clutch repolishes the surface.

I guess one has to see it to believe it.

Jim S.

 

I believe, I guess I never left mine to grow moss

 

yup rust...has happened to me only when I let the car sit outside in the rain for a few months. No not the Dino but other cars.