I have a fluid issue and clutch got stuck all the way in | FerrariChat
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I have a fluid issue and clutch got stuck all the way in

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by Clubisolation, Mar 30, 2023.

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  1. Clubisolation

    Clubisolation Rookie

    Jun 23, 2022
    12
    Full Name:
    J.B.
    #1 Clubisolation, Mar 30, 2023
    First post I think. I picked up a 91 TR last year with about 28,000 miles on it. Seemed in pretty great shape, I put a couple hundred miles on it and put it away for the winter in a heated/climate-controlled building.

    Got it out for the first time yesterday and noticed it seemed to be leaking oil on my driveway but wasn't really leaking when sitting still. Only seemed to leak much while the engine was running, or the car was moving. However, the oil wasn't all that dark, almost a green tinge to it, so I decided it might not be oil at all. Went on a short drive again and my clutch got stuck all the way forward, and i had to hook it and pull it back to use it again, after that the car drove perfectly normally. once back home, it showed it was leaking something again, although not much just enough to notice it was there.

    So after some internet sleuthing, I came across some stuff that implied it might be a clutch fluid issue. I'd love some advice, there was a HUGE $30,000 engine out service at the end of 2021 to replace all the belts and everything else, I have all records of the car's history and the entire certified Ferrari Classic book. I think its been a well serviced and cared for car. but it's also my first older car. I assume i just need to get it trailered to a Ferrari service place and have them have a go at it but wanted your quick feedback on this photo.

    https://flic.kr/p/2oqa6Nt


    Here I circled in red the areas that seem to have the leaky substance on them in the back center of the car, I originally thought the leak was right under the real oil valve, but its actually behind that.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,821
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, Mar 30, 2023
    Based on the location of the leaking fluid (and assuming it is clutch fluid -- you should look at the reservoir at the brake master cylinder under the front bonnet to see if it is way low -- that same reservoir supplies the clutch master cylinder), you should inspect the flexible line 34 and its fittings 47, 48 and the bleeder screw 29 and its fittings 47, 48 for leaks. Maybe you'll get lucky, and the Shop just didn't tighten the Bleeder Screw properly.

    https://www.ferrariparts.co.uk/diagram/ferrari/testarossa-tr-90/028-clutch-controls-(starting-from-car-no-80095-80146-ch-80177-us)
     
    EZORED, turbo-joe and peteficarra like this.
  3. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
    9,533
    southwest Germany, France ( Alsace ) and Thailand
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    romano schwabel
    #3 turbo-joe, Mar 31, 2023
    for me this looks 100 % brake fluid.
    so as steve has written with a little luck it is only the bleeding screw loose.
    or 21, 22, 28, but if one of those then just replace those all and 25 and 26
     
  4. Clubisolation

    Clubisolation Rookie

    Jun 23, 2022
    12
    Full Name:
    J.B.
    #4 Clubisolation, Mar 31, 2023
    Thank you both! I’ll try to get this checked out today better. What would be the other explanation for my clutch getting stuck to the floor?
     
  5. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
    9,533
    southwest Germany, France ( Alsace ) and Thailand
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    romano schwabel
    #5 turbo-joe, Mar 31, 2023
    air in the hydraulic system
    the mechanism for the bearing is sluggish because of the seal rings
     
    Grease Donkey likes this.
  6. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,821
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #6 Steve Magnusson, Mar 31, 2023
    If the seal on the piston in the clutch master cylinder failed, you could get that symptom -- but no fluid would escape externally. Have a look at the reservoir on the brake (and clutch) master cylinder for a low fluid level -- they (intelligently) put the port on the reservoir for the clutch above the ports for the brakes (i.e., the clutch stops working before brakes stop working). However, yours is more like an external leak being the issue -- you pushed the clutch pedal down and the fluid squirted out so the clutch pedal just goes to the floor (rather than actuating the clutch mechanism) and there's no force to return the pedal back up. It is a bit odd that you say it then worked OK, but an external leak is something that must be investigated/fixed.
     
    turbo-joe likes this.
  7. Clubisolation

    Clubisolation Rookie

    Jun 23, 2022
    12
    Full Name:
    J.B.
    #7 Clubisolation, Mar 31, 2023
    I'm going to have it looked at briefly by some mechanics today that are only about 3 miles from my house (they aren't Ferrari specialists, just to see at least what the leak looks like), then I'll have more to tell the place I ship the car too about what is wrong. Looking at shipping to some place in Denver or Dallas to get it looked at. Those are easiest shots from where I'm at.
     
  8. EDoug

    EDoug Formula Junior

    Apr 19, 2005
    268
    Southern Florida
    #8 EDoug, Mar 31, 2023
    Clubiso, listen to Steve and TJ as your starting point. The braided ss flex line from the chassis hardline to the clutch housing can fail at the crimped-on fittings and give you the exact failure you had. Ask me how I know. If you find that that is the failure point, and you cannot get a replacement line (ask me again how I know), you can find a shop that will reuse your fittings from both ends and make you one. Easy to DIY remove, replace, and bleed. EDoug
     
    Grease Donkey and turbo-joe like this.
  9. Big Swole

    Big Swole Karting

    Jun 20, 2020
    232
    Metro Atlanta Area
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    David
    #9 Big Swole, Sep 15, 2024
    Did you get everything squared away on the TR?

    Sent you a msg. about it.
     

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