issue with the clutch (probably sensor) after washing the engine | FerrariChat
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issue with the clutch (probably sensor) after washing the engine

Discussion in '360/430' started by Mr Aryan, Oct 10, 2012.

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  1. Mr Aryan

    Mr Aryan Karting

    Sep 23, 2008
    182
    Bahrain
    Full Name:
    Mr Aryan
    #1 Mr Aryan, Oct 10, 2012
    few days ago I had a wax shop to wash my 06 F430 engine bay as it looked dirty since i bought it back in Aug, and seems the previous owner never washed it.
    i had asked the wax shop to be sure not to mess with the sensors and all. so he sprayed some degreaser on the connectors and all. and washed the engine bay and the motor.
    when i started the car, i kept the trunk open to get all the steam out, like 15-20mins before i move.
    when i moved, i noticed a slippage on the clutch for few miles before it became normal. parked the car for few days, and today i drove it, i usually warm up the car for like 15-20mins before i drive it, i now feel a bit slippage on the clutch when i first drive it for few mins, then it acts normal.
    went for a dinner like an hour and half, i got into the car the clutch kept slipping, and gave me sort of alarm sound on the dash, and barely engaged, and shifted to 2nd and kept slipping, 3rd and still slipping, so i slowed down trying to down shift, it wasn't down shifting.
    came to a dead stop, it went to the 1st gear.
    i just waited few seconds only and hit the gas again to see how it act, and clutch engaged, and car moved like nothing happened!!!

    totally no indicator on the dash. i remembered once i had an issue with my previous spider 430 when i started it and just drove it without warming it up, and clutch acted the same, and gave me the same dash alarm, i just pulled over and waited for a while and made sure the car is warmed up, and moved.

    so do you think i need to check the connectors and make sure they are dry and have some compression gun dry them? anything else i need to check on? reseting the F1 ecu maybe?
    my annual service is due this month, so i can ask them to check anything i need.
    but i need to know what to tell them instead of telling them to find out, probably they would look into something else.

    i know you guys at the community know more than those Ferrari garages.. :p

    thanks
     
  2. steelej

    steelej Formula Junior

    Jan 15, 2007
    433
    UK
    #2 steelej, Oct 11, 2012
    Did you leave the car with them? My first thought is they've taken it for a drive not knowing what they're doing.

    John.
     
  3. Mr Aryan

    Mr Aryan Karting

    Sep 23, 2008
    182
    Bahrain
    Full Name:
    Mr Aryan
    #3 Mr Aryan, Oct 11, 2012
    No, I was staanding there and watching. The same job was done to my previous 430, the only difference this time is that they sprayed the degreaser on the connectors to avoid getting water inside them, although on my previous wash I had no issues without degreaser.
    So I am thinking maybe the degreaser doesn't let the connectors work well, maybe need to be dryed.
     
  4. MVDESQ

    MVDESQ Formula 3

    Nov 25, 2010
    1,581
    Greenwich, CT
    Full Name:
    Matthew & Kristen V.
    #4 MVDESQ, Oct 11, 2012
    I hope all it needs is a good drying but why would you take such a finicky machine to a "wax shop" to have them spray and wet the engine. Most guys in those places have no idea how delicate these things are. Next time it may be worth a few bucks to have a Ferrari dealer or a good independent shop clean the engine for you.
     
  5. Mr Aryan

    Mr Aryan Karting

    Sep 23, 2008
    182
    Bahrain
    Full Name:
    Mr Aryan
    #5 Mr Aryan, Oct 11, 2012
    Imagine there is only one ferrari dealer which I have asked them before to clean and wash the engine after the service and changing the clutch on my previous 430, they refused! They said we don't wash motor as it may affect the electrical stuff!!
    And I had a 360 once, after the annual service, they washed the car for me, and gave it to me with all scratches using bad wipe or so all over the car. Made a big complain on them. After that when I use to hand them the car, I used to tell them not to wash it from outside.
    It's not about money as much as it's about the knowledge they have.
     
  6. Trent

    Trent Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2003
    2,013
    Indialantic, FL
    Full Name:
    Trent
    #6 Trent, Oct 11, 2012
    The previous owner never washed the engine, because you should not wash a Ferrari engine bay IMO. If it is dirty, carefully wipe it down like you were cleaning a TV. Where you spray the cleaner on the wrag then wipe. You can also remove the panels (the most dirty part) and wash them out of the car. While out the rest of the engine is easily wiped down.

    Spraying water in an engine bay is a leap of faith for all electrical connectors. If you have a bad seal (likely) then the electrical potential + impure water = electrolysis. Electrolysis will split the water into two three main parts; 1 part Oxygen, 2 parts Hydrogen, and the remaining blue/green goo will be the impurities. These impurities are CONDUCTIVE. This is what renders a wet then dried cell phone a brick. This is why if something electrical gets wet you immediately remove electrical power/batteries until it is fully dry. Evaporation does leave impurities, but in a random manor, where electrolysis leaves the impurities between the electrical potential.

    Some degreasers are as bad if not worse than the water impurities. Not a good idea. Not to mention some degreasers will degrade rubber seals that are suppose to protect against water and other contaminants.


    I dont know what is wrong. It could be mecahnical but more likely;
    1. a sensor connector has been compromised
    2. a sensor has failed
    3. the clutch got degreaser on it and somehow "glazed"
    4. Maybe just bad luck and the clutch was almost gone anyway
    5. Tech went in a clutch burning joyride. It does happen! Here is a recent Camero SS owner catching this exact thing in action, mechanics doing burnouts, relaize they fried the clutch, and are caught on audio tape conspiring to get the owner to replace the clutch. http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/camaro-owner-records-mechanics-abusing-car-scheming-damages-152707580.html


    Yes make sure all connectors are free of;
    A. Water
    B. Degreaser
    C. Contaminants from electrolysis


    Yes resetting the master power in the front trunk is not a bad idea. Turn it off for 15 minutes, then back ON. Make sure you have the radio codes first!
     
  7. Rikard

    Rikard Rookie

    Apr 10, 2014
    2
    #7 Rikard, Apr 10, 2014
    Was the issue solved long-term? And if so, how?

    I seem to have a similar issue now with my F430 clutch. Difference is that I had no engine bay wash. No errors are present from car's computers/CUs.

    Regards,
    Rikard
     

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