| Author | Message | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 617 Registered: 6-2001 |
I agree that you shouldn't spray water directly on the engine,but everything else is ok. They were meant to be driven, and a little water won't hurt anything. I detail my engine about once a year, whether it needs it or not. I don't let water get into the radiator vents, because I think they can leak, and there may be rust issues. Art | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 912 Registered: 8-2001 |
No. Water getting in through the vents along each sides of the glass get channelled into a ledge on the side engine panels. The water then goes down a drain at the end of the ledges. Works like a gutter and downspout system on a house.  | ||
| Jason Biggs (Jason179)
New member Username: Jason179 Post Number: 23 Registered: 8-2002 |
Willis since the 360's engine has a glass covering do you have to worry about water entry? jason | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Member Username: Ross Post Number: 252 Registered: 3-2002 |
tend to agree with arnaldo. the 512tr was left outside in the rain for a morning, and water dripped into the relay he was talking about just over the fender and caused one bank to shut down (and me to have a heart attack) after i had driven about a mile away from the delaership. limped back and they fixed it, but i don't like rain too much anymore..... | ||
| Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
Member Username: Caribe Post Number: 399 Registered: 2-2001 |
I do not know about the 355 in specific, but in the TR, and other models, there are many electrical components that are unprotected on the engine compartment. ECUs, relays, fuses, etc. On the TR, this components normally seat just under the top of the fenders on both sides of the engine. In addition, as mentioned before, alternator, distributors, and others do not react very well to water. Furthermore, contrary to what some people might think, the design of most Ferraris do not seem to have consider water as a factor so don't think your car should be fine because it was design to have water fall all over the engine. As a matter of fact, when I did my major service a couple of months back, water corrosion was the only thing that I expected could have a negative effect upon the longevity of the belts. There was corrosion on the Cam pulleys, the tensioner bearings, and rust dust all over the belts from water I suspected got there by washing and perhaps even rain. My suggestion, don't trust Ferrari too much in this regard (Ferraris are notorious for electrical problems and water does not make it any easier), and when you wash your car try covering the engine with a tarp to prevent potential problems that will only cost you money and grieve, and avoid spraying water under the fenders when hosing into the engine compartment. My 2 cents. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 899 Registered: 8-2001 |
Just using the detail spray is fine if your car never see rain or you live in sunny climates. Can't do that here in the Northwest if you drive the Ferrari regularly. | ||
| stephen r chong (Ethans_dad)
Junior Member Username: Ethans_dad Post Number: 67 Registered: 3-2002 |
David, I was actually surprised to come across that exact fact when going through the wash/wax archives. Many F-car owners swear they never use direct water when washing they're cars. I think they use detailing sprays. I was curious and got some myself. To my surprise, my conclusions are that if your car is pretty clean to start, then the typical weekend drive can be cleaned and polished w/o the whole water/hose routine. This new routine keeps me behind the wheel instead of on the driveway! You should check some of these products out. | ||
| David Jones (Dave)
Member Username: Dave Post Number: 254 Registered: 4-2001 |
I'm suddenly reminded of some of the F-cars for sale on ebay which read, this 308 has never seen a rainy day in it's life... I guess they don't use water when they wash them either... | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Junior Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 123 Registered: 4-2002 |
You really don't have to spray any part of the car when washing, I don't even use a nozle, just the bare end of a hose. Gently manouver the water so that it carries the detergent and grime away, don't spray, or water will get into places you will wish it had not gotten. | ||
| J Dirk Carnahan (Dirk989)
New member Username: Dirk989 Post Number: 37 Registered: 9-2001 |
Water dripping in is no problem. The car can handle rain. However, water going in under pressure is a different story. There are a number of places in any car engine that are not meant to be wet but are not designed to keep pressurized water out. Bottom line, don't spray directly on the engine. It's not that I'm a genius, I'm dumb enough to have already been there. Fortunately my mechanic had done the same on one of his cars and immediately diagnosed my problem. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Junior Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 118 Registered: 4-2002 |
Just detail the engine compartment after the wash. After all, its part of the Ferrari experience. And you wouldn't want to show off a less than perfect engine compartment on a perfect wash job--would you? | ||
| Chris Richardson (Boozy)
Junior Member Username: Boozy Post Number: 196 Registered: 11-2001 |
It's made to be rained on. Should be no problem. That being said, I always cover the vents on my 348 with a towel just because I don't want to have to clean the water spots off the engine. I keep the engine bay pretty clean. | ||
| David A. Spear (Detailman)
New member Username: Detailman Post Number: 21 Registered: 5-2002 |
I always put a small plastic bag over my altinator thats about the only thing you really need to worry about. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1433 Registered: 6-2001 |
When it rains it gets wet too, ive never heard of it being a problem but obviously you dont want to stick a hose in there and soak it. | ||
| Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
New member Username: Rickyn_f355 Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2002 |
to not allow water seep into/onto the motor? Wondering if i should put a towel over the engine so the water doesn't get through the black mesh�.i assume washing the car after driving it is a bad idea because of how hot the motor will get? Should i be concerned or am i over doing it? |