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david handa (Davehanda)
Member
Username: Davehanda

Post Number: 981
Registered: 5-2001
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 12:07 pm:   

The senders are cheap, my previous 308 started reading high oil temps, and I replaced the Veglia sender ($15) and it started reading normally.

For all the effort to jack the car and remove to test (which means plugging the oil to keep it from gushing out) you might as well replace the thing.
barry castelete (Bazzis)
New member
Username: Bazzis

Post Number: 23
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 11:36 am:   

thanks for advice, can you tell me where the oil temp' sender is located, also does it have a cooling fan on the oil radiator as standard? my car is a standard Euro spec, Many thanks.
J R K (Kenyon)
Member
Username: Kenyon

Post Number: 380
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 3:18 am:   

Please look at this thread as well.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/112/262268.html?1055330139

Barry, I think you can remove the sender have it tested with a meter by heating it up. There might be a bad wire coming off it. Its sounds electrical.
I have never had a oil temperature sender break but have had a oil pressure sender fail.
Is your pressure all right. Usually high oil temeprature will show a drop in oil pressure...
barry castelete (Bazzis)
New member
Username: Bazzis

Post Number: 22
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 3:10 am:   

My oil temperature gauge on my 512TR doesn't seem to be working, Do you have to drive really hard for this to rise? I've never quite understood the function of an oil temperature gauge. How can I tell if its the'sender' or the gauge? I'd be grateful for any advice,thanks guys.
J R K (Kenyon)
Member
Username: Kenyon

Post Number: 379
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 3:07 am:   

dave,
I change my oil every 6,000 miles.
J R K (Kenyon)
Member
Username: Kenyon

Post Number: 378
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 3:05 am:   

Jens,

As I said in the Ferraichat.com thread. Please Read.
I would not worry bout it too much. You only have a problem if the temperature rises high. There is a electrical fan on the oil cooler that will reduce the oil temperature if it goes to high. I undersatnd it cuts in above 100 degrees C. I must say I have never seen my fan cut in on my F348 spider. My temperature is around 80 to 100 degrees c when driven hard.
Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member
Username: Dapper

Post Number: 710
Registered: 4-2002
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 2:59 am:   

JRK,

I recall reading somewhere that synthetic oil properties improve once they have been in operation for a while and therefore those who change oil too regularly i.e. say every 5K miles, are throwing away extremely good oil each time.

Not sure I entirely believe that, but it was an interesting thing to read and it makes me think twice about 'extremely' regular oil chnages if using fully synthetic oils
Jens Haller (Jh280774)
Member
Username: Jh280774

Post Number: 816
Registered: 9-2001
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 2:57 am:   

Thanks for your helpful comments.
I would also rather think that 0W-40 can�t be the reason the oil temperature is so low. It seems to be proven though that oil consumption is much higher than 5W-30 which is not available anymore at normal Shell petrol stations here in Germany.

James,
I also think that it might be the ground cable or something with the sensor. Another mechanic also told me via phone that this might be the reason.
Anyone know whether this is an extensive repair or can it be checked quickly and repaired rather inexpensively?



Con saluti cordialissimi,
Jens Haller
J R K (Kenyon)
Member
Username: Kenyon

Post Number: 377
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 1:08 am:   

I have been researching this issue for a while now. I actually work in the petrochemical business as an engineer.

At present the new Ferraris (F355, 360, 575, 456 etc) are using 5w-30 Shell Helix Ultra. Can be bought at any shell garage.
Also, note Shell is Ferraris new Sponosor.
I know many F348 owners and racers using 5w-30 and they recommend it.

The ENZO is unsing Shell Helix Ultra Racing 10w-60. Its very difficult to purchase this oil and expensive. Shell UK are looking into selling it in their garages. Its supplied to Ferrrari dealerships at a high mark up cost for the ENZO.

I am using and always have used on high performance cars (Maseratis, Ferraris, Alfas etc)
Castrol RS 10w-60.
Castrol RS 10w-60 is the best oil I think and its got the same specifcation as the Shell Helix Ultra 10w-60.

Mobile 0w-40 and New Castrol RS 0w-40 is to thin I have found and have actually burned it through the engine on several high performance cars. Mt Maserati used to burn the oil though the turbos. The maseratis due run hot.

Note.
The first number (0w, 5, 10, 20w etc) refers to the cold operating temperature of the oil. Thin oil is good on start up (low Number) to get the oil circulating quickly.

The second number (40, 50, 60 etc) refers to the hot operating temperature of the oil. Higher the number, higher the temperature the oil operates at, does not break due to heat. The is thin but its properties can still lubicate at high temperatures.

Also note that there is not much difference between 0w and 10w low operating temperatures(first numbers) but a bigger difference between 40 and 60 hot operating temperatures(second numbers).

So I have decided to stay with 10w-60. Bingo and ENZO is using this oil specification from shell, but not castrol. They are sponsors though.


Overall, todays oils what ever specification are good. I think regular oil chnages are important. But at the same time the oil today can last longer before it breaks down.
John J Stecher (Jjstecher)
Member
Username: Jjstecher

Post Number: 453
Registered: 1-2002
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 12:54 am:   

Jens I run 20W-50 in my car Castrol GTX. Anything thinner than that and she burns oil like no tomorrow. I dont know who ever told you to run 0W-40 but that in my opinion is way to thin for the protection you need on your car. As Ali pointed out a thinner oil will yield reduced temperatures but in the long run also breaks down much faster than the thicker stuff at high RPMs.
James J. McGee (Dr_ferrari)
Junior Member
Username: Dr_ferrari

Post Number: 100
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 9:13 pm:   

one of the best oils I have found for the 348/TR/Mondial t is the Valvoline VR1 racing 20W50.
I don`t see how the difference in the oils would have that drastic an effect on oil temp.
Check the ground cable that is on the bottom of the oil tank to see if it is loose or broken. poor ground of the tank can cause poor temp sensor signal. Also check the connector of the temp sensor.

Best regards, Jim

Ali Haas (Aehaas)
New member
Username: Aehaas

Post Number: 21
Registered: 5-2003
Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 8:52 pm:   

Jens, that 0W-40 is thicker than the 5W-30 at normal operating temperatures. However, volitility varies. I am unable to obtain the exact specs of the new 0W-40 oil in the Shell Helix but generally the Mobil 1 oils have higher flash points and probably less evaporation when hot.

The lower temperatures are a result of less friction with the thinner oils in general. Lower temp with the thicker 0-40 is hard to explain.

Higher reving engines require thinner oils, not thicker. F 1 racing engines use straight weight oils from 5W to 20W as I have investigated.

In general, you want 10 PSI oil pressure per 1000 RPM on your engine. More or less at operating temperature is bad. I err on a little bit more. The Maranello 575 M manua states they want 74 PSI at 6000 RPM of the engine. Again, more or less is bad.

You mentioned how the oil felt thin. Lubrication is not what you feel between your fingers. If so you would use a straight 70W oil Lubrication is oil flow at a certain pressure at a certain temperature. The other major function fo oil is cooling and is best with thinner oils having greater flow.

This is oil 101.


aehaas
Jens Haller (Jh280774)
Member
Username: Jh280774

Post Number: 812
Registered: 9-2001
Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 2:10 pm:   

I have lately switched oil and now use Shell 0-W40 for a while and the oil consumption of the engine increased enormously (Used Shell 5-W30 before which isn�t produced anymore)! It seems to be too thin! Lately I have encountered to low oil temperatures at my 348. Instead of 100 Celsius (middle of gauge) I only get half reading despite warm engine. Could be the thin oil the cause for the low oil temperature or is it something with the sender or mass connection?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!



Con saluti cordialissimi,
Jens Haller

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