Felt Like I dodged a bullet

Keeping this in the generic section, because this is not model specific.

I hadn’t spent any money on repairs or such for a couple weeks, so thought I’d call RicambiAmerica for some fun money items.

Bought K&N air filters for Mondial T [ 348 ] and removed the filter can to find -------see below:

Car is over 17 years old, so feeling internal enamel paint expanded and contracted with heat from engine, add a little moisture crept in from air or whatever, and started the rusting and flaking.

I am a bit disappointed that the Ferrari dealer, June ’06, didn’t catch this for 30K service. It doesn’t look new IMO because car always garaged and never driven in wet.

The entire inside is breaking away from the metal, as is some of the crackle on the exterior. Didn’t notice the exterior because it’s so tight, but it is starting to separate and can be noticed if you press a finger on the areas near the exit holes.

THIS, I feel, even with the sensor screens would have bee a huge problem. The paint flaking away is between the filter and the intake air.
1. if a flake got on the screen, the sensor could have become toast.
2. if it passed the screen, however small, it could have done some sort of damage to interior combustion: not sure.
3. could have gotten one of the LARGE flakes, some as big as 3x5 “ against the screen and ????

Just thought I’d pass this alone, for others to check. Sure a lot have already checked theirs, but I don’t do a lot of my own service.

Took it to a friend, and he is bead blasting interior and exterior: I will start painting it tomorrow.
PS: any good suggestions for interior…don’t want something that can’t expand/contract well, and can take moisture…must be good on metal: thinking simple engine black in a can. Exterior crackle black, probably ricambi.

PPS: the large flakes missing are from my prying, and I threw them out.
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this was found last night. The ricambi reference is to the K&N filters and possible purchase of black-crackle paint, which after a search I find they don't carry. So, filters was stock K&N filters 348 air filters. pics on ricambiamerical.com if desired.

 

yes, well, just discarded them. Don't want loose items near the intake without filters. Put convers over the intakes until cover is repainted.

 

wasn't sure, but the friend who is doing the blasting, also works on a couple Mondials, and learned that foreign substance on the grills leading into the air intakes, fried them! he said don't even clean them, just make sure they are free of substance.

see below
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good idea. was toying with that: graduated with a guy who has body shop...

will keep exterior the same

 

that was my first choice, the realized engine heat-resistant paint was of course the better.

but a powder coating inside would be very durable, and perhaps offer some sort of 'slickness' to air movement.

stopped by the 'blaster' today, and he needs a couple of days, seems the paint is more backed on than he thought[?].....doesn't matter, have the 456 for camping this weekend....will post pics.