Hi there, My car is currently in storage and my buddy, who checks up on my cars and my house while I am away, is telling me that my 599 has developed a leak from the underneath the engine area. He says the color of the fluid is orange. Does anybody has any idea on what type of leak I am dealing with? Since I won't return home for another 2 months, what should I do in the mean time? Thanks in advance for your advice!
Probably AC compressor. L side of car, even with wheelwell. Mine is driven constantly, usually high rpms, and mine just did this. No change in AC function or sounds. New compressor fixed it.
AC compressor? Hmm......interesting. This might sound stupid, but isn't the AC compressor usually leak out just clear water?
If the leak happens just behind the front bumper, it could be the power steering fluid. Happened to my 612 recently. Have your friend check the level of the power steering fluid - it comes with its own dipstick (for the 612, at least). The Shell power steering fluid has the consistency of a light oil and is orange/brownish in color.
Not stupid at all friend. I think Sfumato was referring to the a/c compressor leaking oil. A/c compressors/systems run a light oil to keep the compressor lubricated. If the seals in the compressor are 'shot', the oil can weep out and leak on the ground. The clear water that you see is actually from the a/c evaporator drain, that is inside the cabin. VERY normal and nothing to worry about. Im with you mate!!! Either a p/steering pump/hose leaking or perhaps the p/steering rack.
When car and A/C are running, water drains at firewall drain area. Conditioning the air (hence "air conditioner") removes humidity. And as you know, the difference between Hell and Houston is that Hell is a dry heat. The thing will pee all over. If it isn't running or your friend isn't driving it and parking it afterwards, it shouldn't leak water. And water isn't orange. AC compressors as Pap stated are filled with a light oil, yellow-brown. Or, I'm full of crap
Well, after returning from a long business trip (2 months), I finally had my car towed to Ferrari of Houston to have the leak checked. As I have suspected, the leaked oil was engine oil and it was identified leaking from the front engine gasket. The car will be in the shop for a week and I will be car(less) for this weekend's brunch/drive with the local FCA. Boooo!! =(
Thanks for the update MJ. Orange engine oil?? Nice!! Shame you are going to miss out on the FCA drive. Next time. Take care friend.
How many miles on your 612 before the ps leak? Was it the suction hose running from the driver's side of the reservoir to the pump? I ask because mine has developed the same issue at 10,000miles. It went for repair last week only to have the NEW HOSE from Ferrari leak worse than the one that was on my car! Gotta love your f-cars. My 355 and Quattroporte are always leaking something as well I don't think they'd be Ferrari if they didn't.
