Yet...another 308 coolant leak question | FerrariChat

Yet...another 308 coolant leak question

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by bernardo66, Aug 17, 2009.

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  1. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man
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    Dec 14, 2003
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    #1 bernardo66, Aug 17, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I recently had work done on the cooling system about a month ago.

    - The radiator was rebuilt/recored.
    - The coolant was flushed and replaced with a 50/50 using new anti freeze and distilled water.
    - The A/C condesor was removed. (Heck...no need for A/C in Canada ;))

    The temperature ran perfectly, even ran slightly cooler on the highway. On warmer days, it heated and cooled, with the fans kicking in properly.

    Friday evening I noticed some condensation on my rear window (on the driver's side). Drove it all day on Saturday and I noticed some steam coming from behind me. Temps were still running properly. However, when I returned home and shut off the car, I noticed that about a cup of coolant had leaked. Today I fired up the car and once it reached operation temperature, I noticed that coolant was leaking out of the bottom end of the exhaust cam shaft cover on the driver's side.

    Time to repent sins? ...or simply change that gasket?
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  2. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    I find it highly unlikely coolant would be leaking from there. The only fluid behind that cover is oil.

    Better diagnosis will lead to a better more possible fault.
     
  3. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man
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    Yet when I had the car idling, I looked from under the wheel well and that's where it was leaking from.
     
  4. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
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    Have you checked the dipstick to see if there are any signs of water in the oil?
     
  5. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man
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    Yup. Oil on the disptick is fine.
     
  6. Modeler

    Modeler F1 Veteran

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    #6 Modeler, Aug 17, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    A 308 GTS doesn't have the cooling connections #11 and #63 shown on a 308 GTSi. Note that's on the inlet camshaft too, not the exhaust camshaft you indicate as the source of the fluid.
    So I'm a little confused by your pic.
    As Rifledriver says, there should be only oil in there. Cooling fluid would indicate a major fault.
    Perhaps the diagrams may help you track the leak down better. Fluid can drip from a point away from the actual leak.
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  7. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man
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    #7 bernardo66, Aug 17, 2009
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2009
    Thanks. I did consult all of the diagrams and coolant flow chart. I'll try to get a better look at the source of the leak tomorrow morning.
     
  8. Doc

    Doc Formula Junior

    Sep 13, 2001
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    If I understand the location, could it be a leak in the 10' hose which runs from the block to the heater core ? I had some trouble with that hose--the leak was right at the connection of the engine block. Rather than replace the entire hose, I spliced a new piece of hose into it. I believe that that is not an uncommon area to leak in 308's as they get old.
     
  9. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido Formula 3
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    Cylinder head gasket maybe.

    Guido
     
  10. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

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    That's the direction I was headed.
     
  11. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man
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    Ouch!! :( Expensive fix?

    I'll let you guys know. I'm taking it to the shop this evening.

    Thanks for everyone's input.
     
  12. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    I don't think so.The gasket is a few inches below that and it would be really unusual for its trail to go upward.

    The only thing I can come up with is the connector hose on the large coolant pipe that runs downward right under that part of the head (#10 or 11 in the diagram). I wonder if it has a very small spray upward at that part of the head.
     
  13. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

    May 18, 2004
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    Indeed. There are several coolant hoses (4 of them on the "i" cars) which run nearby. I gotta think one of them is leaking a bit and spraying coolant onto that area, then dripping off.
     
  14. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man
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    For the record, my car is a GTS, not an "i".

    And once more, thanks everyone for your responses.
     
  15. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

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    #15 finnerty, Aug 21, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Ahh... didn't notice the picture you posted :)

    I'd look closely at this hose and its connections as your most likely suspect then --- refer to the blue circle I've added to your photo :)

    It's "post water pump" so it runs under fairly good pressure for spraying potential...
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  16. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man
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    I sincerely hope it's just that. I'll let you guys know after tomorrow.
     
  17. stephenofkanza

    stephenofkanza Formula Junior

    Mar 5, 2005
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    I had a the 1 1/2" hose that connects to the 1 1/2" tube that crosses the engine from the water pump and it sprayed on the rear window on my GTSi (I know yours is a GTS but a pin hole can spray up, collect and drip down).
    Give Finnerty's idea a 2nd look, look from the top with the engine at idle.
    Stephen
     
  18. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man
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    FYI, I just drove the car to my mechanic's place (about 25 miles out of Montreal). The car ran superbly and the temp was perfectly normal. The mechanic (who's got about 30+ years under his belt) said not to worry, that odds are it's a pinhole leak on one of the hoses.

    I'll keep you all posted.
     
  19. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man
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    I just picked up my car. Indeed it was a hose that was right underneath that cam that was the culprit. There was a 1" gash in the hose. So (as mentioned by Rifiledriver) the hose sprayed upwards on to the bottom end of that cam, thus giving me the impression that it was peeing from the cam end.

    While we were at it, we changed every other 30 year old hose. ;)

    Thanks for all your replies! :)
     

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