348 Repair Tips page

Keep the good work going !

The problem with Fchat is that when you look in the archives for a matter that has been posted several months ago there are no pics anymore hosted.

 

Hey Mr.Bob, How are ya? On to your question on filters they are suppose to be dry when you remove them,if you cut it open or drill a hole in it there is oil inside. I know you probably know the reason for the pipe, it is to keep the oil from running all over the engine when you remove it and hold oil on the otherside of the pipe for immediate oil presure on start up. Anyway Blah Blah Blah. The reason for my post is to pass along what I have done for an oil filter on my 308,348 and 355C. I have been using System 1 brand filter for about 15 years. This is complex screen filter that filters oil down to about 5 microns. It is cleanable and reuseable and will stand up to Ferraris wild oil pressure. I Never used a stand up pipe in the filter on the 348 because oil presure came up immediately after start up. On my 355C with its complex oil line system it doesn't get immediate oil pressure so I added a tube inside the filter and also a pre-oiler system to lube the engine before start up. An extra benefit to the System 1 filter is you can inspect the filter any time for debris/particles. Regards, Vern

 

I haven't tried the System 1 filter strainer, but here's what the Lotus and Fram engineers have to say about it: "On the http://www.gglotus.org/ggtech/Oil-Filter/oilfilt.htm page, in an article written by Charley Rockwell, it is stated that:

"There is a new oil filter called System 1 that provides a claimed 5 micron reusable stainless mesh filter element in a conventional spin-on canister. Gene Berg has tested the filter and claims that it has less pressure loss than a Fram HP-1. The System 1 also has a bypass built into the filter and it will fit the Pint style oil pump with no modifications. The 5 micron filter mesh should provide superior engine protection to a conventional filter and has the advantage that it is easily inspected for engine particles."

I thought someone would be interested to know that the FRAM HP-1 is identical to the PH-8 internally. The only difference between them being that the HP-1 has a heavier case. Both filters use the same filtration element, are made on the same production lines and are 100% tested to 90psi before they get painted. Unless your car's lube system runs near 90psi, there really is no advantage to using the HP-1, except to FRAM - for the increased profit. Also, the System 1 is not properly called a "filter" it should be considered a "strainer". Of course, it would have less pressure loss that a filter but is not something that my engineering experience at FRAM, and elsewhere would recommend. I don't even recommend FRAM filters - Delco is a better quality product.

Best regards,
J. Denis P.Eng"

http://www.gglotus.org/ggtech/Oil-Filter/oilfilt.htm

 

348 New Owner's Primer and Enthusiasts' Guide is now updated with proper credits to those who have been so kind as to write up their 348 tech tips so far to date (please contact me for any corrections, if any are needed).

Also includes a new Bearing Noise diagnosis/test/repair paragraph,
348 Ultimate Suspension Setup,
348 Metallic Idle warning noise,
and a few minor spelling fixes (probably needs more).

 

348 New Owner's Primer and Enthusiasts' Guide (http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html) is now updated with:
Parking Brake adjustments,
Factory Workshop Manual downloads,
a more complete "hard to start" repair/diagnosis section,
The Beauty of Ferrari Chat Forums editorial by No Doubt,
and several formatting, spelling, and credit improvements.

 

348 New Owner's Primer and Enthusiasts' Guide is now updated with:
Emissions Test Passing,
Idle Adjustment,
Runaway Idle Fixes,
Engine Stalling Repairs,
Coil-On-Plug **AWESOME** 348/355 ignition upgrade,
348 Challenge Race History (brief - via link),
348 Overheating diagnosis and repair,
348 Suspension Race-Issues/Notes,
348 and F40 shared components, and
DIY Race Bushings for the 348.

 

How about an article on a step by step for changing gear box oil for the beginning do it your-selfer?

 

Good idea. If you have such an article, by all means please send it to me and I'll add it.

Otherwise, changing gear oil is covered step by step in the workshop manual (Factory WM download is already linked on the Repair Tips Page) with a diagram/picture. There's just one inverted socket on top to fill...maybe 17mm and located just below the airbox/airfilter if I remember correctly, and one plug to loosen on the bottom of the tranny.

Our 348's have a measuring "stick" for tranny fluid...but I had better luck simply pre-measuring the precise amount to add. You don't want to overfill as that will negate the whole purpose of using the newer synthetic gear fluids (i.e. overfill with Red Line and your 2nd gear will be hard to shift...just as if you put in the correct amount of the old 1990's factory gear oil). Defeats the whole purpose.

 

No Doubt,

Nice page. I'd like to take a quote and insert it into my signature.

Is that alright with you?

"...The opposite side of the spectrum might be the military kid who goes on a 6 month submarine cruise where he **can't** spend any money...comes home and pays cash for a pretty Ferrari Mondial...reads F-chat...does his own maintenance...and enjoys the beauty of the marque each day."

-FChat Member No Doubt

...Sounds kinda like me!

 

Sounds like a complement to me. Go for it!

 

348 New Owner's Primer and Enthusiasts' Guide is now updated with:
Electric Power Steering
Cheaper sparkplug source
Carbon Fiber Tutorial link
Custom Window Fabrication
Screaming A/C fix
Upgrading to F355 Adjustable Shocks
Revived 348 Challenge Race Thread

 

http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html

348 New Owner's Primer and Enthusiasts' Guide is now updated with:

No Starter - Won't Start fixes
Sticky A/C Vent repairs
Ferrari 348 A/C Recirc Flap Repair
348 Wheel Spacer Types/Settings/Sizes
Updated 348 Pre-Purchase Inspection
Old O2 Sensor Causing Surges/Hesitation at Steady Cruise Speed
Common 348 Transmission Point of Failure and What to Inspect/Repair
Aftermarket Ignition Keys
Improved and Universal Fit Aftermarket A/C Systems

 

348 Tips - New Owner's Primer and Enthusiasts' Guide Updated With:

Under hood Insulation Repair
Common 348 and 355 Space Frame Cracks/Breaks Repair
Windshield Repair/Replacement
348 "No start" repair
355 Brake Pad Sensor Repair
Aftermarket braking "Line Lock"
348 Interior, Leather, Vinyl, Plastic, Wiring, Radio, and Speakers explained
Common 348/355 Corrosion Points
Custom and Used Ferrari Emblems (sourcing)
Static versus Dynamic Wheel Balancing

**heads up** It's my understanding that Dr. Carl and Ernie are going to have a pictorial 348 transmission rebuild for us in the future. Try to not drool on your keyboards in the meantime!

 

348 Tips - New Owner's Primer and Enthusiast's Guide Updated With:

Suspension Creaking (what to test and fix),
How to change your green A/C, Fan, Temp, and Clock display to Amber lights on Red background,
348 Shifting Trick (for Reverse),
348 Wheel dimensions/bolt pattern,
and a few other minor updates.

 

Thank you for the website, it's been in my fav list. So much useful tips, one comment though. The fonts are a little thin & difficult to read. Can I recommend using "Arial", bigger size, make bold & italic on some particular words? A plain white background is still the best in webpages. The textured background makes the words harder to read. Just my thoughts.

 

Thanks for the kind words and positive suggestions.

The 348 Repair Tips Page is now updated to include a hyper-linked Index...very useful.

So some improvements are being made for the 348 Brotherhood!

 

You can adjust the text size with your browser settings to make the text larger.

Using IE:
Click [View] (up top on window)
Click [Text Size]
Click [Largest] (or whatever you need/want)

 

Hi nodoubt, I've done a little modifications to your page without your consent on my own & it can be taken down anytime. This is just a test only, no offense. I did some mods & it can be improved but I'm sure others who's better in web management can do better. I'm not hijacking anything but just hope I can contribute to your work since we're 348 owners.

http://www.passions.com.sg/1994Ferrari348Spider.htm

 

Nice job. Very readable. Perhaps you can keep it online while I add an "easy reading" link to it on the main 348 web page?! Give visitors a choice of either style.

Thanks for your effort, too.

 

348 Tips - New Owner's Primer and Repair Tips Updated With:

Hidden Diagnostic Feature of our A/C & Heater ECU's
A/C & Heater error codes and fixes
O2 sensor location pictorial
How To Remove/Change Your A/F ECU performance chips
How To Change Your Shocks
How To Check Your Timing Belt
How To Remove Your Console and Instrument Pod
LEDs and Replacement Lights
Repairing Paint Chips and Swirls
348 Exhaust Smoke Causes/Remedies
348 OEM Tire Sizes
348 OEM Bolt threads and aftermarket replacements
348 Steering Wheel Spacers to give you back/forth steering adjustments in addition to the OEM up/down adjustment
Updates to the FBB Brake Bleeding Method
Brake Sensor Repair (F355, 348)
Parking Brake Handle Replacement
Reinitializing A/F ECUs
348 Speedometer Diagram and Repair Tips
F355 Automatic Top Troubleshooting and Repair
Common F355 F1 Transmission Points of Failure
The Secret 348 Gear shift Trick
Ferrari 348 Gearshift (stick) Lever Fix and Grease Maintenance
Free Trick To Extending 348 Clutch Life
Cheap Borg&Beck 348 Clutch Replacement
Cheap MAF Replacement
A/F Mixture Setting Pictorial
Pulling The 348's Engine For a Cam Belt Change
How To Determine the 348's Top Dead Center (TDC)
Do It Yourself Carbon Fiber Construction Tutorial
348 and F355 Alternator Removal
348/355 Exhaust ECU specs/data
Online firms to make your own parts/panels
348 "rocking seat" fix
and
a method for correcting any errors or adding new tips


Oh, and also
How To Change the 348 and F355 3rd Brake light bulbs
348 Spider Top Lowering/Raising (plus boot cover) Instructional Pictorial

 

A new update is now out.

http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html

 

Hey ND.

That page sure is coming along nicely. Keep up the good work.

 

Thanks, Ernie.

 

No Doubt:

A new F-chatter here and a potential 348 owner (I'm still looking for that perfect vehicle). You've provided a tremendous service to those of us who are new and love the 348 and are looking to purchase our first F-Car. Your site and this board has made me feel empowered when out looking at 348's around my area. I mean, sometimes I mention to 348 owners things they aren't aware of. And they thank me for this tidbit! All becuase of F-Cat and your fantastic site. In this day and age, information is key to success and you are providing this key to those who are willing to read and study!

Keep up the great work, keep the critics points in mind but disregard it if necessary, as critics don't really create much real value.

 

Does anyone else host the third part of the 348 Workshop manual? The MegaUpload file has expired and no longer exists..