temparture prob with 550 ?

Im just reviving this old thread to give my good experience. When I was already ordering the new spal fans, the technical guy at spal usa warned me that these fans were tightly wound and if the fans ran for 45 mins. or more it would die. ( hope to get a feedback from those who installed the new spals). What we did was to transfer the battery to the rear trunk. Because as the battery overheated due to engine heat it could not drive the fans with the proper charge and thus a weaker fan revolution. Now that it was at the trunk, my car which would go upto 3/4 of meter or the last line before red on traffic days , is now be between 1/2 to 3/4.A big improvement here in the tropics. It was easily done by the ferrari dealer here . Hope I have contributed something for those who love the car but just wants to get this nagging problem fixed.

 

So you only relocated the battery and kept the original fan? Or you did you also put in the new Spal fan?

 

I was told you could run the 3000cfn all day, but only for 1500 hours or so.

John

 

Sorry if I butt into the discussion, but my 550 always shoots up to 100C and more (but never in the red) when I drive it aggressively in the summer, on twisting mediterranean roads that require a lot of low gears. Oil temperature also creeps up to 110-120C, but I never let it go in the red. However, I always find that slowing down to a gentle cruise in 5th gear eventually cools things off. I've never overheated in traffic though, not even in full summer. Is my car "normal" for a 550?

 

I relocated the battery only, dont put it on the spare wheel well because it cannot support the weight of the battery. I didnt put in the new spal fans. Im pretty sure the fans would be a dramatic change but with the battery location it was improved.

 

Hi,

have you tried

a) Driving at high rpm / low gears in extremely hot conditions (35C or more), on climbing roads?

b) Driving at high rpm/low gears at high altitude in the summer (over 1000m / temperature 25-35C)?

These are the only extreme situations that cause temperatures (both water and oil) to soar, the problem gets worse if I am stuck behind a van or camper on a climbing roads, because the engine gets no cool air. Otherwise the car is fine. Should I still be concerned?

 

]I was told you could run the 3000cfn all day, but only for 1500 hours or so.

John[/QUOTE]

Hi John,

When I was about to order the spal fans, the technical guy advised me about it not being able to run for more than an hour straight. Have you used yours quite often and how for how long? Thanks .

 

GAR 72:

Thanks. Was your battery the original FIAMM? And was it in good condition? I don't see why higher temperature will affect volt or amp output from the battery. Usually it's very cold temperature that diminishes battery output.

My radiator had a very small leak, so dealer replaced the whole radiator. So far things seem to be under control, but then again we are into cooler months of the year. Not sure if I want to relocate the battery versus say a better higher capacity battery. The thing about Spal extreme performance fan that kind of bothers me is that it draws significantly more amps than their regular high performace fan.

 

cwwhk,

Im out of the country but Im pretty sure it is or if ever same specs.The Ferrari technician in singapore told me that they have done 3 550's and its all doing ok. Thats why I had it done here in the Philippines. Yes when the battery overheats it losses power and alternator has to work all the time and it creates more heat and it also cant give 100% current to the fans. I thought it made sense . Id like to hear from those who had the new spals, this would be the ideal just hope it does work out for them.