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355 Water Temperature

Discussion in '348/355' started by judd10, Jun 10, 2007.

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  1. judd10

    judd10 Formula Junior
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    Dec 30, 2006
    490
    Seattle, WA
    #1 judd10, Jun 10, 2007
    I just purchased a '99 355 GTS and have a few questions about the water temperature gauge. These are probably dumb questions but... When the engine is running, the water temperature gauge moves back and forth between the notch above and below the 190 degree mark. I am assuming that this is normal and because the radiator fans are turning on and off.

    When I turn off the engine & put the key in a few minutes later, the water temperature gauge creeps up past the notch above 190 degrees. If I turn the engine on, the temp comes back down. I assume this is because the coolant is not circulating & the water temp increases initially and does not cool down until the engine sits for a while or unless the cooling fans come on with the engine. Is this correct?

    In our other cars, the engine temperature gauge is pegged at the center of the gauge. When I turn off the engine & turn it back on, the gauge is dead center… it doesn’t creep up. Is this because the gauge is dampened and designed to stay at the center until the engine is turned on? Or does the engine coolant temp not rise as much as the Ferrari’s after the engine is turned off? Any explanation is greatly appreciated.
    Thanks, Judd
     
  2. KJB355

    KJB355 Karting

    Apr 4, 2006
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    Kenneth Brom
    #2 KJB355, Jun 10, 2007
    This is normal, and resulting from the radiator fans, just as you describe.

    Yes, the residual heat build up is what is reflected in the gauge.

    You raise an interesting question here - I would expect that some manufacturers do dampen their gauges as you describe -or- that it is directly related to where the temperature sensor is located. The ferrari sensors are located where residual heat from engine off is more pronounced. Combine that with your thought that the Ferrari gauges are not dampened, and you'll get the actual reading.
     
  3. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
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    #3 f355spider, Jun 10, 2007
    Yes, most manufacturers dampen the gauges...I know for a fact that BMW does, it is discussed many times on the chat forums. Honda does too.

    What you are describing sounds normal to me (at least my 355 does the exact same thing), so don't worry about it.
     
  4. Joe G.

    Joe G. Formula 3
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    Dec 9, 2003
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    #4 Joe G., Jun 10, 2007
    sounds just like my F355

    sounds normal
     
  5. judd10

    judd10 Formula Junior
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    #5 judd10, Jun 11, 2007
    Thanks all for the info & increased peace of mind!
     
  6. UConn Husky

    UConn Husky F1 Rookie

    Nov 11, 2006
    4,425
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    Jay
    #6 UConn Husky, Jun 11, 2007
    A friend in HS had an old beater Buick from the '70's that lost it's gas gauge damping. Now that is fun to watch as the gas sloshes around...
     

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