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Coolant on the floor????

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by albert328gts, Dec 28, 2008.

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  1. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #1 albert328gts, Dec 28, 2008
    About a month ago, I added coolant to the 348ts's expansion tank. Ever since I keep finding a little coolant on the floor. A few days ago I took the car out for a short drive but stuck in traffic, the temp needle kept creeping up and then back down when I moved along. All normal, but for the weather were having in Los Angeles, its been cool still the car was running hotter then usual. I got home and waited a while. I saw that that the expansion tank was empty? So waited for the car to totally cool off, then added more coolant with the car running. I closed it of and kept it running for about 2 minutes and it started pissing coolant all from the expansion tank hose? WTF? Too much Coolant? I let it run off the extra coolant I thought it had and let it run for 1/2 hour just idling, with the fan kicking off and on when needed, never got past the 1/2 mark, when it did for a minute the fan would kick on and it drop it down, and the fan would shut off....Next day, I took it for a short drive, 30 minutes up and down the gears, hard and easy, temp needle seemed ok, got home and car was ok, this morning I go under to take a look and again their is a small puddle of coolant again??? The fan kicks in when it should, could it be the radiator is for ****? Thermostat acting up or ???? WTF is it.... Any thoughts? And by the way Merry Christmas and Happy Chanuka to all the brothers.
     
  2. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

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    #2 hardtop, Dec 28, 2008
    First thing I would check would be your radiator cap. If it doesn't hold pressure any more, that would cause the symptoms you describe.

    Dave
     
  3. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #3 GrigioGuy, Dec 28, 2008
    Any weeping around the water pump? A lot of the symptoms sounded like the early stages of my water pump failure.

    Also, you might try a new cap. If it's not pressurizing right the boilover temp drops significantly. Cheap and easy to try.
     
  4. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #4 albert328gts, Dec 28, 2008
    The usual noise from the engine bay, usually enjoyable! The water pump is new as of 1.5 years ago when it had its major and it was replaced? Now to find someone who sells a "cap" here in Los Angeles, anyone know the diameter number to give it a shot, I know if I walk into Pimp Boys they will just say "ferrari, no parts for fiat"....
     
  5. HUTCH91TR

    HUTCH91TR F1 Rookie

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    #5 HUTCH91TR, Dec 28, 2008

    Go with our resident parts hookup, Daniel @ RICAMBI !!! He'll get you the right part at the best price!!!

    WWW.RICAMBIAMERICA.COM
     
  6. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #6 albert328gts, Dec 28, 2008
    I took a few weeks off to possibly enjoy the car, am hoping to get this resolved A.S.A.P., if were not in a hurry Ricambi would do... Any one have the diameter width of the cap?
     
  7. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #7 GrigioGuy, Dec 28, 2008
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2008
    Frack, just realized you don't have a 328. Never mind....
     
  8. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #8 GrigioGuy, Dec 28, 2008
  9. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #9 albert328gts, Dec 28, 2008
    Thanks, I will give it a shot, maybe take the old one with me....
     
  10. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #10 GrigioGuy, Dec 28, 2008
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2008
    Ok, cross-referenced the 328 and 348 caps. The 328 OEM cap 101499 which can be replaced by the Stant 11230 has been superseded by part OEM 137644 which is the 348 expansion tank cap. SO....the Stant cap should be a fit. Get the 1.1 bar unit


    No. 11230: 16 lb. cap
    No. 11231: 16 lb. cap-vented
     
  11. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #11 albert328gts, Dec 28, 2008
    Thanks, I will go to my local Pimp Boys or Autozone and see if they have it, wish me luck. I will keep you posted, thanks again, the Brotherhood is the absolute best!
     
  12. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

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    #12 Miltonian, Dec 28, 2008
    Have you checked the condition of the coolant hose that runs from the expansion tank to the fitting under the intake plenum? It seems like we are seeing a few of those bulging out and leaking onto the top of the engine. Worth a look.
     
  13. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #13 albert328gts, Dec 28, 2008
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2008
    Nope I have not, now where do I find this hose? And am I looking for a bulge or crack? And mind you there is no coolant on top of the engine what so ever. Anyway none that my eyes have seen, they are little out of focus today, you know the holidays and all...:)
     
  14. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

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    #14 Miltonian, Dec 28, 2008
    You're looking for the coolant hose that runs from the bottom of the expansion tank to the engine, a few inches in front of the oil filter. I think there were 2 threads as recently as October of this year from gents who were afraid that their water pumps were leaking, but it turned out to be just that hose. It swells to almost twice its size at the fitting under the plenum, then splits open and leaks all over the top of the engine, and the coolant eventually puddles on the floor where you park. If you had your water pump replaced 1.5 years ago it seems like the hoses would have been replaced, but maybe it looked OK at the time????
     
  15. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #15 albert328gts, Dec 29, 2008
    Got a new expansion tank cap, a bit better, but still small fluid over night. Does not over heat, fans kick in on both radiators so took it to Blackhorse, looks like I may need a new right radiator... The bad news, cant do it this week. The good news, I can still drive it, I can live with a small puddle of coolant on the floor for now...
     
  16. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
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    #16 Glassman, Dec 29, 2008
    Bleed the air out of the system.
     
  17. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #17 albert328gts, Dec 29, 2008
    I know this may sound lame, but whats the easiest way to bleed the system?
     
  18. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
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    #18 Glassman, Dec 30, 2008
    Start with the bleed screw at the radiator. Open it cold and you will hear the air passing. Then run the car and keep bleeding until all the air is gone. You will have to bleed many times to get all the air out. There is also a bleed screw on the thermostat housing, but be careful because you will likely get coolant all over your belts.
    I had the same problem and replaced the cap. It was a waste of money. Once I had the system bled I had no more coolant dripping from the overflow hose. I also run the car at idle in the driveway with the cap off for a while. It seems to help move the air out. I just replaced my heater lines and have an air lock there. Any body have advise on how to get the coolant flowing through the heater?
     
  19. Skipro

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    #19 Skipro, Dec 30, 2008
    There is bleed screw on the thermostat housing??? Really? ...never seen it. On the outlet elbow? On the block?
    ...sure would help with completely bleeding air out of the system.
     
  20. Glassman

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    #20 Glassman, Dec 30, 2008
    Sorry, there is on 308's. Not sure about other models. I need to stay focused on the original post maybe.
     
  21. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #21 albert328gts, Dec 30, 2008
    I will then bleed the 2 radiators? And follow with running it at idle with the cap off, that should be fun. Thank you.
     
  22. Birdman

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    #22 Birdman, Dec 31, 2008
  23. Glassman

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    #23 Glassman, Dec 31, 2008
    If your coolant is at the correct level it will not overflow out of the filler neck with the engine running.
     

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