Hello, I am purchasing my 1st Ferrari and was wondering if engine oil leaks are common for these cars.
There is no reason they should leak, but yes it is common. Better to fix the leaks. The oil hose to the oil cooler is a big culprit and an easy $100 fix at your local hose shop.
They are about as common as oil seepage in any 30+ year old car whether it is a Porsche, Ford, Chevy, Datsun....Find one with a fresh, engine out service by a diligent mechanic, and you may possibly be weep free for a while. If you can't stand a drop on the floor every once in a while, you should stick to newer cars, regardless of manufacturer.
Are you looking at a car with an active leak? Or just inquiring as you consider options? If it has an active leak, my concern would be based on where the leak was coming from. Seepage from the pan, pan plug or pan bolts would be pretty common. I've heard of some people dropping their oil pans and coating the inside of the pan with an epoxy as the pans are quite porous, especially after 25-30 years. If a cam seal or cam cover has an active leak I'd be concerned, could be indicitive of a service not being performed on the car for some time, or was recently been performed but not done right. If the head gasket is leaking I'd be very cautious and take into consideration the cost of an engine out service into the purchase price of the car. All this should be factored into the purchase price. You want to see service records, and you want a third party to perform a PPI. Even if you are mechanically experienced you want a third party doing the PPI, as the emotion of making the purchase of such a special car could make you overlook or not consider something wrong. Phil
Thanks all for your insight... If I would have thought about it I would have looked at other threads as this topic has been well covered. I was just curious of locations and frequency of these leaks.. Against your advice I am not going to do a PPI on this car as I feel that the price is taking into account that it needs a major service done. Basically it is an amazing deal and I am buying it from another FC member whom I believe is honest and a good guy. I am so ready to receive my 85 QV and I will finally be able to embark on what was a dream !!
I had a 85qv and no leaks what so ever,one time I had a leak after a major and found it to be in the front bank by the cam seal,took off the cover replaced the seal and no more leaks. If yours is leaking its becuase the seals haven't been done right or need attenion,either way no they shouldn't leak no matter how old it is,thats my 2cents
That was a great deal on a beautiful Euro QV. I in no way, shape or form have room for another car, but that one was sooo tempting. I knew that one would go quickly. Congrat and enjoy it!
Congratulations! Looks great. Oil spots are your new "red badge of courage". Mine leaked like party-goers at Mardi Gras. But, she kept on running! Enjoy!
Might be empty... JK I would check the oil level anyway. Drive the car, shut it down and wait 15 minutes then check the dipstick.
A friend of mine who goes way back with Ferraris has a favorite answer to this question: There are 2 kinds of Ferraris: Those that leak oil, and those that are about to. I've done quite a few majors in my day. Almost every one I've done hasn't leaked for at least a couple of years. EXCEPT for my own car that's always had at least one minor leak somewhere. I just found out why one cam seal leaked after the major in '02. In spite of being well aware of the problem & breaking the sharp edges at the groove bottom, I'd managed to pinch a seal housing o-ring(DUH). Yes, it was the front bank intake o-ring that no way can you see what's going on afterwards.
That's an analog of the Brit race car adage: There are 2 kinds of British racing cars Those that leak oil, and those that are out of oil. Rick (my 2nd Dad and I run a Factory Lotus Cortina <Consul>)
It's appropriate that he should have one. He'll have to buy his own drip tray for the garage floor though
