355 Radiator Fan Help | FerrariChat
Buy

355 Radiator Fan Help

Discussion in '348/355' started by Christopher72, Apr 23, 2011.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Christopher72

    Christopher72 Karting

    Apr 2, 2011
    166
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Christopher
    #1 Christopher72, Apr 23, 2011
    The last thing I want to do is overpost or ask something that's been dealt with before. I did a search but haven't come across the answer I'm looking for. So here goes...

    I've had my 1998 355 F1 Spider for about a month. Went thru PPI at Lamborghini of Houston and only thing that showed up was a small exhaust leak. Over the past week, the weather has been warm as usual in Houston and the traffic, well, as anyone in Houston knows, sucks. Even weekend traffic light to traffic light timing sucks. But I'm rambling now...

    I noticed last weekend while sitting at a long light that my temperature gauge was creeping above 190. It was in the high 80's, didn't have the AC on, no CEL either. As I drove home on the Beltway that night the temperature of course goes down with the wind blowing.

    However, last night, was in local road traffic and my temp gauge was creeping and almost hit red. There was no place to pull over and every time I went to inch forward an alarm beeped and then went off. I got it home, parked it, and then looked this morning. My expander tank for coolant seemed almost bone dry. I added 50/50 mix coolant and started the engine. It was stuttering a bit, and I let it run with the AC on (which stopped the stutter/rough idle). I looked and saw my left (drivers side) fan is not spinning. My right one kicks on when the temp hits 190, but the left isn't coming on at all, not even with the AC on.

    My question (after that probably long winded and not needed explanation...just wanted to give background) is where should I start in looking for solutions? What may be some of the causes?

    Thanks to all who can help. Have gotten some great insight already on this forum.
     
  2. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,654
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    #2 greyboxer, Apr 23, 2011
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2011
    There's a million threads about hot 355s - its often as simple as low fluid level or fans not coming on - and the two are on different circuits
     
  3. Christopher72

    Christopher72 Karting

    Apr 2, 2011
    166
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Christopher
    #3 Christopher72, Apr 23, 2011
    Thanks! Found a couple more threads by doing some different searches...

    On to solving the problem.
     
  4. FerrariDeeJay

    FerrariDeeJay Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2009
    418
    Chino, CA
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #4 FerrariDeeJay, Apr 23, 2011
    Usually fan motors give you notice before they stop working. For example, my fan would blow fuses regularly and started to draw more and more current. I would start with the fuses, your owners manual will show location of fuses. Good luck!
     
  5. Christopher72

    Christopher72 Karting

    Apr 2, 2011
    166
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Christopher
    #5 Christopher72, Apr 23, 2011
    Thank you for the help. Started with the fuses, but no luck. Have been reading the thread on here about replacing the fans, and I think my next step is ordering the new ones from SPAL.
     
  6. Christopher72

    Christopher72 Karting

    Apr 2, 2011
    166
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Christopher
    #6 Christopher72, Apr 23, 2011
    When I removed the LH radiator fuse, the end of the metal looked like it had a bite taken out of it. Replaced it and as soon as I turned the key to the ACC position, on came the nice loud fan.

    Probably still going to go with the great recommendations and write-ups and replace both OEM fans anyway. It'll give me an excuse to clean the inside of the rims. Thanks again Fchatters!
     
  7. wg8221

    wg8221 Karting

    Aug 12, 2006
    53
    Niceville, Fl
    Full Name:
    Bill
    #7 wg8221, Apr 26, 2011
    Had the exact same problem, cause was a bad temp sensor for the LH fan. Got the replacement from Ricambi and all has been well. I would check the sensor before replacing the fans.
     
  8. GerryD

    GerryD Formula 3

    May 5, 2010
    2,440
    North of TO
    Full Name:
    Guido
    #8 GerryD, May 26, 2011
    Last edited: May 26, 2011
    Anyone know why my left fan cycles quickly? Changed the sensor and still the same. Once the engine gets hot the fan comes on as it normaly does ( about 92C) but only cycles for about 3 to 10 seconds and shuts off only to do the same thing 30 seconds later. It used to start around 92C and run for a few minutes(in stop and go traffic) and bring the temps down around 88C or so and then shut off. What do you guys think the problem is?
     
  9. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,041
    USA
    #9 f355spider, May 26, 2011
    Last edited: May 26, 2011
    Could require some more diagnostics (beyond my capabilities) but you would need to check and inspect the relay, fuse panel and fan motor itself. But I am not convinced you necessarily have a problem. Mine will also cycle on/off in a pretty short cycle sometimes, but not always. Regardless, as long as the needle is not going past 1 o'clock on the gauge, I don't believe there is reason for concern.

    You can read my thread about the oem versus alternate SPAL fan motors. I think it is wise to replace the oem fan motors with the alternate, sealed bearing, lower amperage versions. They will last longer, reduce damage to fuse panels, and still keep the engine plenty cool. Dave Helms has the pictures of damage caused by the oem fans which draw excessive current as they age and get worn.
     
  10. Sean F.

    Sean F. F1 Rookie

    Feb 4, 2003
    3,066
    Kansas
    Full Name:
    Sean F
    #10 Sean F., May 27, 2011
    You might want to fix that exhaust leak, if you haven't already, before it becomes a really big problem.
     

Share This Page