dear all I just recently got a beautiful '95 Diablo VT...its black with white interiors, low milage, just stunning. And because it is so dramatic to look at..it also started giving me problems right away! I took it for a very short drive a few days ago (not even 10 minutes at low speeds) and as I was parking it in the garage I noticed...steam coming out of the engine bay!! The coolant started spilling out, a bit from the tank cap and a lot more from the overflow pipe. The temperatures were not high as I was parking the car, so it was just starting to overheat. I turned the ignition off immediately as I saw this. I stupidly did not check the coolant level when I got the car - but for now I want to assume it was ok as I bought the car from a very respectable supercar dealer. In your experience, have you ever seen this issue? What else could it be related to? As I was turning off the ignition I also noticed the 'check engine L' light, and also noticed some white smoke from the rh exhaust (this makes me think it was water..?). Im thinking: fans not working, water pump not working, leak in the cooling system....what else? In terms of serious damages and based on what I described, what could have happened to the engine (best case scenario and worst case scenario). The car is at the mechanic now and impatiently awaiting for his news...but I would like to have a second opinion on this issue. thank you all.
Worn seal on expansion tank cap, stuck thermostat, fans, obvious coolant level, leaking hose, maybe water pump. Start with the simplest things first.
thanks Bull Run, will do. I will report what the mechanic will say the issue is - but like I say, it is always good to have a second opinion. of course my main worry is having done any serious damage to the engine...
Yep, check these and get back to us. White smoke from exhaust. Keep an eye on that. Take a look at the oil dipstick.
yes, in fact that was my first worry when i saw the smoke. i checked the oil level and it did not seem to have increased. however, I only just got the car so I cannot really be 100% on this. other than that the car was running fine, engine and throttle really responsive and great to drive. this car knows how to turn heads....
Do not worry about steam or smoke, change that expansion tank cap, see that oil dipstic, "gream coffee" you have issue, otherwise no issue, those engines are very durable. See what your "check engine" light is teling you, Diablo's are not like Ferraris, where you need some F-pimp computer to see what is wrong, every car would sign engine fault issues to owners by blinking code.
thank you Mikael82. yes the oil looked good, no gream coffee. ill check what fault its coming up with (i like that about the Diablo!)..and yes the expansion tank cap needs replacing...seeing all that steam almost gave me a heart attack!
hello Lamborghinists a quick update from my Diablo VT...I have spoken to the mechanic briefly over the phone and the initial issue he sees is the thermostat not working properly. This would make sense, as the fans would not have come on and thus making the coolant boil. What is the best way to check if the thermocouple is working or not? I notice there are also two temp sensors next to the thermocouple. Are these for the gauge and warning lights in the cockpit? If it is the thermocouple that needs to be replaced, what is the cost of this operation? This is an authorized Lamborghini shop in Tuscany, Italy (I think the only one in Tuscany actually). Thanks for your help! ciao Frankie
Under the center carbon fiber engine cover. It's right on the top of the engine. Large water hose goes to it, two bolts hold it down if I recall.
to the right of the engine? i found this diagram for the VT, but cannot find the actual thermostat? http://www.eurospares.co.uk/partTable.asp?M=2&Mo=661&A=1&B=38617&S= Image Unavailable, Please Login
its sounds like you have a partial diagnosis, before you start ordering parts I would find out where its leaking from. might just be a split hose or loose clamp. I would pressure test the system as previously recommended. nothing too special about the cooling system on these cars, and any good mechanic should be able to sort out, dont think you need to go to an authorized Lamborghini dealer, just my two lira.
You think that is bad? Just wait until you need some contracting work on your house I love the central Italian ways... the northerners are a bit too "Germanic" in their sensibilities, and the southerners... god help you if you need anything to get done ever, or happen to not have your valubles tucked into your crotch No, the central Italians (basically anything north of Rome and south of Parma) have it figured out just right! Ahh I miss Italy. The wife is on board with one day getting a little piece of land somewhere along the base of the mountains outside of Bologna. There I can haunt the hills and play with the factory drivers, and she can get her Italian country-life fix whilst still being in range of a decent sized city...
Get a Phillips screwdriver and press and turn those (4) screws on the center cover, it will come off exposing the thermostat housing, sensors etc.
sounds like you got it figured out haha! you want to buy a house in Italia do it now, real estate prices are on the down low...sorry a bit out of topic. back to broken Lambos now
here we go...a nice shot of the thermostat being replaced on a the VT Image Unavailable, Please Login
