My car's First set back | FerrariChat

My car's First set back

Discussion in '348/355' started by JPMD, Sep 16, 2016.

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  1. JPMD

    JPMD Karting

    Jan 17, 2016
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    #1 JPMD, Sep 16, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Last weekend after a morning drive in hot weather with A/C on the 97 F355 (MT) suffered a leak. Appears to be coolant. The car has not had any problems to date. I purchased with just over 20K miles around Feb this year at which time a major service was done.

    The car was very hot following the drive but could not tell if more than usual (has Fabspeed manifolds). Did not notice any excessive temps on the gauges. I positioned the car on the lift. Came back approx 30min later and noticed the leak. I have attached pics. The fluid was dripping from around hole/screw underside pic passenger side 1/2 between rear wheel well and door opening.

    This was about the extent of the leak another few ounces was collected bowel placed directly under the leak but subsided after about 1-2 hrs.

    Any ideas on what this may be?

    I'll keep you posted as I am having it flat-bedded to the dealer Monday.
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  2. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Hard to tell from your picture but that might be the radiator plug. Make sure it's not the expansion tank overflow tube which does go to the bottom of the car. Check the level in expantion tank when cold, it should be 3" below the top of tank cap thread (opening)
     
  3. JPMD

    JPMD Karting

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    Thanks Dave
     
  4. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Radiator seam leak? Radiator plug leak? Burp tank just "burping"? Water pump seal? Loose hose clamp somewhere?

    If it were me, I would pull the under trays and see what I can see. If nothing stands out, I would drive it till hot (no undertrays) and bring it home. Up on the lift with a flashlight in one hand and a Peroni in the other and start looking :)

    Could add some fluorescent dye I guess...
     
  5. 166&456

    166&456 Formula 3

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    It's just marking its territory.
     
  6. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    You have a lift, which implies that you are reasonably mechanical. Remove the tray and see where the leak is. Otherwise, just from the look of it, you have a radiator leak. Radiators age through number years, not number of miles. It is now about time...
     
  7. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    With the belly pan off, it will become obvious...
     
  8. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    I am with the other boys, take it up and take the bottom covers off for an inspection.

    It could be as simple as a worn radiator cap. The coolant pressure is pushing past the spring and it's dumping out onto the ground.

    Could be a leaking radiator. Could be a leaking hose or hose clamp. Could be anything.

    But it won't hurt to take a quick look. It might be something simple you can fix at home.

    Take care and be sure to let us know how you go with it please.
     
  9. JPMD

    JPMD Karting

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    Thanks guys!
    The lift is just for show LOL. space purposes.
    I'll look a little bit more this weekend see if I can uncover anything to help diagnose the problem but will definitely keep you guys posted once I get some feedback from the Ferrari shop.

    The information you guys have provided will be very helpful in being able to interpret what the shop will be communicating. Hopefully not to much $$ but as the thread stated comes with the territory

    Thanks again!
     
  10. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

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    Make sure it's not something simple first, but the OEM radiators on these cars have hit there age limit. They are plastic on top and bottom and fail at the seems. I had nice aluminum ones fabricated for less than new OEM ones and recommend that route. Install was a b***h of a job, but I didn't have a lift.
     
  11. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Expect the repair bill to be $1250 if it is a radiator.
     
  12. sevminasyan

    sevminasyan Formula 3

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    try tightening the clamps on the rad hose first. Then worry if the bill will be high.
     
  13. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    The radiator plugs are plastic and break so have look at the plug.
     
  14. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Are you sure it's coolant? I always question when the post says, "Appears to be...."
     
  15. GTO Joe

    GTO Joe Formula 3
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    While the picture you posted sure looks like coolent I had a similar "leak" on the garage floor shortly after I had my major done three years ago. Mine was in the general area as you post but it was the oil (it was a light green color like what you posted) from the AC compressor. During the major I had the front compressor bearing and seal replaced and the rebuild failed. You might want to start it up and see if it still blows cold since you said it was working fine on your last drive.
     
  16. zx9r94

    zx9r94 Karting
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    ...cracked myself up eheheh
     
  17. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 fatbillybob, Sep 16, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    You can learn a lot with a Stant cooling system pressure tester. If you don't have one, you might be able to borrow from your local autoparts store. Without getting dirty or leaning over you can find out if you have a system leak. If your system passes then test the cap. If both pass the reason for the drip was burp of excess coolant that occurs often after service when everything gets nice and hot.
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  18. JPMD

    JPMD Karting

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    Hi Guys. Update.

    Right side radiator plug failure. Diagnosed as age related.
    No charge for the part "tech had spare one in his tool box"

    Thanks for all of the help and well wishes.
    I'll keep you posted.
     
  19. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Very good, that was something you could have fixed at home. :D

    All good, thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend Brother. :)
     
  20. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

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    Gotta love it when you can get *anything* repaired on a Ferrari at no charge. :)

    Thanks for letting us know how it turned out.
     
  21. emac

    emac Formula Junior
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    That is one honest shop. Nice to hear.
     
  22. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    He said "no charge for the part (plug)" not the repair :)

    Given the coolant had to come out (or run down the techs are while quickly swapping plugs), hopefully he did a coolant flush at this time.
     
  23. JPMD

    JPMD Karting

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    Sad to say even the simplest fix would be an impossibility for me to accomplish.
    Had flickering dash lights (was going to wait until next scheduled service) addressed at same time

    Of course

    Agree

    Yes plug only LOL. Coolant flushed. Charged 1 hour labor

    Looking forward to ride tomorrow morning

    thanks guys
     
  24. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    No worries John, enjoy the weekend mate. :)
     
  25. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

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    +1

    cool of you to share the outcome......enjoy :)
     

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