456M Radiator Repair Info... | FerrariChat

456M Radiator Repair Info...

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Mirek, Feb 2, 2021.

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  1. Mirek

    Mirek Formula 3
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    Oct 20, 2019
    1,244
    Los Angeles, CA
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    Mirek
    My 456M popped a small leak right about a month after the car overheated (due to a fan becoming unplugged). Car has been at Blackhorse here in LA for a while now and I am told that the radiator was super dirty but that should not have caused the radiator to crack right ? Pics below.

    It would hit a HIGH temp (image) and then drop back down, each time spraying JUST enough coolant that you could see a bit when opening the hood. When I dropped it off it was steaming up through the hood though.

    Question, anything I should have replaced or inspected while the radiator is out? I am told they are going to weld it up and clean it. Should I request Carl flush it out (or anything like) that to prevent future problems ? Or look at new fans ?

    Thanks for any help or direction guys !

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  2. AVIMAX

    AVIMAX Formula Junior

    Aug 5, 2014
    686
    Toronto
    Full Name:
    Ryan
    Lots of crap collects between the radiator and the AC condenser. Need to clean it out every once in a while. Might be worthwhile replacing the fans if they are original. I put new fans in my 550 last year and noticed significantly better cooling.
     
  3. Mirek

    Mirek Formula 3
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    Thanks for the input.

    I wonder if that is why my fans used to kick on and off all the time. Once the radiator is repaired I cannot see another weak link. All of the hoses have been replaced and fans operate correctly. Hope hope.
     
  4. fridolin_pt

    fridolin_pt Karting

    Mar 25, 2008
    162
    Germany NRW
    Full Name:
    Fritz
    The Radiator is a weak spot in the 456M. I have replaced it completely as repairs did not last long.
     
  5. franschman

    franschman Formula Junior

    Dec 18, 2017
    349
    Holland
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    Bart
    #5 franschman, Feb 3, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2021
    One of the real weak spots in the fan arrangment is the connectors to the actual fans.
    They are identical to the connectors used in my Lancia kappa, which has overheated only once (while towing a 2 ton trailer on the hottest day of the year, in heavy traffic), when the fans didn't kick in because of poor contact inside the connector. The connector had actually burnt away, creating a short which triggered the fuse.
    When I got my 456 and noted these connectors, I opened them up and sure enough, they were burnt inside and about to fail. So I upgraded these connectors to one gauge heavier.
     
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  6. Mirek

    Mirek Formula 3
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    That is funny. The first overheating incident was because my fans did not come on.....due to an issue with the connection as well. They said it had become unplugged (?).

    Hopefully that does not occur again (since it was addressed) but I will certainly bring this up with the shop specifically and thank you.
     
  7. Fennicus

    Fennicus Formula Junior

    Apr 10, 2015
    592
    Helsinki, Finland
    Full Name:
    Pekka T.
    Hi,

    I just noticed a similar issue with the A/C fan resistor. The main connector had burned the connector to the black wire and toasted something in the Davia unit which is now NLA! (Although a similar later resistor was used in 355, 550 and possibly also other models than 456/456M)

    Funny thing, the original one I had spared works ok now, I have cleaned and fixed the connectors. I think I’ll have someone repair the one I bought 3 years ago, some components (caps / resistors) probably just got fried thanks to the poor connectors. :-o

    Cheers!
     
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  8. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2010
    3,665
    Oslo
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    Erik
    You can NEVER get too much cooling.
     
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  9. Mirek

    Mirek Formula 3
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    Oddly enough the shop called and asked if there was anything else they should look besides the overheating radiator and and I requested they check “the electrical connections to the fans.”

    Thanks for that heads up !
     
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  10. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 10, 2003
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    dump it and buy a ron davis

    the have done numerous. works way better than factory
     
  11. Mirek

    Mirek Formula 3
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    I would prefer to and I did get quote from Ron D. and do run a RD in my 700hp C5 but the lead time was 6 weeks or so and the shop I am at (Blackhorse) is a top-notch Ferrari shop and said It was not necessary at this time so I will punt on that for now.
     
  12. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 10, 2003
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    we put a RD in my moms 456s made a huge diff
     
  13. Davidspop

    Davidspop Formula Junior

    Dec 23, 2019
    394
    Full Name:
    Lance Malcolm
    That just struck me funny..."my mom's 456....".....

    Anybody have a link to Ron Davis radiators? I may do this as a preventative along with the connectors!
     
  14. Mirek

    Mirek Formula 3
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    Yea my biggest automotive fear is overheating...and here we are !
    As a youth, I had high mileage 4th gen F cars which were prone to overheating and was always scary. I really really hope this does not re-occur, I kinda wish the shop had me order the RD.

    This forum is pretty great in helping me sort this machine.
     
  15. Mirek

    Mirek Formula 3
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    Good call !

    Blackhorse had to take apart the fusebox, re-solder the connections to the fans and clean them. Picking it up today !!!
     
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  16. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    37,984
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    Terry H Phillips
    rondavisradiators.com
     

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