08 F430 fluid leak

The F1 fluid reservoir is in the engine compartment, right above the right rear tire. Yes there’s an overflow tube coming off the reservoir, but it shouldn’t be overflowing if you haven’t driven it in a while.
Open the engine hatch and remove the small access panel in that area. You may be able to see where the fluid Is coming from.

 

Quick call possible ?

 

I sent you my number give me a call it could be nothing or it could be a collapsed accumulator
Have to ask you a couple questions interactively and we'll know the answer

 

When was the fluid last changed or topped up, and have ambient temps increased recently?

 

I was going to ask these questions too.

If the F1 fluid reservoir was almost overflowing when it’s been cold, I guess when the ambient temps get hotter could make it overflow a little. Not sure on that one.

 

Some of the questions that I will ask if we get on the phone besides doing a few timings are :

How long has he had car
Has any service been done in the last year to the F1 system
Has anyone too off fluid after measuring correct
Is it coming from the overflow tube or the ring around the piece the overflow tube connects to
How long does the pump stay off when key is on engine off
Has he measured level now correctly right after pump runs

 

I had f1 fluid on the floor, through it was the f1 leak from the tank, but it was a loose seal on the differential, the fluid ran along the pipe to the right hand side

 

When was the last F1 service was it two or three starts ago

If you have a few mins look at your pm and give me a call ..we will figure it out presto

 

Sounds like the same thing that happened to me, it was my accumulator. Flash32 helped me figure it all out, I wouldn't hesitate to contact him.

 

For the benefit of some of you who may be asking why I mentioned the accumulator above ... here you go:
When an accumulator collapses or I should say weaken it allow more fluid to enter it at pressure
You measure the fluid level at pressure ( correct procedure) - after the pump stops ... so more fluid will be in the accumulator than normal and you will add more fluid
As the car sits the pressure in the system slowly decreases to 0 .. while pressure is decreasing the fluid rises in reservoir
Since you overfilled it ( even follow the correct procedure) when the pressure is gone and the accumulator "bounces back" or contracts all the extra fluid you have in the system will cause an overfull condition
It is a great sign that your accumulator is going and then you to do a few timings to see if in fact accumulator is the problem
The other more common issue is that during a service the fluid is overfilled .. not that hard to get right but you have to time it to full pressure in system and of course doing it cold vs very hot will make a differences.. doesn't cause harm other than a mess on driveway or garage

 

Ok..understood ...

No problem ..was just trying to help as if you search for me on here you can see I am not scammer and have help many many people with no cost ..just being a good Catholic person

You can even ask Chatgpt "who is flash32 on Ferrarichat" and see what it says

Anyway

I think we all gave you some insight of the issues that may be causing you the leak
..from just an overfill condition(which probably not the case since it hasn't been touched for a while) to a weak accumulator or a true leak on a hose etc that developed

I think we all answered this from your first post and then some.... "I will take it to my shop June 24 but was wondering if this has occurred to others and what it was.
Thanks in advance"


Have your mechanic check it out and please report back

I know you are new here , and there has been a few scammers along the way, but 99.9 of the people here do genuinely want to help since we all belong to the Ferrari community

Actually this community, including myself is here to actually do the opposite ..save you money not scam it out of you

Hope that as you stay and contribute your insights on issues / fixes you will see that

 

Look like I missed the part you said you were on here 15 years ago ..welcome back

 

Flash32 fixed my car and helped me for over a month and didn't ask for a dollar in return. All he asked was that I donate to charity which I did. He is your best chance at figuring out F1 issues, or most issues to be honest he's very knowledgeable.

 

When it comes to anything F1 related, Flash is the best expert I can think of. He’s probably helped all of us at some point at no charge and usually has a better handle on diagnosing these problems. Can’t recommend calling him enough.

 

No worries.. no hard feelings..I 'm so sorry that you had to go through that I could understand once being bitten you worry about it .,...you have my number if you ever need me to call ... I'm a phone call away ...you're more than welcome to block your number as well

 

To all those who shared their experiences and had kind accolades for me thank you!!

 

If you look through a lot of the past few years posts here on FC, you’ll see that flash ( Dominick ) has helped numerous people with their cars, especially the F1 system. He doesn’t ask for money or actually anything, so I don’t see how you can be concerned about being ripped off.

Dominick has my cell number and I have his also. We spoke a few weeks ago when he needed some data from my 2009 and my Launch. He is just a kind and helpful person, which is rare today.

In my earlier post I said to remove the small cover in the engine bay, above the right rear tire. Under that cover is where the F1 reservoir is. You can unscrew the cap with the overflow hose attached to it and see inside the reservoir. You check the level of the F1 fluid by sticking your index finger into the reservoir until your finger touches the baffle inside the reservoir. The oil level should cover 1/2 of your fingernail. A special tool is available to check the level, but this way is the simplest and you don’t have to go looking for the tool.

This should be done with the key in the on position and the F1 pump charged.

 

Thanks Mike !

Just add to your post that the you need to turn key to on position and measure immediately after the pump stops or wait for the next cycle

 

Dominick is THE man! I understand the fear of being ripped off, but flash is 1000% legit. Helped me a few times now and we’ve always found the solution.