355 Whitish fluid sprayed out of engine

1- What about the coolant level ?
2- Does the AC function? You will need to run it to test this , but first make sure there sufficient coolant in the tank .

 

I definitely have coolant. Not sure how to check the level. The AC does seem to function but it’s pretty weak

 

Make sure that the level is not less than 6~8 cm below the top of the tank. There is a standpipe in the coolant tank which needs to be covered.

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Okay. And if I add coolant is it just standard antifreeze / coolant?

Any thoughts on the leak? Originating from the front of the engine and belts are spraying it. Are there any coolant hoses in that area or is it almost certainly the water pump?

 

There should be plenty of forum threads on what coolant to use. Just make sure it's low or zero phosphate. Try to find out what was used before. Mixing certain types can lead to blockages. What colour is the current coolant?

Some folks are recommending Mercedes products.

 

You're asking us to comment on something we can't see. There is the pump and lots of hoses at the front of the engine. That's why everyone is telling you to do a pressure check to find the source. You may need a boroscope to find the leak (smartphone attachments are not expensive). Engine not running, of course.

 

Green. I just added standard green coolant.

Anyway, I'm still trying to diagnose the problem. There is a pool of fluid (likely coolant) under the car toward the front of the engine. The fluid is leaking in the front of the engine and getting sprayed onto the back hood. Does that mean this is likely a water pump or are there other hoses that could be leaking? Will this require an engine out service to fix?

 

The front of the engine has the highest concentration of coolant hoses, and then there is a water pump. One of those is leaking. The pump can be fixed without taking the engine out, but it's really hard to do.

 

Understood. But if the leak is coming from the front of the engine is the only way to access that area via an engine out service?

 

Got it. Can the hoses be accessed without an engine out? If so, how do you access them and the water pump?

 

Found the leak! Anyone know what hose this is so I can order a new one?


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That is the bleed hose from the main pipe back to the coolant reservoir. Any 6mm hose (1/4 inch) will do.

 

Seems to be the only pipe not numbered in the diagrams...

https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Ferrari/355/355_(2.7_Motronic)/PartDiagrams/021/Cooling_System_-_Nourice

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The 2.7 diagrams show an adaptor (Item 8), but the 5.2 doesn't.

5.2:

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I see you have a 1997, so a 5.2. I don't know if the 5.2 doesn't need an adaptor... or it does and the diagram is just missing it.

 

Here's mine... 5.2

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Thanks for the help everyone. I was able to fix the leak by replacing the rubber hose that connects to the coolant reservoir. I'm not mechanically inclined so I'm proud of myself

Love this car when it works!

 

#6 on both, 2.7 and 5.2, diagrams.

 

LOL.... Must be time for a new pair of glasses.

 

This appears to be too low. I can see that the 355 Workshop Manual states: "When cold, it must not fall below 6 cm from the level of the coolant filler neck."
The 355 Owner's Manual states: "6 - 8 cm below the filler cap"

Based on the above, I would conclude that the measurement (6 or 6-8 cm) is taken from the top surface of the filler neck and down to the coolant level.

In the case of the 348, there is a drawing clearly showing that the coolant level measurement is taken from just under the filler cap, i.e. from the top surface of the filler neck:

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I have always leave about an inch of air in the coolant tank. It will find its happy spot by spitting out anything that it feels is overfilled.

 

That is a good simple method. We should keep in mind that the stated "6 cm below the filler cap" is the level below which the coolant should never be allowed to fall (absolute minimum) and not the level to which the system should be filled. The fact that the manual does not state the level to which the system should be filled (does not define the "max" level) means that it could be to any level above the "6 cm below the filler cap" but, of course, applying some common sense (need to leave certain "air cushion").

 

sounds like coolant. not sure re engine out, but believe so if it is the water pump; others will know for sure.

First thing Id do is take the cover off from around the coolant tank and gave a good inspection to see if you can see the source of the leak before you go dropping the engine; also get the under-trays off snd have a look from below. if you do end up dropping the engine for the pump, might as well replace all the hoses “whilst you are there”!