355 help needed--------------------- | FerrariChat

355 help needed---------------------

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by tonyh, Jan 19, 2004.

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  1. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 23, 2002
    14,372
    S W London
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    Tony H
    #1 tonyh, Jan 19, 2004
    Driving home from work tonight , i notice clouds of steam coming from engine bay of my '96 355 Spider. At first i thought the radiator had overheated so came to stop for 10 mins to let car cool down.
    All seemed ok so i restarted the engine and drove remaing few miles home with no problems.There were no warning lights on, water temp and oil levels were normal, no "check engine" lights on and no noticable loss of fluid from car.Do i get the car checked or put this down to the joys of Ferrari ownership? My inclination is to get it checked over.Can anyone offer advice , pls ? Anything similar happen to fellow 355 owners?
    Thanks in advance
    Tony
     
  2. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

    Dec 4, 2002
    1,178
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    Mario
    #2 lawwdog, Jan 19, 2004
    I never experienced this problem but I would definately get the car looked at to rule anything out.

    Did you just wash the car and get water in the engine compartment?

    Mario
    97 355 Spider
     
  3. jrs

    jrs Formula 3

    Jun 14, 2003
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    James S
    #3 jrs, Jan 19, 2004
    Tony

    Must have been a huge puddle of water !!!!

    I would very carefully check the water level as the sensor may not be working

    James
     
  4. 360CS

    360CS F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Joe J
    #4 360CS, Jan 19, 2004

    Tony get it checked over a few quid against a bigger prob later on could hurt the pocket.

    Better safe than sorry mate......As James says could of been some water from the road got under the engine compartment
     
  5. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
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    Dec 23, 2002
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    Tony H
    #5 tonyh, Jan 19, 2004
    Guys ,
    the car hasn't been driven/washed for over a week and journey home tonight wasn't in the rain....
     
  6. ze_shark

    ze_shark Formula 3

    Jul 13, 2003
    1,274
    Switzerland (NW)
    #6 ze_shark, Jan 19, 2004
    How did it smell ?
    How does the engine bay looks now, any residue ?
     
  7. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
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    #7 tonyh, Jan 19, 2004

    Smell was like a boiled kettle, there is no residue in bay, but the clear plastic hood window was steamed up and kind of chalky .
     
  8. malibumk

    malibumk Karting

    May 14, 2002
    167
    Malibu, CA
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    Mike Klein
    #8 malibumk, Jan 19, 2004
    Tony:
    The radiator surge tank in these 355's is "full" when you have to stick your finger about 2-3" down to touch liquid....car/fluid cold. If it was too full, it could have overflowed via the small black hose from the cap...it runs down to the very bottom of the car, and tends to spray back on the muffler....lots of steam, not much residue.

    Steam can only come from water...and that's the only water back there. I'd drive it more, pay attension to the gages, water level and fan(s) operation....and then take it from there.
    MK
     
  9. Dale

    Dale F1 Veteran

    Oct 7, 2003
    5,211
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    Dale Juan
    #9 Dale, Jan 19, 2004
    Hi Tony check the water level from COLD in the morning,if the expansion tanks empty looks like you have a leak,it could be a very small pin hole in a hose a cracked pipe, gasket on a water rail or pump that leaks under pressure,take it in Tony and get them to pressure test the cooling system,its not worth the risk,
    Dale.
     
  10. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
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    #10 tonyh, Jan 19, 2004
    Thnks for the replies and especially to JRS for his help.
    Tony
     
  11. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    The Bad Guy
    #11 ernie, Jan 19, 2004
    Do a pressure check on the cooling system. You could have a leak in one of your hoses. You can get a pressure tester from any automotive store. Pump up the cooling system and see if you hear any hissing. You also can look at the gage on the pump and see if there is any drop in pressure. That is the best way to know for sure if you have a leak in the system. Good luck.
     
  12. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
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    #12 tonyh, Jan 20, 2004
    Many thanks. The problem is i don't have enough coolant....i will sort that out today.
    Tony
     

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