1986 3.2 Mondial 3.2 coolant overflow? | FerrariChat

1986 3.2 Mondial 3.2 coolant overflow?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by pbonaguro, Oct 3, 2010.

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  1. pbonaguro

    pbonaguro Rookie

    Sep 30, 2010
    26
    I have had my 1986 Mondial for a couple years. Had the engine out with all new belts seals last winter. Drove the car in summer with no coolant overflow issues. Now that i a little colder, Mondial pukes coolant occassionally after a long drive. Any ideas why this might be happening? if it was just overfilled, I would have thought it would have done same thing earlier in the spring/summer..
     
  2. JoeZaff

    JoeZaff F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Aug 5, 2007
    5,459
    Philly suburbs
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Check for air in the lines and bleed accordingly. Air pockets are a common cause of burping coolant. I could have sworn I read somewhere that the colder air can aggravate the problem.

    While your at it, you should check the hoses for leaks, etc, that could be letting air in.

    Don't forget to flush the cooling system at least once every couple of years and to use an aluminum friendly antifreeze. Our radiators aren't getting any younger.
     
  3. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,298
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dave
    The most likely culprit is your radiator cap. Ferrari caps aren't very good and can be bad right out of the box. Take the cap to your favorite parts store and match it up as best you can. I know a guy who spent a lot of money troubleshooting his system which was then solved by a $5 cap.

    Dave
     
  4. dakharris

    dakharris Two Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 7, 2001
    29,441
    Sleepy Hollow
    Full Name:
    Cavaliere Senzatesta
    Mine used to puke every time I headed up my steep driveway. Remember that you have an exotic engine in back connected to a radiator in front via an aorta running most of the length of the car. If you really want, you can bleed the system after each drive and will find some air. Top off your overflow tank once in a while and don't worry about a few dribbles.
     
  5. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
    5,401
    Ahwatukee, AZ
    After my service my car would lose coolant and then the next day the coolant light would be on. I would add fluid and the process repeated itself. I finally quit adding and realized that while low the overflow wasn't empty and after 2 minutes of warming up the light goes out as the coolant expands. I believe my problem to be with the radiator cap as mentioned but haven't picked one up yet. I know I need to. I'd also bled the air out a couple times, but over the last 1000 miles or so haven't had any air issues.
     
  6. pbonaguro

    pbonaguro Rookie

    Sep 30, 2010
    26
    This is great. Not really sure what I expected, but it was something short of all of these suggestions/posts, thanks. I'm going to go to store now and try to get a new cap - an easy and cheap try. Why do you think it could be the cap? The cap isn't supposed to breath is it - because after my last ride it just puked again, and when I went to remove the cap I definately had to go slow and there was definately a vacuum release?
     
  7. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
    5,401
    Ahwatukee, AZ
    The caps are rated at holding a certain amount of pressure, PSI or bars. If the spring is weak and it doesn't hold enough pressure it will let the fluid leak out. A cap can still hold pressure or a vaccuum but not strong enough, or in some cases too strong if the wrong one is chosen. The ultimate purpose is under pressure the boiling point of water goes up so the engine can run hotter and potentially with the coolant above boiling temp but it won't boil because of the pressurized system. Don't know if I said that well or got all the proper points in.
     
  8. pbonaguro

    pbonaguro Rookie

    Sep 30, 2010
    26
    Just got new $4 radiator cap, took it for a ride and no coolant puke! I'll let you know if it continues to work in a few days - thanks to all..
     

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