308 newbie--Problem, or just paranoid? | FerrariChat
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308 newbie--Problem, or just paranoid?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by alexza, May 26, 2009.

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  1. alexza

    alexza Rookie

    Apr 17, 2009
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    carrboro, nc
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    alex
    #1 alexza, May 26, 2009
    The abundance of info here is amazing...But, I can see how for those of us who are inherently jumpy, it can produce a dynamic akin to that of a hypochondriac reading WebMD. Having said that, My '78 308 exhibits a muted turbine-like whine correlating to RPM. While muted, It's more pronounced on cold start-up, and nearly disappears as operating (oil) temp is reached. Background: 4k since belt/tensioners changed. It's been there since I've had it, and didn't raise red flags in the PPI. Been driven about 1k mi, and doesn't seem to have become louder, but all of the discussion about tensioner/drive pulley failures is making me jumpy. Is there an agreed-on sound profile indicating these failures?
     
  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 BigTex, May 26, 2009
    More likely the alternator...poor thing spins pretty fast!
     
  3. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    May 10, 2006
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    #3 Ferraripilot, May 26, 2009
    It's gear whine. Very common with Ferrari's.
     
  4. Ferrari328GT

    Ferrari328GT Karting

    Jan 6, 2008
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    #4 Ferrari328GT, May 26, 2009
    Last edited: May 26, 2009
    Good idea, BigTex. Alexza - remove all the fan belts and see if the noise is still there on the next startup. Removing the belts is a little more work than you'd expect, but will cut down the possibilities by a bunch. -Steve
     
  5. alexza

    alexza Rookie

    Apr 17, 2009
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    #5 alexza, May 26, 2009
    On the fan belt idea---One item I forgot to mention: Just had W/P replaced--went all dribbly: Nature of sound didn't change. If it is the alt., is this normal, or about to pack it in? On the gear noise theory: Which ones: transfer case? 'cuz it's independent of the gear whine in the indirects (which I'm not freaking about---sounds just like my old Alfa which I drove umptybillion miles...) If so, that makes sense, 'cuz it quiets down when warmed.
     
  6. Ferrari328GT

    Ferrari328GT Karting

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    #6 Ferrari328GT, May 26, 2009
    My alternator doesn't make any noise. It's pretty difficult to diagnose noises from 3,000 miles away, we're all just trying to give you ideas. The alternator isn't a lot of fun to remove, either. But it is just a Bosch unit, so if it goes bad, you should be able to get it rebuilt locally. You don't have to pay the usual vendors an arm and a leg. -Steve
     
  7. jsa330

    jsa330 F1 World Champ
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    #7 jsa330, May 26, 2009
    Mine makes a similar sound, I've heard other 3x8 cars make it, shop says it's an normal sound.

    It does tend to be louder when cold, which leads me to believe it's the gearbox in warm-up process.

    I think it adds to the symphony...don't mind it at all.
     
  8. CaptOharry

    CaptOharry Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2009
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    #8 CaptOharry, May 26, 2009
    I was told the samething Gear box warmup normal noise.
     
  9. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
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    #9 Steve King, May 26, 2009
    +1 , I'm voting for the gearbox whine. I like the sound but then again I like straight cut gears better but after a while you can't take the noise anymore.
     
  10. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

    May 18, 2004
    10,406
    #10 finnerty, May 26, 2009
    These are old sports cars, and they are Ferraris...

    Translation --- they are supposed to make all sorts of strange noises. This is how you know you aren't driving a Lexus!
    Enjoy the "music" --- it's part of the fun of driving an older Ferrari :):):)
     
  11. M.James

    M.James F1 Rookie

    Jun 6, 2003
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    Michael.C.James
    #11 M.James, May 27, 2009
    +1....I don't drive my car enough, and I'm pretty paranoid about 'noises'....after a few miles, things quiet/settle down and so do I. I wouldn't dismiss everything I hear, but from what I've read when something really "BAD" happens, you'll REALLY know. When I lost Alt/WP belts, all I heard was alittle whine, then a puff of smoke and my Alternator light came on...nothing more.
     
  12. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    #12 thecarreaper, May 27, 2009
    the oil cooler also makes noise as it warms up. its part of the charm of the car.
     
  13. eurogt4

    eurogt4 Karting

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    #13 eurogt4, May 27, 2009
    I have heard that noise from the oil cooler also. Next time you have the noise, put your hand on the cooler to see if that's it. Maybe internal fins vibrating in the cool, thick oil.
    Mike
     
  14. alexza

    alexza Rookie

    Apr 17, 2009
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    #14 alexza, May 27, 2009
    Thanks for all the input! Just to be anal, I'll check the alt. But otherwise, I'll just enjoy the music(I actually like this particular sound, just so long is it's not a signal something's about to go FWAM!)

    Cheers,
    Alex
     

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