328 Coolant Leak

"Cold" can actually be the more leaky situation -- when things heat up they expand (especially the rubber hose components) which tends to seal things up better. I'm not so sure that the separation between the two coolant paths is so absolute that you could directly correlate leaking, or not leaking, to the thermostat being open or closed (i.e., although most of the coolant flow is not going to the radiator when the thermostat is in the "cold" position, the pressure in the whole coolant system is probably increasing, even in the "not used when cold" areas.)
Your best approach is to use a Stant pressure tester so that you can pressurize the cooling system when cold and just see where it leaks out (meaning you or a Shop).

 

Watch where the aluminum pipe comes under the air cleaner box....it can sometimes rub there and get a pin hole. In fact, check all around that pipe as it can also rub against the right fuel tank, also causing a pin hole in the pipe.

While you are at it, I would go ahead and tighten every hose clamp, even the ones under the intake plenum. You might need to get one of those flexible 1/4" drive extensions to reach them all (I did).

 

I have the same leak...Nothing from the water pump, nothing from the weep holes, nothing collecting below the water pump on a solid heat shield that extends from the Right Rear area and around to the header on the passenger compartment. The pipes are dry, nothing weeping from them...however there is antifreeze on the exhaust heat shield near the Right rear wheel, and antifreeze under that area (on the floor), not alot about nickel sized drops (maybe two)..
I checked the pipes they are all dry...it would seem if they are leaking the fluid would remain (if nothing more than the sticky residue from the anti freeze, yet nothing). I even went as far as to wet my finger and touch the pipes, and then "taste" the tip of my tongue to see if there was any antifreeze on the pipes & found none. I was wondering if anyone knows if there is an expansion plug on the block in this area, I can't seem to locate one.

 

Any Idea if there is a expansion plug on the passenger side area?

 

Doubtful...I still think you have a loose clamp or pin hole somewhere...

 

It's a loose clamp. If anything like a 308 there is an aluminum tube that comes off the thermostat and runs down the wheel well. It makes a turn and also has a rubber connection at that point. Pull the wheel well cover off and take a look.

 

Also that pipe is NOT available from Ferrari anymore. Had to have mine tig welded and pressure tested--works fine though.

 

I do also have a spooky water leak.

I am getting air into the cooling system and the temp starts to go up and down.

The head gasket have been checked and does not leak.

I'll check it up this winter and post the result.

Ciao
Peter

 

Have you had the expansion tank pressure tested? Had to replace mine recently because it was chucking fluid out under pressure when the spring went weak. They don't seem to last more than 4 or 5 years.

I.

 

I hope they last more then 4 or five years. So far mine has for 21. I did have to replace the cap, though, back in 1997.

 

http://www.autobarn.net/tratp1121.html

Leak finder kit for coolant and oil leaks.

 

I had an odd water leak in the same place last week.

It was only just leaking and hard to isolate but what it turned out to be was the hose clamp was overtightened. I think with the engine movement over time it slightly pushed and pulled strecthing the hose allowing the edge of the hoseclamp to slowly pierce it.

Easy fix once found.

Good Luck!

 

Mine was replaced 5 or 6 years ago & I've just had to replace it again. Had the old one tested & it was only holding maybe 0.7 bar - net result was coolant being ejected through the overflow - & yes it was a genuine Ferrari cap.

I.

 

I found the source of my coolant leak. It was the hoses in the valley under the plenum, thankfully the hose clamps (except one) were positioned in such a manner that they could be tightened w/o removing the plenum. The one that wasn't, well that's the one that goes to the expansion tank, and I'm still figuring how I'm going to get into there.
Any suggestions w/o removing the plenum?

 

Hi Mike!
Could you get another clamp on the hose and simply double clamp it? Failing that, have you tried using a nut driver with a flexible shaft? I have one with an extension that you could borrow if you think it'd do the trick. I just went out to the garage and looked at mine and it's pretty cramped/tight in there, but taking the plenum off...well, it kind of makes my knees go weak.
let me know,
Ric

 

Ric, I didn't even think about a flexible shaft driver..are you in Colorado?..
Maybe I'll run to the tool store this weekend..My problem is the hose is at about the end of the fitting so I would like to loosen the current clamp (the hex/screw head is facing toward the 5-8 bank) then push it back on & re-tighten.
But like you said it IS tight in there, I really don't want to get into revoving the plenum either

 

My hose that runs from the expansion tank to under the plenum burst also. You can get to it from back of the plenum. It is tricky but is accesible. Had to wedge my hand behind the plenum with a flex and ext and was able to get the hose clamp loose enough to pull it off. Have someone stand to the right side of the motor shining a light down in there and you can actually see the clamp pretty good. you just cant access it from the front. I had to guide a buddy of mine to it from the front while he was maunevering the socket around the back side. No ghey jokes here...

 

Mike,
You have a PM

 

Pulling the plenum is not a difficult operation and would afford you the opportunity to inspect more completely. One of the issues with the hoses between the banks is improperly sized replacements from others that have gone before you (bozo tracks). I had a leak similar to yours and I discovered incorrect hoses and a pin hole leak where the alum pipe came up on the drivers side door due to rubbing.