348 in the rain

Sorry if this sounds stupid, but I just got a 348 and I need to bring it in for a new alternator. I have to bring it in tomorrow and it is suppose to rain. Will letting it sit out in the rain hurt the engine, because it's exposed? The rear deck has the webbing and isn't really protecting the engine at all.

Thanks!

 

Never, never, never, never let your 348 sit out in the rain! There are many, many threads in the archives concerning this. In short; The 348 engine was not designed to get wet, in fact, it is made out of hardened sugar, and will melt if it comes in contact with moiusture.

Many have speculated on why Ferrari designed the motor this way, and the best explanation so far is that it nver rains in Italy, or anywhere in Europe, nor do Italians ever wash their cars.

So there you go! Enjoy!

 

Yep, England has fantastic scorching hot long summers, spoilt only by excessive, er, rain usually!

The rain will not damage it... if you are really that worried, then stick a towel over the engine and close the cover!

 

I was driving my 348 to Mobile last summer and got caught in a downpour for the last 25 miles. the depreciation on the car was so bad State Farm had to declare the car a total loss.

 

I would not willingly leave the car out in the rain....Buy a $30 car cover and put a cover over it.

 

Ouch, bad idea unless you want it scratched. The rain would hurt it less. If you plan on it raining, but a good quality car cover that's designed to repel water. Most of the cheap ones just trap it and they also scratch the paint.

 

I've been caught in the rain most times I drive my 348. No problem with the engine.
BT

 

My T Cab has never wilted in the rain yet...I would be careful to blow out any water that mightget captured around the plugs if you were changing them but otherwise, don't worry about it.

- JMG

 

True, didnt think about that. I HAVE to use a car cover because my targa top leaks but mine is never in the rain except once or twice being caught in a storm.

 

My 348 has an automatic bubble which engulfs the car at the slightest moment of moisture...perfect

 

yes i drive the car...wound up with a bad mass air flow and when removed for inspection found that is had water (rust) damage...?? the electrics on this engine are weird and buggy enough..this is a part that sits right on top, under the engine cover...and is $700 dealer price....yes water can hurt...it is rare, enjoy the car but this has been my experience, oh and the cab cloth top can leak at high speeds in the rain.

 

What is it April 1st?

Well I have a mondial t which shares the same engine as the 348. The way i get round the problem is i purchased an all weather cover for the rain. If im driving at the time i park up, put the cover on, and sit inside till it stops.

 

That's because at the speeds you drive, the rain doesn't get the chance to even hit your car.

 

I got caught in a rain storm once..once., by the time I got home there was just a steering wheel, and 4 sets of tires. They do melt!

LOL
Mike

 

lol... thats why you bought the 360

 

i wouldnt intentionally take my 348 out in the rain , but if i get caught, i have a car cover in the trunk and a towel for the corners of the top...
most important that after the car gets wet, to get it dry asap, i mean drive it dry, and/or take a leaf blower to it!(thats my secret , instead of chamiosing the thing to death... you can drive her hard, but dont put this horse away wet!.. getting wet ,ok , staying wet , problems will eventually happen ...

 

I don't prefer to drive in the rain, simply because it's no fun.

But frankly, it doesn't cause my car any harm.

I've driven in the rain

I've driven in the snow

I've driven in the sunshine

I've driven on a gravel road

I've driven sideways on the track at CMP (err.... )

I've sloshed through mud at VIR around Oak Tree.


Big flippen deal. Drive the car and have fun.

 

Fathers day w/e I actually got caught in a snow storm in Lake Tahoe (Thur). It rained the whole trip from San Jose to Reno. Then from Sugar Bowl to the first Truckee exit you couldn't see the road signs. 50+ mph winds. It was a great experience w/ p-zero tires! Anyone with snow experience yet?

 

Yup. We drove the Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina in the snow. Wild, but fun.

 

On your way to mobile, stop by my house. I live in Blioxi

 

First month I had my 348 spider, it poured rain every day up in the Pacific Northwest Here. Worst ways to have a bath. I know I suffered more than the engine in the back!

enjoy - theyr'e sweet cars.

 

I've got a little video clip of my 348 Spider doing donuts in the snow.... well ok, I was doing the donuts the car was just following orders!

Check my main profile pic to see how nice and shiny I keep my car!


(it was after a week in the Alps mind you)

 

It's not the water in the engine that you have to worry about, it's the handling!!!.

With all the power and weight at the back it's all to easy to get carried away in the wet and find yourself looking at were you just came from.

Good Luck

Julian

 

On the 328, Ferrari sells this special (very expensive so you don't see it often, only I have one) "tub" that you put over the engine compartment when it rains. you start the car. Let it idle for about an hour in the rain, and you have an instant hot tub. The engine stays completely dry and you and a friend can hang out in the "tub". I've done it on the side of the road many times. I believe that with the 348, the tub gets mounted North to South as opposed to East to West. One time I was in NYC and left the "tub" on and drove home with a Homeless guy in it. By the way, they make one for the 360 which is clear, so you could still see the engine bay.

 

And this hot tub was apparently so successful that Ferrari have patented it and now have it as a standard feature integrated into the new SuperAmerica roof.

Simply put the roof down and the new SuperAmerica SuperRaincatcherHotTub really comes into it's own.... just don't forget before putting the roof back up, to drive to a steep hill (pointing up) thus enabling the rain water to drain out, or you'll get a wet head as opposed to a red head.