Hey all, Getting on the highway tongiht my dad's 355 stopped running shortly after merging. From what I've gathered, there were no noises or previous indication (warning lights, oil pressure, oil temp) that anything was wrong with the car. When he pulled over, he could smell a burning odor from the engine bay (not good I assume). He tried to turn the car back on but there was no oil pressure and the car wouldnt start. He didn't mention any fluids under the car or any obvious signs of problems. Any ideas what could have gone wrong. Should we fear the worst? Thanks...
For something really catastrophic, i.e. broken timing belt, I think you would hear that or the tapping of valves being bent. Something burning... could be a lot of things. Electrical is the easiest and probably least damaging - cats could have failed and just not triggered a light. Lots of possibilities.
Side note, at least 1 fchatter has reported that, prior to his purchase, the CEL lights were removed. There was a thread about a 348 that "blew" (threw?) the timing belt (TMoblieguy) and it sounded like when you were little and would put a card in the spokes of your bicycle to make it sound cool, then the engine stopped. I'm with Nicksta, sounds electrical, assuming you weren't blaring the radio or something and didnt hear the engine warning you or sounds when the belt let go. I don't own a 355, so thats just a guess. Maybe cross-post to technical section? James in Denver
Thank you for the helpful posts. My dad says he didn't hear anything and he usually doesn't isten to the radio (no cubs game). He said "everything happened so fast, I just lost power and wanted to get over as fast as possible." The only thing is- would an electrical failure produce the burning smell that I can still smell 2 hours after the shut down? I read in a search about fuel cell problems or cylinder seals producing the rubber smell, could these be issues? Thinkng out loud: could this be an oil pump because there was no pressure and the engine wouldn't start again? Thanks again. Mods, should this be moved to the techincal section? Thank you.
I'm sorry, I can't find it now, maybe it was a valve seal? My knowledge about mechanics are very limited...clearly. I don't think it ran out of gas, I filled it up on Sunday. The only thing I can remember odd about that was when I opened the gas tank, it seemed to be under pressure and air was released when i unscrewed the cap.(fyi) Thanks, for the replies so far. The term was a slave seal I believe. I don't know why it struck me as a possible diagnosis. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11484&highlight=355+slave
That's what we originally thought (feared). The belt services and all other routine check-ups are current and the car only gets about 3-4k miles/year. (don't flame, that's in about 2 summer Chicago months)...What effect does a blown belt have on the engine and what's that service like? It is due for belts next year. Is it as simple as the belt service coming early, or has damage been done to the engine? My dad did stop immediately after losing power and shut off power. Thanks for the help.
Cubby, That thread is about the "slave seal" aka "release bearing" or "throw out bearing"..and has to do with the clutch. Not the problem you are experiencing. How can you no you have "no oil pressure" if the car will not start? The engine cannot have oil pressure until the engine is at least running. Most likely you have an alternator or battery problem, which is not uncommon. But this is difficult to diagnose on the Internet unless you can bring the car closer to your laptop. What is happening when it does not start? Does the dash lights light up? Does the engine crank? Do you get even a "click" noise? We need a LOT more information....
Thanks for your response...completely understand your desire for more information to make a conclusion for the diagnosis. Again, I have very limited knowledge and I wasn't there. Oddly, I am the one worried about the car, not my dad (he is sleeping, I'm on fchat). I don't know about what noise the car makes when the ignition is turned, but what I do know is that the lights go on which I would assume dismisses the idea of alternator and battery...maybe? Otherwise, I think the smell of rubber is essential because it would suggest a part frying or burning which would lead to complete failure to operate. Thanks.
I am thinking if he lost power as abruptly as you say. It very well have been a timing belt ..... just hope the damage is not too bad . Though the engine will have to be removed along with the broken belt side cylinder head to assess damage. If you can jack the car up, do some inspecting on your own with a flash light under the car. The belts are between the fuel tank and the front of the engine. Try to turn the engine by turning the crank pully with a wrench clockwise,
sorry to hear about the car problem. i was talking to a friend tonight from chicago and he was telling me he saw a 355 stranded on the side of the road, must have been your dad. small world
I was thinking the same thing too with the engine oil pressure Do not rule out that the engine didn't hot seize also, I have seen this numerous times in my old workshop with similar symptoms
just my .02---battery cables could be suspect..sometimes they will able to run enough juice to power up the lights, but no start---if alternator isn't putting out properly, the battery will run down and as you know, the car cannot run on the battery alone.....wonder if lights dim when the key is turned?? that points to a bad connection if engine will not turn over... simple but it does happen...and for no apparent reason..........
Burning smell = burnt fuse box (plastic/rubber)? or maybe plastic/rubber on the ground or hot cable? Short caused melting? Will a car that has "blown" a timing belt still crank? I mean, I know the pistons and valves may have clashed together, but cranking should at least have some noise, all-be-it BAD noise (that would hurt my ears to hear the loose parts rumbling around) but shouldnt it make some noise (unless something got "jammed up". I would guess that the engine is still turning. I would assume that if it loses power, while in gear, and the engine locks, wouldn't the back tires lock up? I don't remember the OP saying his dad had to put his foot on the clutch to pull over. Just thinking outloud, James in Denver
Of everything that could have happened, just hope its not the timing belt failure. That's generally agreed to be the worst failure. Burning smell sure sounds electrical, which sort of sounds inexpensive. I think if it was the belt failure, you'd know. It'd be sort of a spectacular death, not silent and quick.
No cheap shots at guys having car trouble... the Syndicate has empathy for fellow tifosi in need. If there was no noise, per the first post, it's probably not The Great Belt Catastrophe and could be some kind of electrical issue/short.
