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550 not reaching working temp -need advice

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by AndersJL, Apr 15, 2008.

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  1. AndersJL

    AndersJL Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2001
    376
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    AL
    #1 AndersJL, Apr 15, 2008
    My 550 Maranello -00 will not reach working temp when "cruizing" on low revs. -Yes, I know, there are some of you who would say something in line with: then drive faster ! :)
    OK, but fact is, it should reach 190 deg F / 90 deg C, but I seldom come over 120 deg F / 50 deg C.

    I have changed the thermostat and the two WATER TEMPERATURE SENSORS
    Part No. 125769 and the WATER TEMPERATURE SENSOR Part No. 148677 still without result.

    Web page http://www.eurospares.co.uk/partTable.asp?M=1&Mo=374&A=1&B=19849&S=

    Shortly after starting a cool engine, the fans also start blowing. Once I come out on a country road or highway, the water temp falls. Then, once I slow down and drive through town or stop at a traffic light, the temp goes up to where it should be.

    Please, I would need all possible inputs / ideas.

    Kind regards
    Anders
     
  2. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    19,954
    The Cold North
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    #2 tbakowsky, Apr 15, 2008
    Get yourslef a thermometer and get a real reading of the coolant temp. You may have a faulty gauge. You can buy these at most jobbers and cost about 10 bucks for a good one.

    You could also use an infared unit and aim it at the t-stat housing or at the top of the radiator to get an idea of the temps the engine is truly running at.

    Hope this helps!
     
  3. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #3 No Doubt, Apr 15, 2008
    Is your water pump rigid, or does it wobble when you hand turn it? Is there any moisture in your water pump's weap hole?

    Do you have any bubbles forming in your coolant reservoir?
     
  4. dersark_painclinic

    dersark_painclinic Formula Junior

    Mar 8, 2005
    981
    Glendale, CA
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    Lazik Der Sarkissian
    #4 dersark_painclinic, Apr 15, 2008
    Mine acts exactly like yours, front engines runs cold. If you reve it on the open road the tempreture will go up, also in the city, but crusing that is all you get.
     
  5. AndersJL

    AndersJL Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2001
    376
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    #5 AndersJL, Apr 16, 2008
    Thanks for the advice:
    "Is your water pump rigid, or does it wobble when you hand turn it? Is there any moisture in your water pump's weap hole? Do you have any bubbles forming in your coolant reservoir?"

    -I will check the water pump as suggested, but how do you link those suggested symptoms to a low water temp and fans running at full speed ?
    If there would be any of those symptoms, I would guess the engine would rather over heat...?

    Checking the water temp when standing still does not give any answers, as the water temp goes up to normal temp.

    The problem occures irrespectivly of outside temp, it could be a burning hot summer day (yes, we do get one or two a year here in Sweden...) or like now, early spring and temp outside at arround 8-10 deg C.
     
  6. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    May 29, 2001
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    #6 f355spider, Apr 16, 2008
    I would also take the advice previously posted by tbakowski and confirm the water temps. It sure sounds like a bad thermostat though...
     
  7. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
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    #7 No Doubt, Apr 16, 2008

    Are your fans running as soon as you start up the motor first thing in the morning?
     
  8. AndersJL

    AndersJL Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2001
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    #8 AndersJL, Apr 17, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. thibaut

    thibaut Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2004
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    Thibaut A.
    #9 thibaut, Apr 18, 2008
    When I read you post, I thought: looks like norma to me.
    However, I have to agree that while mine does the same (90 degrees vertical needle in traffic), while running the needle would typically be in the 65-70 degrees range, ie a bit hotter than yours. It does not go back to the 60 deg mark when engine is warm.
    Are you running a special coolant ? like very heavy on water wetter ? or are you running only water ?
    Otherwise, it may be the calibration of the temp sensor that's slightly off, measuring a bit lower temp than actual
     
  10. thibaut

    thibaut Formula Junior

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    #10 thibaut, Apr 18, 2008
    Sorry, just realised you're in sweden: what was the outside temperature when you took the picture ?
    If it's zero or around, then I wuldn't be too worried. My above comment is valid for 20 deg C outside temp. Makes sense to have slightly lower temp with lower outside temp.
     
  11. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #11 f355spider, Apr 18, 2008
    The outside temp should not make too much difference unless it is extreme, the thermostat and fans are designed to keep the temperature of the coolant within a specified range, certainly not as cool as he is indicating. I would want to check the accuracy of the gauge. If the temperature is as it displays, and the fans are cycling on/off, then either there is a problem with the thermostat or the engine ECU that controls the fans.
     
  12. dersark_painclinic

    dersark_painclinic Formula Junior

    Mar 8, 2005
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    Lazik Der Sarkissian
    #12 dersark_painclinic, Apr 18, 2008
    What is the tempreture reading at idle when engine is warmed up, the fans comes on and off on time during ideling or not, and why you changed the tempreture sensors in first place.
     
  13. AndersJL

    AndersJL Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2001
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    #13 AndersJL, Apr 22, 2008
    Came in contact with a Ferrari veteran here in Sweden. He says that the temp when cruising on highway (doing 55-70 mph), will be lower on a Maranello and 360 / 430, normally arround 65-70 deg C. When driving fast, on track or in the city, the temp should come up to 90 deg C.
    Having changed the water temp senosrs, the temp come up to round about 65-70 deg C, which according this this guy is perfectly correct. I guess that´s it.
    Thanks for all your posts and good ideas from you guys out there :)
     

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