Coolant leak 308 top of engine

There IS a hose under the intake manifold. It is a short one, though, and a ***** to replace because you have to pull the intake off to do it. I had to on mine about 7 years ago after it blew. I would not drive it until it is replaced because it will not wait to bust when you are pulling in your driveway. Mine didn't.

 

Ditto that... same happened to me, 2 days after I had the waterpump replaced... That's when I decited to replace ALL the rubber

 

I replace my hose under the manifolds when I had an air leak in the induction system about a year ago. Just recently I blew a coolant hose that is on the left end of the engine. (Distributor end) That hose goes to the heater boxes located in the front of the car. It's tough to change that one because it goes through the center tunnel of the car. If you're going to remove the manifolds, I suggest that you change that hose as well as any other coolant hose that you can easily get to when you have all the room to work while the manifolds are off the car. Be sure to plug the intakes before you pull any hose in order to keep coolant fluid and other debris out of your engine.

Actually, there are 4 (four) hoses that go to the front of the car. Two for the radiator, and two for the heater system. Since one hose has a hole in it, you can bet that the rest of the hoses are near the same state.

By the way, I've been thinking about converting the screws that holds the fenderwell to zeus (sp) fittings. That way I can remove the fenderwell with a few half turns with a screwdriver. Any thoughts on this?

I don't mean to steal your thread, but the question has been in my head for awhile. I know that it would decrease the value of the car slightly, but it would be a lot easier to get the fender well out of the way when I need to do that.

Bob Wassam

 

I won't hurt the value of the car at all. No one will know it was ever different. It MAY cost a point or two at a concours meet but I even doubt that the judges would even notice. Seriously.

 

Lou,

it could be a simple loose hose that leaks under pressure. My old 78 had a similar leak and has a test, I double clamped the hoses and it went away. Once I replaced the hoses it stopped the leak with one clamp.

There only two locations, except for a major engine issue, that coolant can come from. The hoses that cross over the valley on the way to the thermostat / water pump.

 

My old car was a carb so I just removed the airbox.

I think with a long, thing screwdriver, small hand mirror, plenty of band aids it can be done.

If you want, cruise on up to Valencia and we can give it a go.

 

I serously doubt that I'll ever do a concours. I'll make the change over the winter. Thanks for the info.

Bob Wassam

 

Lou, I had the exact same mystery leak recently. It turned out to be the short hose...6"X22mm under the manifold. As previously posted, it is a pain to replace, but it can be done without removing the manifold. Remove airbox, use lots of u-joints and extensions to get at the hose clamps and slice/split old hose off with a sharp razor knife. Thats the easy part. Then go to local auto parts store and buy any 22mm radiator hose...mine was from a honda, and just cut off to match old hose length. To get the new one on, I used pulmber's grease...from Home Depot... on both hose and fittings and seduced/slipped the new one on. It's tough and tedious and you will have bloody knuckles.... But it can be done.

 

I replaced my coolant hose from the expansion tank to under the plenum in my 328. Now my car is in for service and having the water pump changed. I took the old hose to autozone and asked if they had anything similar. They were amazed at how thick the coolant line was. Needless to say I purchased a new hose from Ferrari of Silicon Valley for $45. As stated in previous posts it can be replaced with only the oil filter removed. Again, as stated before, with patience and bloody knuckles. Good Luck.

Dan

 

Get a flexible, 1/4" extension socket...it will make removal and installation of the hose clamps much easier.

 

I was able to replace both hoses under the intake plenum on my '85 308 without removing the plenum itself. As stated, you'll need to remove the air box and a few other assorted things out of the way. If you can't find 22mm hose, I used NAPA Gold Stripe 1 5/8" hose with double clamps all around. It's a pita job, but not really difficult. I'm not a mechanic and was able to do w/o any problems. Also, do a search . Someone did a pictorial step-by-step a couple of years ago re: this job.

 

Sorry Lou, you're right...hose ID is actually 40mm....pn 102957 at Allferrariparts.com.