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360 Coolant operating temperature too low?

Discussion in '360/430' started by aventari, Nov 9, 2023.

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  1. aventari

    aventari Karting

    Dec 9, 2010
    157
    San Diego
    #1 aventari, Nov 9, 2023
    99 360 F1 trans, coolant recently changed, thermostat unknown age.

    Cruising on the freeway with everything fully warmed up today, about 75 degrees ambient, this is the temperature the car will stay at, looks to be about 160-165?

    I should check with my Autel on the OBD2 port on the way home from work to make sure the gauge is correct, but I'm 99% sure it is.

    If I sit at idle the temps will go up to 210-220 until the fan kicks on. I think one of the fans isn't working, but that's not going to be relevant to it running too cool!

    I ordered a new thermostat, and then I asked a local Ferrari shop and he said this is normal, and if it was out of spec it would trigger an engine code.

    I'm also having the issue of not being able to smog because 3 OBD2 monitors wont set, EVAP, O2, O2 Heater Circuit, and I'm wonding if never getting to operating temperature could cause that. It's been 6 months of driving and doing the drive cycles and everything, but thats another story.

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  2. Jaymac

    Jaymac Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 18, 2020
    974
    New Hampshire
    Full Name:
    Jeremy McCurdy
    #2 Jaymac, Nov 9, 2023
    I’ve been experiencing this lately too, but my ambient temps are in the 40’s and 50’s here. One of the long-term members/techs on here mentioned that Ferrari shipped some US cars with 160* thermostats, which would make those temps seem normal while moving with active airflow, and rising while stationary. I bought a new 180* T-stat, but no one has told me with any certainty that I have anything to be worried about or that I should change it with any amount of haste. Unless someone convinces me otherwise, I’ll probably wait until next coolant change to swap it out, since I just changed my coolant a few months ago.
    I’ll stay tuned to this thread to see if anyone has any new or different advice for you.
     
  3. aventari

    aventari Karting

    Dec 9, 2010
    157
    San Diego
    #3 aventari, Nov 10, 2023
    Update, I drove home late tonight, and it's a lot colder, about 55 degrees ambient and the car ran a little bit colder.

    I also checked live data with my Autel OBD2 reader and it's showing 154.85 degrees. I suppose with a 160 degree thermostat it could be running this cold.

    To me this seems way too cold for a street car, like it's going to wear the cylinders more. I feel like it's getting so cold it's dropping down into warmup enrichment mode almost.

    Bad for cats, bad for cylinders, bad for carbon deposits, everything.

    I'm in the same boat as you @Jaymac, I don't want to flush new coolant to replace the thermostat but I probably will soon here. I think you're probably right this has a 160 thermostat in it. Ugh


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  4. aventari

    aventari Karting

    Dec 9, 2010
    157
    San Diego
    #4 aventari, Nov 10, 2023
  5. Jaymac

    Jaymac Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 18, 2020
    974
    New Hampshire
    Full Name:
    Jeremy McCurdy
    #5 Jaymac, Nov 10, 2023
    I don’t know how much work you’ve done on your car yourself, but it * should* be fairly easy. For best access, it’s easiest to take both seats out, the “subwoofers” if you have them, and the upholstery panels behind the seats. This will give you access to the engine access panels and then the t-stat. After that I’ve heard it’s fiddly and tedious
    to access the rear bolts, but doable. Make sure to get the recommended O ring for the T-stat housing, as the one originally made for our car apparently doesn’t fit properly.
     
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  6. Sundayjumper

    Sundayjumper Karting

    Jun 19, 2019
    102
    Berkshire
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #6 Sundayjumper, Nov 10, 2023
    I posted in the other thread, you don't need to totally drain / flush the system. The thermostat is quite high up so you only need to get the level down slightly. I syphoned out a couple of litres and that was plenty.

    The fixings are slightly fiddly but not that bad really. A ¼" ratchet with a long hex bit works well.

    And you don't need to remove the seats, just slide them all the way forwards.




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  7. 67bmer

    67bmer F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 28, 2015
    2,967
    MD
    #7 67bmer, Nov 10, 2023
    Mine looks identical on a cool/cold February day to our Auto Cross.

    I have never felt like there is a lack of heat in the engine compartment... If I drive when it's cold out, put it in the garage immediately and close the door, my two car garage warms up to like 75F. Its a great garage heater!

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  8. anotherred360

    anotherred360 Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2015
    278
    USA
    #8 anotherred360, Nov 10, 2023
    I'm still new to my 2004 but I've noticed the same with it running cool on the highway. Mine's been dealer serviced since at least 2018 including a new dealer installed water pump and t-stat, so I assume it's normal.
     
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