I have had two coolant problems before - 1. Last year a hose near the front wheel well completely disattached itself at the fitting and spewed out coolant. It was refitted and all hoses were pressure tested. 2. Same scenario one year later (4 months ago) but this time at the back causing the infamous 'white smoke' from rad fluid escaping and then steaming on the hot engine. I have had compression tests and major check of all fittings as recently as a few months ago (when scenario #2 happened) but as my mechanic says "it is a 34 year old car...and these things will happen" So I was cogniscent to what my problem was, only unable to do anything but pull over. I could see the rad fluid leaking out. And g-d knows you don't want to 'wing it' and drive your car for any duration with less fluid than necessary. During my entire drive that day - all highway miles until traffic stopped at an off ramp, all gauges were showing normal readings, with needles floating around the middle. Then traffic slowed and the car was put into 2 & 3 gears, and then came the white smoke in 3rd gear. I immediately checked my Veglias - and all were fine. Then a few minutes later the OP went down to 'O'. That is the entire scenario. A few minutes later I was able to pull over and left the car to a flatbed. The Ferrari Dealer's diagnosis was that the water pump failed. It was replaced and my car is running perfectly now - until the next problem occurs. Isn't it wonderful to own old Ferraris? I don't want to jinx myself but my 50 year old Porsche ('56 Speedster) is bulletproof.....not nearly as high maintenance as the Dino. Dry Sump vs. Wet Sump. German vs. Italian. Whatever...it is what it is..... The funny thing with buying even a show-quality car like mine - and I scrutinized all the bills for mechanical and body restoration, is that if 500 parts were refurbished/replaced you can always count on the other 500 'hidden' ones that can & will break down at any time. I don't know of anyone with a vintage Ferrari in any condition that has not experienced these types of issues - vintage cars are never perfect.
