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Didn't think it would be this soon...

Discussion in '348/355' started by Christopher72, Apr 25, 2011.

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  1. Christopher72

    Christopher72 Karting

    Apr 2, 2011
    166
    Houston
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    Christopher
    #1 Christopher72, Apr 25, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Picked up my 1998 F355 F1 Spider this month, and have had it for about a week and a half. Had the PPI done at Lambo of Houston, and everything looked good.

    However, in the past week have dealth with some woes, such as almost overheating and finding out my coolant was bone dry and my LH radiator fan wasn't working. Replaced the fuse with some great advice from the threads on here, and heard the fan roar to life. Replaced the coolant, and the engine temp seemed to fixed. Still going to replace the fans with one from SPAL.

    Then, happy in my first "repair", left my house on Easter morning and, pulling away from a stop light and shifting into second, heard a nice "pop" or "clank" (memory is fuzzy now) and the car wouldn't go anywhere. Drifted to a stop on the side of the road and had to called for a flatbed to bring me back home. (Hat's off to the guys from Apple Towing...they were great.)

    At first, was thinking my clutch, but after reading threads on here, thinking about my pump. The car starts perfectly, engine revs, but I don't hear the normal pump pressurizing that it goes through before letting me go into neutral to start it.

    It's headed off tomorrow to Steve over at Driver's Source in Houston to be checked out (thanks to recommendations on here). We'll see what they come up with.

    There's no other feeling like being seen driving a Ferrari...it's a different kind of feeling as you're seen having your Ferrari pulled up onto a flatbed.
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  2. wazie7262

    wazie7262 Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2008
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    Temecula, CA
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    Scott
    #2 wazie7262, Apr 25, 2011
    Very sorry to hear this :-( I hope it's not the F1 pump...
     
  3. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
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    #3 Jedi, Apr 25, 2011
    +1 :(

    I am not a fan of PPI's anymore.... my 328 spent it's first month in the shop as
    well, after having TWO inspections in one year. I too had the pleasure of seeing
    my "new car" on a flatbed before I ever got to drive it. Scads of issues that should
    have been caught but somehow were missed (i.e., I don't think anyone actually looked)

    I hope it turns out to be something simple and cheap.... and NOT the pump....

    Keep us posted.

    Jedi
     
  4. bcwawright

    bcwawright F1 Veteran

    Jul 8, 2006
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    Bruce
    #4 bcwawright, Apr 25, 2011
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2011
    YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    You had a PPI and they didn't check the coolant level....I'd be pissing in their Wheaties.

    Guess Lambo shops haven't figure out that 355's have a water cooled engine.
     
  5. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #5 AceMaster, Apr 25, 2011
    Why wouldn't you have Ferrari of Houston do the PPI?
     
  6. Christopher72

    Christopher72 Karting

    Apr 2, 2011
    166
    Houston
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    Christopher
    #6 Christopher72, Apr 25, 2011
    Guess there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Have emailed back and forth with Ricambi and spoken with Steve at Driver's Source about replacing the pump (if that is the problem) with the 360 pump and adaptor.

    Like the sound of $1,250 for parts over the staggering $20,096.
     
  7. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
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    #7 2NA, Apr 25, 2011
    Few dealers will do an inspection anymore.
     
  8. Pepsi10

    Pepsi10 Formula Junior

    Nov 24, 2008
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    #8 Pepsi10, Apr 25, 2011
    Jedi, that's a very interesting philosophy coming from someone of your experience. It seems like a PPI would yield good data, but maybe things like prior service records and whether you can trust the previous owner's information, are better predictors.

    Chris good luck. Your car's gorgeous. With one of my cars, a Merc SLK, there is a common problem with a relay that can result in all kinds of other problems. Mine has been bulletproof except for intermittent problems that I think can be attributed to that relay. Now that I have replaced it, I expect totally smooth sailing.

    Likewise, your flat-bedding adventure is terrible news. But hopefully you will just have to sort out a couple problems that the previous owner didn't and you'll be good. Seems like the previous owner didn't have a good mechanic.

    And others have had good luck with the F1 pump swap. Hopefully it's not the pump, but at least you have a good reasonable plan.
     
  9. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #9 AceMaster, Apr 25, 2011
    $20,096 for what?

    I see
     
  10. Christopher72

    Christopher72 Karting

    Apr 2, 2011
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    Houston
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    Christopher
    #10 Christopher72, Apr 25, 2011
    Thanks, Pepsi10! Have to try and stay positive. I know there are going to be a couple things I will need to work out as I go, and things that I'll want to address just as a precautionary measure.

    Thanks again!
     
  11. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

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    Jeff B.
    #11 Miltonian, Apr 25, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  12. Christopher72

    Christopher72 Karting

    Apr 2, 2011
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    #12 Christopher72, Apr 25, 2011
    The $20,096 was the F1 Pump and valve group that Ferrari only sells as a single item.
     
  13. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #13 AceMaster, Apr 25, 2011
    holy smokes....that is good news then :)
     
  14. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    #14 BigTex, Apr 25, 2011
    Because they will not.........NO upside.
     
  15. Christopher72

    Christopher72 Karting

    Apr 2, 2011
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    Christopher
    #15 Christopher72, Apr 25, 2011
    Yea, I pretty much almost had a coronary when I was reading the email from Ricambi and Daniel said that. Heart didn't start beating again until later on in the email when he discussed the replacement with the 360 pump and adaptor. Phew...
     
  16. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #16 AceMaster, Apr 25, 2011
    I saw that, Tim (2NA) posted that up above...sounds like it will cost them money to do a PPI instead of profit from one.
     
  17. full_garage

    full_garage Formula 3
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    #17 full_garage, Apr 25, 2011
    I'm still a fan of getting a PPI, especially if buying a car long distance- But no way for someone to know if an F1 pump is about to go or to predict a prop shaft failure- Sh+T happens....
     
  18. troy_wood

    troy_wood Formula 3

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    #18 troy_wood, Apr 25, 2011
    Christopher - you have an awesome attitude. Hope all works out well.

    Talk about valuable having a member here (Daniel) that can give you options that will save you 20k!!!
     
  19. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

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    #19 2NA, Apr 25, 2011
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2011
    You've hit on the problem with doing a PPI. When I do them I make it crystal clear to the buyer that I'm examining a used car that I usually have never seen before and that my report is my opinion of the car's general condition. Unless I'm in my own shop there are definite limits to what I can actually do with the car in a few hours and even then it's not magic. Frequently I see guys here recommending a PPI like it's some kind of guarantee against trouble. It doesn't work that way.
     
  20. Saint Bastage

    Saint Bastage F1 Rookie

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    #20 Saint Bastage, Apr 25, 2011
    +1 on the Good Attitude, I'd be very upset. The F1 pump or input shaft can't be inspected but a dry radiator and a bad fan fuse? I can't imagine the excuse there.
     
  21. mowater

    mowater Formula Junior

    May 24, 2004
    362
    #21 mowater, Apr 25, 2011
    this is exactly what i am doing :) i put in my order today
    Daniel is AWESOME
     
  22. BLAMPEE

    BLAMPEE Man Card Status: Never Issued

    Jun 28, 2008
    15,424
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    #22 BLAMPEE, Apr 25, 2011
    I replaced my 355 F1 pump with a 360 pump from Daniel @ Ricambi and couldn't be happier. :D

    VAST IMPROVEMENT!!!! :)
     
  23. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
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    #23 Jedi, Apr 25, 2011
    All I can say is BOTH inspections of my car failed to reveal:

    1. Main filler hose, dated 1985, with cracks you can see light through
    2. Cat filled with NOTHING.... just wire mesh - no honeycomb left
    3. Muffler FILLED with cat honeycomb & ruined as a result
    4. Shift linkage that was way off and loose
    5. No vacuum advance working
    6. Mud in the "trunk" area around the ECU
    7. 10+ year old timing belts

    Both inspections by "reputable Ferrari dealerships" - one West coast, one East.

    I have the paper to prove it, along with the repair bills of $20k ++ to fix it.

    Your mileage may vary,

    Jedi
     
  24. UConn Husky

    UConn Husky F1 Rookie

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    #24 UConn Husky, Apr 25, 2011
    wow, did the guys doing a PPI even start the car? Wouldn't that show the overheating? And for the pump to fail that soon after a PPI, IF that's the problem...amazing. Are you sure it's not just the relay or fuse? that'd be alot cheaper ;)

    FWIW...my DEALER PPI failed to reveal check engine codes, a failed air pump, or that the check engine light had been removed altogether....

    Next time I would not request a PPI, I would just ask them to do a compression test. The rest of the PPI was worthless in my case and the OP's case.
     
  25. Christopher72

    Christopher72 Karting

    Apr 2, 2011
    166
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Christopher
    #25 Christopher72, Apr 25, 2011
    Thanks for all the feedback, because you guys are certainly keeping my spirits up. Still unsure if it's the pump, and won't find out until the get it in tomorrow at Driver's Source. But I did come home and turn my key to the ACC position...low and behold, I did hear the pump pressurizing, albeit it took between 5 and 10 seconds. But still no go. So let's see what the experts say tomorrow.
     
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