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Explosive noise from 86 TR engine area (Rookie question)

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by testarob, May 21, 2006.

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  1. testarob

    testarob F1 Rookie

    May 13, 2006
    2,504
    Debary, Florida
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    Rob
    #1 testarob, May 21, 2006
    I am a brand new, 1st time Ferrari (86 TR) owner and was driving home yesterday when all of a sudden I heard a loud "explosion" from the engine compartment. My first thought/fear was a blown engine. I had been driving for about 1 hour, combination of high speed and stuck in freeway traffic. It was over 90 degrees outside but I was back in my neighborhood and only doing about 25mph when it happened. I immediately pulled over and as I was doing so I realized the sound was more like a blown tire (loud noise followed by loud 5-10 seconds of loud hissing). There were no other noises (clinking clanging etc). I got out to look, no flat tire. I looked under the vehicle and no leaking fluids. Long story short (oops ... too late for that), no blown tire, no apparent engine problems.

    I never killed the engine (dumb), so put it back in gear and drove the remaining 3 blocks home. When I parked in the driveway there was coolant leaking out of the overflow tube. I JUST had the vehicle serviced so I know all fluids were checked. I can only guess that due to the heat and driving conditions that the thermostat release built up pressure in an explosive release of steam, and once that pressure dropped, the thermostat closed back. Does this make sense? Is this something anyone else has experienced?
     
  2. dinogt4guy

    dinogt4guy F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2004
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    Kurtis Fordice
    #2 dinogt4guy, May 21, 2006
    Woah! That would have scared the crap out of me! I was guessing the expansion tank or one of the coolant tubes went but since no leaks, I'm at a loss. Did you recheck the coolant level? I wonder if the radaitor cap let go? Just all guesses at this point, really glad it wasn't the motor! Keep us posted on your findings and good luck.

    Cheers!

    DT
    ______________________________________________________________

    There is nothing like a Ferrari, there never has been and never will be!
     
  3. testarob

    testarob F1 Rookie

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    #3 testarob, May 21, 2006
    For the record ... it DID !
     
  4. PSP

    PSP Formula Junior

    Mar 31, 2001
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    Lake Forest, CA USA
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    Patrick S. Perry
    #4 PSP, May 21, 2006
    I'd take a look at the A/C system - was the air on at the time?
     
  5. MS250

    MS250 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2003
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    #5 MS250, May 21, 2006
    Rob, sorry to hear...never encountered this with my 86....doesnt sound good....but could it have been some back pressure maybe from the cats ?
    And out the exhaust.
     
  6. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 19, 2001
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    #6 ernie, May 21, 2006
    A few things.

    Since you just had it serviced you may want to make sure that the cooling system doesn't have any air in it. You need make sure the air is completely bled out of the system. If the system isn't bled properly it can cause the car to run hot. Also check the condition of your radiator cap.

    As for the loud "BOOM", since you said there were no signs of fluid have a look at the condition of your mufflers. Look around the creases were the can is pinched/welded together. You may have have one of the mufflers fail. The corner could have been put together poorly, or rusted out, and when the back pressure was great engoune would have blown it out, causing the boom you heard.
     
  7. Dr_ferrari

    Dr_ferrari Formula 3
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 2, 2003
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    Jim McGee
    #7 Dr_ferrari, May 21, 2006
    I agree with PSP, Does the a/c work, it is possible that there was a clog in the a/c system, built up pressure and blew a hose.

    good luck and best regards, Jim
     
  8. testarob

    testarob F1 Rookie

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    #8 testarob, May 22, 2006
    I checked, and indeed the AC is blowing hot. Since Ferrari of Central Florida did the work they now have the car back. I will follow up with the results, but it sure looks like AC for now. The real question is why did it get that overheated.

    Thanks for the feedback!

    Rob
     
  9. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
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    #9 Ken, May 22, 2006
    Good to have the experts check it out. Off hand I'd say someone didn't bleed the air out of the cooling system correctly and a pocket of air superheated until it blew out "somewhere". The question of course is whether it made a hole somewhere or what.

    Ken
     
  10. testarob

    testarob F1 Rookie

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    #10 testarob, May 22, 2006
    Latest news... It was the high side AC line that blew. Now to get Ferrari of Orlando to admit they didn't bleed the air out correctly ...
     
  11. testarob

    testarob F1 Rookie

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    #11 testarob, May 22, 2006
    ... Ferrari of Central Florida that is ...
     
  12. PSP

    PSP Formula Junior

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    Patrick S. Perry
    #12 PSP, May 22, 2006
    Rather than not bleeding the air out correctly, my guess would be that some of the dessicant came out of the dryer and clogged the system - probably at the check valve.

    You can guess how I know this.......;)
     
  13. testarob

    testarob F1 Rookie

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    #13 testarob, May 24, 2006
    I am happy to report that Ferrari of Central Florida went above and beyond by not only replacing the blown hose, but not charging parts or labor, despite the fact that there was no proof that anything they did caused this failure.

    It is refreshing to know that there are still dealers in this world that understand the value of customer relations. My hats off to all the folks at Ferrari of Central Florida, especially Rocky the service manager. They have earned my loyality as as customer.

    Rob
     
  14. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Bubba
    #14 BigTex, May 24, 2006
    It doesn't sound like it was something they did..... a quirk of timing that's all.

    I've met those guys, they are Ok! Glad it worked out.....
     

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