Hello, Bought my 2004 360 Spider about 9 months ago, 8000 miles on it, 6 speed, Ferrari certified with Power warranty. A few weeks ago I noticed a dark fluid dripping from the rubber plug on the bottom of the car under the engine after I took a ride. A few drips accumulated under the car. I checked the coolant, oil, hydraulic fluid and all 3 seemed fine. Called the dealer's mechanic and he told me it was probably the antifreeze overflow because it was hot out. Just took another ride and the fluid is there again, checked all fluid levels everything fine. Tried to poke around with a flashlight but anything visible was bone dry. The car is due for a major in September. I was thinking of removing the small panels underneath the engine so I could go poking around in there to see what's leaking. I'm hoping it's a loose plug, filter or something. If it is I could probably just fix it myself. Even if I cannot fix it I will have a better idea of what is wrong before I bring it to the dealer. I am scared sh**tless about getting a bill in the thousands for this drip! Lastly, I plan on driving it to the dealer, about 25 miles, since the fluid is leaking so slowly. Thanks in advance for any helpful info...
When you were driving the car, did you switch on your a/c? If you did, that would be condensation water from your a/c system which is very normal.
Rob, Does the fluid feel oily? Does it evaporate? It could be the coolant overflow like the mechanic told you, but that will evaporate and dry up. So sounds your leak could be a petrol source, so if I was to guess it could be an engine oil drain plug that's not torqued properly. As with any leak you should find out the source right away, and correct the source of the leak. Because you just never know if it is something minor or major, and not worth taking a chance.
FWIW, my coolant overflow never leaks to the floor. It generally dries up on top of the engine belly pan from all the heat in the engine bay.
Fluid feels like oil to me, not coolant. Hard to tell though because there is usually just several drops and it seems to be mixed with dirt & other fluids from the belly pan. It does not leak when it is parked as far as I can see. Is removing the belly pan a big job? Is there more than one removable section? Should I jack up the car or just slide underneath?
about 20 screws & 1 large panel... You really need it on a lift... on jacks/ramps would be a real PITA.. can be done but figure a hour of rolling around on the ground..and another to get put back up.
Rob, I assume you don't have a lift, you the only way you can take the bottom panel off is with some proper jack stands and floor jack. Do you have the proper jack stands and floor jack?
I had several leaks. Petro lines Coolant Depresion lines F1 leak and it accumulates on the bumper mix with dirt and fall over the floor with the characteristics you described. Good luck.
Crawled under the car and took a look at the belly pan - way too big to remove without a lift or jack stands and I don't have either, so, off to the dealer it goes. Rob
