430 - Melted Rear Reflector? | FerrariChat

430 Melted Rear Reflector?

Discussion in '360/430' started by matt00thomson, Apr 5, 2025.

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  1. matt00thomson

    matt00thomson Rookie

    Nov 23, 2024
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    Matt Thomson
    Hi, newer F430 owner, I've searched and not seen any other posts on this. I recently had fabspeed headers installed to replace the original failed manifolds. I drove home one day in some traffic and noticed the rear reflector on one side (right above the exhaust outlet) was melted, screenshot attached. I thought it might be a bulb, but took it out and it's just a reflector, no bulb. The only thing I can think of is there is more heat coming from the exhaust outlets that melted the light. I can't see any damage to the paint, but it does have me worried.

    Has anyone had experience with this?


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  2. mike32

    mike32 F1 Veteran

    May 13, 2016
    5,916
    Isle of man- uk
    Take the rear diffuser off and see if you can see it in place.
     
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  3. matt00thomson

    matt00thomson Rookie

    Nov 23, 2024
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    Matt Thomson
    @mike32 . It was actually easy to access the light, I took off the rear most side engine pannel and was able to remove the reflector. It's very close to the F1 pump/system, and no heat source coming from behind the reflector. Like I said in my post I thought there might be a bulb in the light that overheated but, no bulb, this light is just a reflector. So that left me thinking the only thing that could have happened is it was melted by the exhaust. But so many people have done different headers on these cars, I can't be the only one??? Here is a pic of the reflector removed.


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  4. mike32

    mike32 F1 Veteran

    May 13, 2016
    5,916
    Isle of man- uk
    There are no exhaust joints near to that
     
  5. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano F1 Rookie
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    Sep 13, 2022
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    Joe
    There are two corrugated heat shields just above the pipes there. Do you have those or are you missing them? A pic of the area next to the muffler would let you know.
     
  6. matt00thomson

    matt00thomson Rookie

    Nov 23, 2024
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    Matt Thomson
    @GogglesPisano thanks and that was also my thought, is there is heat coming from behind the bumper/reflector, loose exhaust connection... Here is a picture of the two mounting screws for the reflector (only one visible), middle of the pic. There is a heat shield is below and also a number of hoses for the F1 system. No heat damage anywhere else. If there was that much heat behind the bumper I'm sure I'd see some other damage.


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  7. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano F1 Rookie
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    Sep 13, 2022
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    This is the shield I’m referring to. Do you have both of these?
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  8. Extreme1

    Extreme1 Formula 3

    Jun 27, 2017
    1,380
    Santa Clarita, CA
    There’s no damage to the back of the reflector. The lettering is still perfect and not discolored, and the tab sticking out from the back is still in perfect shape.
    Was the car idling a long time so the heat from the exhaust rising could have melted it?
     
  9. matt00thomson

    matt00thomson Rookie

    Nov 23, 2024
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    Matt Thomson
    @Extreme1 it was a few weeks ago in TX, temps where in the mid-80's and yes I was sitting in traffic when it happened. So I'm really thinking it was exhaust heat and correct, no heat issues on the back of the reflector. So really had to come from the exhaust tips. But then I can't be the only one who's seen this? I have sent the pics into Fabspeed and plan to call them tomorrow.

    @GogglesPisano I checked and yes that heat shield is present. FYI your exhaust looks super clean!

    jerbear27, kestrou any ideas?

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  10. matt00thomson

    matt00thomson Rookie

    Nov 23, 2024
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    Matt Thomson
  11. kestrou

    kestrou Formula 3
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    Jan 22, 2023
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    Kevin E. Stroud
    At this point I’m blaming random cosmic rays… incident on the reflector at an extreme oblique angle!

    Damage had to come from the outside, but how did it do that and not mess up the body?

    You got me, buddy - have never seen anything like this posted here - and there’s been hotter places too…

    Kevin
     
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  12. matt00thomson

    matt00thomson Rookie

    Nov 23, 2024
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    Matt Thomson
    Same. I'm going to take it to my local shop (who are awesome) Norwood Auto Italia this week and see what they think. Replacement reflector isn't expensive, but it has me worried about the bumper and paint especially when it really starts to really get hot.
     
  13. CoreyNJ

    CoreyNJ Formula 3
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    Apr 17, 2006
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    New Jersey Shore
    This is going to sound crazy, I mean like flat-earth crazy, but I have seen "polished" Cybertrucks floating around on the road and thought this is going to be insane in the summer when the sun hits it. Could something have literally melted the reflector because sunlight/heat was focused by a reflection? I know there was a building in Boston, I think, that was killing birds this way.
     
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  14. Extreme1

    Extreme1 Formula 3

    Jun 27, 2017
    1,380
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Replace the reflector and get a IR Temperature Gun off Amazon. I just looked and there’s one for less than $10. Use it to monitor the temps out of the exhaust on that side of the car compared to the other side.
     
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  15. matt00thomson

    matt00thomson Rookie

    Nov 23, 2024
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    Matt Thomson
    @extrene1 agree. I have 2 already. That was my next thought, get the car heated up and check exhaust tip temps. I'll report back.
     
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  16. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano F1 Rookie
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    If you have a few more bucks to spend, look into getting one of those phone attached IR cameras (or a cheapie stand alone from Harbor Freight). You can really see what's going on that way and see all of the hot spots easily. Works well for things around the house too like finding a leak, studs, or drafts.
     

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