oil leak | FerrariChat

oil leak

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by familiar, Feb 7, 2012.

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  1. familiar

    familiar Rookie

    Apr 24, 2011
    14
    Just took delivery one month ago on 2012 Cali. Put 450 miles on it over a month. Just noticed an oil leak. It was shipped back to the dealer yesterday. Waiting on a response. I can tell you I am really pissed/disappointed/worried. This car was billed as the no hassle Ferrari which is why I bought it. Anyone else with this issue?
     
  2. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,892
    There is a sooty black liquid from condensation in the exhaust system that can fool people into thinking there is an oil leak. Maybe that's what you are observing. Most Ferrari's have this. But I think it is more of a nuissance with the direct injection engines.
     
  3. Surfah

    Surfah F1 Rookie

    Dec 20, 2011
    3,144
    I've put close to 400 miles on mine since taking ownership at 3500 miles, no issues with oil leak whatsoever. I took her in for my 2 year service last week and they need to replace a couple parts causing a metallic clacking sound when making a hard right or left turn.
     
  4. gircal

    gircal Karting

    Nov 13, 2009
    90
    South Florida
    Full Name:
    Dick G
    When you get the car back, would you please find out which parts they replaced to eliminate this sound? My dlr doesn't know. Thanks
     
  5. gircal

    gircal Karting

    Nov 13, 2009
    90
    South Florida
    Full Name:
    Dick G
    And yes, it is most likely the water condensate drip that we all have just after start up. Put a pizza pan on the floor underneath it and you'll be fine.
     
  6. Surfah

    Surfah F1 Rookie

    Dec 20, 2011
    3,144
    "Hub carrier" is a known issue according to my service manager.
     
  7. Balsamina

    Balsamina Formula Junior

    May 19, 2010
    946
    San Francisco Area
    Full Name:
    S
    I haven't had an issue with oil leaking. How severe is your leak?

    Hope I didn't jinx myself.
     
  8. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2007
    2,837
    Swanton Ohio
    Full Name:
    Rick Lederman
    $0.72 bet that it is the carbon from the exhaust.

    Rick
     
  9. familiar

    familiar Rookie

    Apr 24, 2011
    14
    You guys are right. It turned out to be the exhaust condensation. Thank you all.
     
  10. ELP_JC

    ELP_JC Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2008
    1,264
    May I ask you where exactly is this dripping? I assume you're talking somewhere under the vehicle, not at the exhaust tips (where it'd be obvious). Thx.
     
  11. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,892
    The black carbon soot is the result of the high levels of combustion with direct injection technology.

    The balck soot is also the reason that the manifolds were changed. The soot was plugging up some of the sensor ports on the first manifold. The update ones have a modified opening.
     
  12. arcticsilver997

    arcticsilver997 Karting
    Owner

    Oct 27, 2007
    203
    Northern California
    Why is this "soot" mixture coming from the middle of the car? I understand it is normal but does that mean there is a leak somewhere?
     
  13. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,185
    Vegas baby
    It dribbles out the exhaust and goes to the lowest level of the car before falling off.
     
  14. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,185
    Vegas baby
    My F430 did the same thing and it wasn't direct injection. I think it's just the way modern catalytic converters work very efficiently and give off a lot of water vapor.
     
  15. arcticsilver997

    arcticsilver997 Karting
    Owner

    Oct 27, 2007
    203
    Northern California
    My previous F430 did it also but at least you could clean it since most of it was at the back and not under/towards the middle of the car.
     
  16. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,892
    Remember that the engine in the Cali is in the front, so the the exhaust pipes are considerably longer which means a greater amount of sooty condensation.
     
  17. usmc_0311

    usmc_0311 Karting

    Aug 20, 2022
    63
    Coral Gables FL
    Just got my 2014 about 2 months ago - love it. Called the dealer yesterday to make an appointment to have this exact issue looked at. This thread saved me the bother. Thank you guys.
     

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