Oil temp and Oil pressure fluctuations into red | FerrariChat
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Oil temp and Oil pressure fluctuations into red

Discussion in '360/430' started by GordonF355, Jul 18, 2015.

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  1. GordonF355

    GordonF355 Formula 3

    Aug 13, 2005
    1,017
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Gordon
    #1 GordonF355, Jul 18, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My 2000 euro 360 Modena has the Oil temp issues I believe that I read about on this forum.
    I went for a 100 mile drive today. On the way to my destination all dials were in the middle pretty much after about 10 minutes of driving. On way home the oil temp needle goes erratic. It jumped from 110 to 150 for no reason and at times pegged at 170 with the red light coming on. This was under pretty easy driving for the most part.

    When I came to a complete stop at red light the oil temp goes into 170 and red light comes on and needle wiggles back and forth a bit and the oil pressure light goes to 0 and red light comes on also just while stopped. When accelerating the pressure goes back to between 4 and 5 but temp still is at 170. What do I need to replace here? Oil and coolant levels are fine even though I am due for my annual oil and coolant change. Here are a few pics . Granted it was pretty hot today but still I don't think this is normal!~
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  2. Keith360

    Keith360 Formula Junior

    Feb 6, 2015
    570
    Santa Barbara County
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    Keith Williams
    #2 Keith360, Jul 19, 2015
    I would verify that the oil is really getting that hot. Maybe a temp prob into the oil cap on the filler down into the sump. The oil pressure would be another that I would verify. I have heard that the oil pressure senders do fail. Not sure what the failure mods are, but a mechanical gauge on the port would give you some idea if it is gauge problems. Normally oil and water temps follow one another. Engine heats up coolant and oil follows coolant temp and then runs +40F above the coolant. Hard for me to believe the oil is that hot. Are there any other conditions or observations? Smells, noises? Does it smell hot?
     
  3. Teachdocs

    Teachdocs Formula Junior

    Sep 3, 2012
    568
    Kansas City area
    Full Name:
    Chad
    #3 Teachdocs, Jul 19, 2015
    I would not drive the car anywhere until it is thoroughly checked out by someone experienced with the 360. You may do some serious engine damage, depending on what is going on.
    The low pressure at idle is likely because the oil is truly hot and the oil viscosity in the engine is relatively thin at that temp, so low pressure.
    Unlikely to have two senders fail at once.
    Get it checked out immediately and do not start or run the engine.
    My 2 cents......
     
  4. singletrack

    singletrack F1 Veteran

    Mar 16, 2011
    5,805
    Pittsburgh, PA
    #4 singletrack, Jul 19, 2015
    This. Always error on side of caution.
     
  5. cm2

    cm2 Formula 3

    Sep 26, 2012
    1,451
    SF Bay
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    Nathan
    #5 cm2, Jul 19, 2015
    Agree... This is alarming because of the correlation between the hot oil and low oil pressure. But normal water temp seems good. Maybe an oil cooler/flow problem?
     
  6. GordonF355

    GordonF355 Formula 3

    Aug 13, 2005
    1,017
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Gordon
    #6 GordonF355, Jul 19, 2015
    Thanks for the input! The weird part of all this is that 90% of the time I drive all of the gauges are all straight up at the half way mark once the car is warmed up... This just happened sporadically...
    Also, engine doesn't smell like anything really (oil etc). But after driving the engine is very hot of course!
     
  7. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 13, 2009
    16,545
    Charleston, SC
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    Curt
    #7 vrsurgeon, Jul 19, 2015
    Just the pressure would make me think "meh" bad sender... both pressure and temp.. that would make me work through it. blocked line? thermostat?
     
  8. windwrangler

    windwrangler Rookie

    Jul 27, 2014
    5
    #8 windwrangler, Jul 28, 2015
    I just had the same issue this past week!

    I picked up the car after having its annual service and track day inspection (Useless now), and later that day while accelerating onto the highway the oil temp gauge buried itself and the warning light came on. I pulled over immediately and inspected everything but it was fine... after checking the oil temp with the accessory switch on (Temp at 1/3rd on the gauge) I drove home slowly (All ok). The next morning I took it out and it did the same thing (Both times under moderate to heavy acceleration while passing another vehicle). I'm bringing it back to Ferrari to get checked this week so I'll let you know what they find.
     
  9. Dr.Gee

    Dr.Gee Karting

    Mar 18, 2015
    221
    Detroit
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    Gee Monie
    #9 Dr.Gee, Jul 28, 2015
    I would agree -don't drive it.and knowing essentially nothin if a sender is a pump,I give it my vote.eh,but faulty oil thermostat comes into mind as well.
     
  10. GordonF355

    GordonF355 Formula 3

    Aug 13, 2005
    1,017
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Gordon
    #10 GordonF355, Jul 29, 2015
    Update: I had it checked out a my mechanic last week while getting the annual oil and coolant change out. He mentioned the coolant was a bit low. Of course all gauges were on their best behavior when the car was there. I have not had any sort of issues since that incident - all gauges when the car is at temp areal pretty much straight up at 12 o clock. It has been extremely hot and muggy but everything has been normal! Every once in a while the oil temp needle wiggles and goes to about 150 but that is in stop and go traffic. Previous owner had the wire repaired twice so I knew about the issue. I will keep an eye on it but for now all is well!
     
  11. 1SG SETTLE

    1SG SETTLE Rookie

    Dec 14, 2023
    1
    Full Name:
    1SG Buck Settle
    #11 1SG SETTLE, Mar 24, 2024
    I have a 2004 360 SPIDER. All of a sudden my oil pressure and oil temperature gages started going crazy and red lining. I checked the engine with a temperature gage and it was normal. I changed the oil pressure transmitter(sending unit). It did not fix anything! Has anyone found a fix for this problem? Thanks so much
     

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