Hi there, I am a bit stuck with my first diagnosis so maybe you can help. Driving my 348 for around 6 months I never ever had any temperature issues (at least I think). Driving at normal speed/style the temperature is at the moving between the second line and the middle ...more on the second line - pushing the pedal it goes from 90°/middle till half of the next line. This seems normal to me ... I did not loose any coolant so I was happy. This weekend I drove up to a very high mountain and I really floored the car. It was driving like this for around 20 minutes and 2-3 minutes away from the top a caravan pulled out and I had to drive slowly because I could not overtake. This seemed good for me because I thought the engine could cool down. The temperature was at/close before the third line (so the one after 90° C). I parked the car and let it IDLE to cool down as I always do with my cars... but at this very moment people were running by as my 348 already lost coolant when I drove into the parkin place. The coolant was running out of the expansion tank overflow hose rapidly. I could feel that its boiling inside. Letting the engine idle and turning the heater to hot did not help - at a sudden point I stopped the engine and the coolant stopped flowing out after 3-4 minutes or so... I got hot water in bottles and slowly filled them in as the engine had cooled down a bit while I started it again. I refilled around 6 liters. I was kind of depressed then and drove slowly down the mountain - the temperature stood at the second indication (the one before the middle) and all was fine. Did not loose any coolant in any way so there was no harm to the engine or any gasket. I decided then to go fast again. Pushed the pedal... drove like a Ferrari should be driven - all fine. Temperature max. at the middle - good power good speed. All fine. Today we reached the last mountain and again I had a similar situation. I was driving up the mountain quickly (not that quickly like first time) and then I had to do the last 1-2 miles very slowly because of traffic jam. As soon as the 348 saw the parking place it started to spit water out of the expansion tank. This time it was only 1 liter then it stopped. Pretty annoying... So here's the thing: -I can hear both fans running. If I start the car cold it heats up within 5 minutes or so till shortly before middle line on the gauge, then both fans blow. When I let the car idle at a parking place, traffic, etc - the heat stays at max 90° - no temperature issues -Both fans were blowing while coolant went out of the expansion tank - I let the car idle and the temp was not going down So here are my assumptions... happy to hear your comments -It could be that the pressure valve integrated in the top of the expansion tank opened too soon, letting the pressure out ... so the water boiled earlier than it should -The water pump is not working properly ... does not move enough water -The radiators need a flush not providing enough cooling power -The fans are worn out and not blowing enough air through I dont think it it the fault of the temperature switch because the fans were on... I also dont think it its the thermostat because in normal condition cooling works fine (or am i wrong?) Thanks for any help P.S. I just read that you should check coolant level when the car is cold and then fill till 6-7 cms below top. I did fill the coolant till 50% of the tank when the car was hot. Is there any impact?
Thermostat. You've had a problem for a while, just not recognized it. They tend to stick "open". You temp should not vary that much ever.
@plugzit Ok. Could you maybe explain? If it stays closed temperature should be always high, if it stays open temperature should be always to could...? Would like to understand your thoughts @2na No.. looked after that pretty first thing
Goth did a poll and analysis not long ago. Motor runs too cool when not working hard, too hot when working hard (like uphill). Thermostat is "flow control", and that's not working for you IMO. Betcha $10 you'll find it broken, stuck open. ECU is confused, timing off.
Start with the simple things. Check to make sure the air flow through the doors is not blocked. You have already verified the radiator fans come on, so that is not the issue. Be sure that the air has been properly bled out of the cooling system. If there is air present in the system it can make it's way to the water pump and cause cavitation, which will cause the temps to go up because the pump is not moving coolant. I suspect a faulty thermostat. Here is the do-it-yourself guide http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/technical-q/385608-348-thermostat-removal.html While you are replacing the thermostat it would be good idea to flush out the system with the thermostat removed. After the flush put the new thermostat in. If all else fails THEN I would suspect there is a problem with the impeller on the water pump. To deal with the pump is a full engine OUT removal procedure. So............start with the EASY stuff. Capiche?
Thanks. Just ordered new thermostat, seal and a the 1.1 bar cap (just to be sure). Let you know as soon as I get the stuff and find the time to replace. Many thanks in advance!
