Overheating in traffic in a 82 308? | FerrariChat
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Overheating in traffic in a 82 308?

Discussion in '308/328' started by Reborn996, Oct 24, 2009.

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  1. Reborn996

    Reborn996 Rookie

    Apr 18, 2009
    12
    #1 Reborn996, Oct 24, 2009
    I am thinking of finally joining the F-club with a new weekend toy... but the local car I am looking at has an interesting issue. It overheats in traffic when hot outside. Supposedly it does not do this in milder temps or when being driven, only in stop and go situations. The owner already did a radiator and fan replacement and the Ferrari service shop it is at confirmed this. The shop owner mentioned to me however that he thinks it might be the headgaskets... the engine has decent compression and there does not appear to be any oil or coolant inter-mixing. Does the 308 require periodic head bolt retorquing and if so could this be the issue if it was not done?

    Other than that the car is in decent shape and just had a major done to it. The repair shop it is at is run by a guy straight from Italy who has an extensive Ferrari background and seems trusting. I think he mentioned the headgasket as kind of a warning before the owner showed up to meet me. ;)

    David
     
  2. wazie7262

    wazie7262 Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2008
    2,357
    Temecula, CA
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #2 wazie7262, Oct 24, 2009
    When you say overheating...how hot? I believe your fans should come on in "sluggish traffic" at approx 195 degrees, but there are many others on here who know WAY better than I. If the car is running cool under load and in "free driving conditions", perhaps you either have an issue with the fans or some eltronic gubbins pursuant to the same?

    Good luck :)
     
  3. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,811
    Cerritos, CA.
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    Mike
    #3 miketuason, Oct 24, 2009
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2009
    When they did the radiator replacement, how many times did they bleed the system and how did they do it?
    Are both fans coming on, if so at what temp?
     
  4. ace_pilot

    ace_pilot Formula Junior

    Sep 6, 2007
    921
    Long Island, NY
    Full Name:
    George
    #4 ace_pilot, Oct 24, 2009
    I'd say forget about it. If it overheats and there's a potential problem with the head gasket, why would you even bother with the car. There's a lot of 308s for sale and the 82's are not the most desirable. I'd say move on to the next one...unless it's dirt cheap and a project in your spare time....

    Ace
     
  5. CliffBeer

    CliffBeer Formula 3

    Apr 3, 2005
    2,198
    Seattle, Washington
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    Cliff
    #5 CliffBeer, Oct 25, 2009
    A head gasket? Huh? A head gasket either seals or it doesn't. If it doesn't then you'll see oil in the water and water in the oil.

    But that won't cause overheating in traffic.

    I'd start by making sure both fans are coming on. And, verify that the fans are running in the right direction (people do hook them up backwards sometimes), and at full strength. The original twin fans can slow and get weak as they (the brushes, really) age and wear. Then, burp the coolant to make sure there's no air locks. Then, check for a partially stuck thermostat.

    If none of the above cures it then it might be time to get the rad serviced.....
     
  6. Reborn996

    Reborn996 Rookie

    Apr 18, 2009
    12
    #6 Reborn996, Oct 25, 2009
    Yeah, not sure on this one... the logic to the headgasket was that in high heat situations with low flow / rpm on the engine the headgasket would allow pressure loss due to a small leak in those conditions. The leak obviously would be to atmosphere rather than into the engine (which would show up in the oil). Still, not sure I want to deal with this problem. Thanks for the feedback...
     
  7. CaptOharry

    CaptOharry Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2009
    763
    Green Cove Spgs FL
    Full Name:
    Harry Welch
    #7 CaptOharry, Oct 25, 2009
    Have you checked the condition of the radiator?
     
  8. RVIDRCI

    RVIDRCI Formula 3

    Dec 1, 2005
    1,576
    Long Beach / Phoenix
    Full Name:
    Luigi
    #8 RVIDRCI, Oct 25, 2009
    Define "overheats in traffic". Do you mean boils the coolant and pegs the temp gauge ?, or just tends to get to the high end of the water gauge and hotter than normal oil temps ? I think all 308s will do that in hot weather and slow traffic. No air moves over the oil cooler and not enough through the radiator (even with fans working IMHO).

    Mine does that, but cools right down to sub 90c water / sub 100c oil as soon as the car is moving above 40 or so, regardless of weather temp.
     

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