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radiator hoses

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by moserpe, Nov 8, 2007.

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  1. moserpe

    moserpe Karting

    Jul 20, 2006
    137
    Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Peter Moser
    #1 moserpe, Nov 8, 2007
    On my last trip with the 400i, while accelerating up to 6000 rpm, I got a sudden spash of brownish liquid on the screen and noticed heavy "fume" behind the car. Immediate thought: major engine failure. Stopped the car immediately after trying to get sight by washing the windscreen. A first check revealed that the upper radiator hose was broken, the liquid was cooling fluid only and the "fume" must have been steam from cooling water evaporating on the exhaust pipes. I called the road assistance and within less than an hour, the problem was temporarily fixed. Of course, the replacement hose did not have exactly the correct dimensions and the car was leaking coolant while driving back home. Luckily I made it just before the temperature reached an unacceptable level (in the early motoring days they also used a system called "evaporation cooling").
    In the meantime I have replaced all radiator- and heater- hoses which was on the to-do's list anyway since I'm owning the car. The old hoses were in really bad condition!
    Now I have the following question: what about oil- and hydraulic system- hoses? It would be much worse to have a similar failure e.g. with the hose to the oil- radiator. Do these hoses tend to fail after 25 years as well? Since they are taylored, the replacement is quite costly and I will postpone it another couple of years if there is no negative experience around (the equivalent hoses in my MB 280 SL were still OK after 40 years).

    Peter
     
  2. blkprlz

    blkprlz Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2007
    2,169
    Tampa bay
    Full Name:
    Bruce
    #2 blkprlz, Nov 8, 2007
    Peter,
    Obviously, your rad hoses showed their age.......& failed! Check the condition of the hydraulic & oil hoses, if the power steering goes down, it'll be a bear to maneuver but manageable unless you have to do some serious parking. Oil hoses are another story.....it wouldn't hurt to change them out if they look a little worn (cracking, rusty fittings). Hey, they'll last you another 25 years by doing so & can assure yourself of preventing a breakdown (which you won't be able to limp home, it'll be a tow job). It may effect your wallet (at some point you are going to have to change them anyway), but you won't be inconvenienced as a result (I hate when that happens!).
    Bruce
     
  3. moserpe

    moserpe Karting

    Jul 20, 2006
    137
    Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Peter Moser
    #3 moserpe, Nov 9, 2007
    Thank you Bruce,

    Your thoughts are in line with mine. The oil hoses and those of the power steering "unfortunately" look like new from outside and the fittings have no corrsion at all. That's why I'm a bit reluctant to invest the money now. Anyway, I will have them made in a hydraulic's shop, using the old fittings rather than trying to get them through Ferrari. This will save quite a bit of money.
    Then, we still have the hoses of the hydraulics to the rear suspension and those of the AC left!

    By the way: Who is aware that there are seven different sizes (diameters) of hoses in the cooling / heating system?

    Peter
     
  4. SouthJersey400i

    SouthJersey400i Formula 3

    Mar 14, 2007
    1,679
    Romulus, NY (Finger Lakes)
    Full Name:
    Ken Battle
    #4 SouthJersey400i, Nov 9, 2007
    Peter
    Don;t forget the fuel lines. All those little plastic tubes in the fuel injection run at quite high pressure. I have read some posts about nasty CarBQ's!! Its on my winter list. You should be able to buy X' and cut each to match existing. Most are one size but there may be some that are a bigger diameter.
    Ken
     

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