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Temp Gauge advice

Discussion in '348/355' started by crw, Jan 18, 2012.

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  1. crw

    crw Rookie

    Jan 14, 2012
    3
    #1 crw, Jan 18, 2012
    Hi looking at a 97 f355 to purchase , took it for an extended test drive and notice the water temp gauge moves up and down all the time , while driving 90 seems the norm , then in traffic it almost goes to the 130 red limit , then drops back once you are moving again , the oil temp seems to be much more stable , is this normal in the 355, my first ferrari and all a bit different , any advise appreciated
     
  2. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,795
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    #2 plugzit, Jan 18, 2012
    Not normal.
    Do fans come on when sitting in traffic?
    Possible thermostat problem, as broken thermostats stick open.
     
  3. crw

    crw Rookie

    Jan 14, 2012
    3
    #3 crw, Jan 18, 2012
    Didnt hear anyhting like a fan , are they very noisey,are the thermostats expensive?
     
  4. tomw

    tomw Formula 3

    Feb 25, 2004
    2,413
    London
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #4 tomw, Jan 18, 2012
    Temp gauge shouldn't really get much past 190F (~90C) in my experience, sounds like it's running overly hot. The fans kick in around here and should bring it back down. Common reasons for hot 355s seem to be anything from low coolant, to fan fuses to a knackered radiator. Could be a simple fix...

    Checking if the fan is working is easy enough, they're not amazingly loud so you may not hear it over the engine while driving. If you get a chance to drive the car again, park up at the end of the drive and leave the engine on. Once the temp gauge gets past 90ish stick your ears near the air intakes at the rear of each door, you should be able to hear the fan(s).
     
  5. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

    Feb 28, 2005
    4,208
    Full Name:
    chris
    #5 cf355, Jan 18, 2012
    Testing the fans is easy while your sitting in the car at idle at full operating temperature (190-195 degrees for both coolant and oil).

    Its not overly loud but you can clearly hear the fans cycle (and I have a race tubi setup),
    first left fan followed by the right fan.
     
  6. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

    Feb 28, 2005
    4,208
    Full Name:
    chris
    #6 cf355, Jan 18, 2012
    I think the thermostat cost around $160.00 or so when I last replaced mine.
    You can verify the price at Ricambi's website.
     
  7. UStifosi

    UStifosi Rookie

    Nov 5, 2003
    16
    Reston, VA
    #7 UStifosi, Jan 18, 2012
    The fans kick on at 190deg F (+ or - 3deg) or 88deg C (+ or - 2 deg) and then turn off at 179deg F (+ or - 3 deg) or 82deg C (+ or - 2 deg).

    Max permissable is 239deg F (115 deg C)
     
  8. crw

    crw Rookie

    Jan 14, 2012
    3
    #8 crw, Jan 18, 2012
    Thanks for the info , it seems to go from hot in traffic and with the air on to cool below 90 on the move , so will get it checked out , gets quite hot over here in Aus so dont want to cook the head gaskets
     

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