328 Fan Temp Sensor Kaput

I think there are more issues with neglected cooling systems than them being marginal in design (at least on the 328 series). I bought a relatively low mileage 328GTS back in 2002 (25k miles) and it overheated on the first hot day. Took it to an independent Ferrari specialist Alfa of Tacoma and Carlo said the radiator tubes inside were all plugged up and needed to be cleaned out. He pulled it out, sent it to a radiator shop and then reinstalled with a fresh, new thermostat...never had cooling problems again. I sold the car to a local FCA member, he's never mentioned overheating problems...he still has the car.

 

I don't know how accurate the numbers are but it doesn't matter if it points straight down 95% of the time, until you hit stop and go traffic in an Alabama summer and suddenly it pegs to the far right and stays there until you get moving again.

 

328's were never a problem unless something was "broken" like in your case.

They are quite different up front vs a 308 QV.

 

My bad, yes... I'm looking to replace to 195F Switch with the 180F switch for a 1984 308 QV and I'm wondering if the https://www.carid.com/wahler/engine-cooling-auxiliary-fan-switch-mpn-6010-82d.html#features is the recommended replacement?

 

The fan switch is the same 2 pole fan switch used by VW in the late 70's to mid 80's

 

If the gauge isn’t accurate, it doesn’t matter where it points.

 

I think it is this one, but just looking for confirmation to make sure it uses the correct threading: Wahler 601082D. It used for Audi, Porsche, Saab, and VW in the '70s, '80s, and into the early '90s[2 pole fan switch]. (For use in a 1984 308 QV)

 

Again, I'm not looking at the numbers. Im watching the behavior of the needle.

If nothing else, it is 100% consistent. Something is getting much hotter ONLY under certain circumstances.

The whole accurate vs precise thing.

 

But the plumbing is essentially the same, and a similar problem with the radiator can crop up on the 308, as the 328. That is the radiator tubes get clogged up. Running the fans more often with a lower set point on the thermo switch is a "bandaid" for a radiator no longer possessing the proper cooling capacity it was born with.

 

Correct.

A 328 has to be broken to run hot.

Many QV's did it right off the showroom floor. They didn't need a clogged pipe.

 

Agree, if a 328 overheats under ANY conditions, something is broken! On one occasion mine sat in 108F temps in bumper to bumper traffic for over an hour with the AC running (to virtually no useful effect!), with no issue at all. Fans cycled on every few minutes, for about a minute at a time.

 

The old 70s/80s Fiat and Lancia Betas uses the same two prong sender.