355 Water Pump | FerrariChat

355 Water Pump

Discussion in '348/355' started by kalinsd, Oct 10, 2016.

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  1. kalinsd

    kalinsd Formula Junior

    Apr 14, 2010
    423
    Washington
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    DJ
    #1 kalinsd, Oct 10, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Think the water pump seal is on the way out. Left side of clutch housing is showing signs of antifreeze, while the other side is clean. Also, the antifreeze is showing on the oil sump. If not the water pump, what might it be?

    BTW, the car does not drip any coolant onto the floor.

    Thanks in advance.

    DJ
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  2. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Mitchell Le
    #2 yelcab, Oct 10, 2016
    I am not sure that would be my diagnosis.
     
  3. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 PAP 348, Oct 10, 2016
    Something is starting to weep DJ, that's for sure.

    Can you pressure test the cooling system yourself?

    If not, take it to someone who can pressure test the cooling system for you so you/they can inspect for leaks.

    It could be the water pump, but it could be a hose clamp that needs to be nipped up a 1/4 of a turn.

    Definitely have the cooling system pressure tested, it's the only way to know for sure what is leaking mate.
     
  4. dougburhyte

    dougburhyte Karting

    Dec 28, 2005
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    Douglas Burhyte
    #4 dougburhyte, Oct 10, 2016
    DJ - Could be the seal, as it does fail in the 355. I had a similar problem... smelled a bit of anti-freeze while driving with the targa top removed but didn't have visible signs of a leak. If you have a means to pressurize the cooling system to, say, 5-10 psig, which I think is close to normal when the engine is warm and running, you might be able to detect some leakage around the seal. Mine was pretty minor, so I lived with it for a couple of years until I had the engine-out service performed. Hope this helps.

    Doug
     
  5. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    #5 yelcab, Oct 10, 2016
    If the water pump seal fails, the water drips out of the weep hole under the pump, gets splashed around by the spinning action of the belts and sprays it to the left front of the engine.

    The leaks onto the case of the transmission points to a possible coolant leak over the top of the engine. There are so many possibilities. A pressure test will tell right away.
     
  6. kalinsd

    kalinsd Formula Junior

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    #6 kalinsd, Oct 10, 2016
    Thanks everyone. Pressure Test It Is!

    Best,

    DJ
     
  7. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 PAP 348, Oct 10, 2016
    Good man, please let us know what happens. :)
     
  8. kalinsd

    kalinsd Formula Junior

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    #8 kalinsd, Feb 25, 2021
    Need to get this pressure test completed. Would like to get a recommendation on which tester to purchase.

    Thanks and will report back on what is found on this poor old and tired 355....
     
  9. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    #9 yelcab, Feb 25, 2021
    Install the new waterpump. Fill car with coolant. Apply Stant pressure tester unit to the coolant tank (with a specific tank cap adapter). Watch for leaks.
     
  10. kalinsd

    kalinsd Formula Junior

    Apr 14, 2010
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    DJ
    #10 kalinsd, Jul 1, 2021
    Long overdue update on the cooling system leak on the 355........ Used the Motive Pressure Bleeder to charge the system to ~15lbs and found the leak. Located just in front of the right head is a hose/clamp where the clamp was just finger tight. A few twists on that clamp, repressurized the system and no leaking.

    Dumping the oil and want to dump the old gas too. Less than a 8th of a tank of gas and wondering if the remaining gas is easily drained via the plug at the bottom of the tank? Once that plug is removed, will it require a gasket or is the existing reusable.

    Thanks and looking forward to at least driving this one to Cars & Coffee. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  11. spaghetti_jet

    spaghetti_jet Formula Junior

    Jan 5, 2005
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    Bob
    #11 spaghetti_jet, Jul 1, 2021
    the brass bolt on the bottom of the fuel pump housing is the drain plug. You will get virtually all the fuel out from there. Getting the plug out creates a mess, but once out it drains straight down.

    There is a small rubber o ring on the drain plug and they’re pretty cheap, so worth changing.

    I thought my tank was almost empty, I did maybe 80km with the fuel light on and I was almost caught out by the amount of fuel still in there. Prepare cans for double whatever you think is in there. It’s no fun to run out of cans while the fuel is still gushing out.
     
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  12. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
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    #12 Ferrarium, Jul 1, 2021
    After the low fuel light comes on there is still 5 gallons of so left. At least in mine there was. What a mess.
     
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  13. kalinsd

    kalinsd Formula Junior

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    DJ
    #13 kalinsd, Jul 1, 2021
    Gentlemen all! Thanks for the heads up. I've lots of storage containers for the old gas.
     

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