488 GTB - Weird condensation on engine cover | FerrariChat
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488 GTB - Weird condensation on engine cover

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by georgemason, Jun 4, 2023.

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  1. georgemason

    georgemason Rookie

    Jun 4, 2023
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    george mason
    #1 georgemason, Jun 4, 2023
    Hi everyone,

    I have a 488 GTB with less than 3000 km (its been babied its whole life, rarely driven etc)

    I woke up this morning to turn it on, and noticed that my rear window fogged up across the right half

    It was rather cold in the morning so some condensation expected out of exhaust mainly but its the first time that this happens and to my untrained eye I fear some sort of pipe may be leaking?

    Should I lift it and send it to Ferrari garrage to take a look or does this look like a normal thing to you guys

    Car sounds ok and driving it less than 20 meters around to park etc seemed ok.. but dont dare take it further

    Appreciate your thoughts

    George
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  2. 05F430F1

    05F430F1 F1 Rookie
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    Todd
    #2 05F430F1, Jun 4, 2023
    You said, you “woke up to turn it on”— so was this there BEFORE you started the car or did it show up AFTER you started it? I am assuming after, right?


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  3. georgemason

    georgemason Rookie

    Jun 4, 2023
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    george mason
    #3 georgemason, Jun 4, 2023
    Yes, apologies was not clear- condensation appeared after
     
  4. 05F430F1

    05F430F1 F1 Rookie
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    Todd
    #4 05F430F1, Jun 4, 2023
    It certainly resembles a vent or leak on one side BUT being that you said it was cold, I’ve also seen this type of local fogging just from how it was cleaned/detailed… it can be possible that maybe you cleaned only half of the underside of the glass with some product previously and either the side that has product or does not have product on it, fogs up where the other side doesn’t.

    If that goes away after running a bit and it doesn’t have any greasy feel to it, I’d say this is not any issue. It’s likely just some kind of exhaust vent or opening or breather or something to that effect that you’re only noticing due to the cold morning…. I think I vaguely remember my F430 clouding up unevenly for a bit and then goes away once warm


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  5. Ferrari Tech

    Ferrari Tech Formula 3

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    Wade Williams
    #5 Ferrari Tech, Jun 5, 2023
    Everything has moisture in it. It appears that the exhaust has caused some rapid evaporation. It is unlikely that you have an engine issue. If it were leaking something that would allow that to happen, it would likely have a smell. Coolant is my thinking. I would not be concerned unless it starts happening frequently.
    You should dare to take it further as short time engine running is the worst thing for your car. The before mentioned moisture needs to be removed. That only happens at full temperature driving. The moisture is also in the engine components and need to be at a high temperature to be removed. Once up to temp, the moisture will be drawn to the oil tank and vented into the engine and disposed of through the exhaust. This needs to happen every time you start the car. So, go drive it and let us know if the issues happens again.
     
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  6. Lukastumpak

    Lukastumpak Rookie

    Feb 25, 2023
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    Lukas Tumpak
    #6 Lukastumpak, Jul 5, 2023
    I have the same problem, did you found a solution for that ?
     
  7. up4speed

    up4speed F1 Rookie
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    Chris
    #7 up4speed, Mar 27, 2024
    I also have this, during cold weather, for the first start of the day. But I think my whole engine compartment glass and rear cabin glass fogs up evenly. It doesn't have a smell to it.
    I shrugged it off as exhaust condensation getting in there. I'm guessing that it goes under the rear bumper, and into the engine compartment, since the actual exhaust tips terminate forward of the exhaust tip finishers that we see (you can see the gap if you look in).
    I thought it was normal, doesn't everyone else have this? For some reason, it only happens with my 488, it didn't happen with my 458 unless I washed it.
     

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