Heat Exchanger Failuer | FerrariChat

Heat Exchanger Failuer

Discussion in '360/430' started by goachild2000, Oct 20, 2014.

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  1. goachild2000

    goachild2000 Karting
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    Jul 20, 2004
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    Shardul Mehta
    About a month ago the coolant temps would go past the half way mark. Thanks to this forum we found the problem was a faulty coolant temp sensor. Replaced that and every thing was fine. This past weekend we were checking the fluids and the coolant reservoir is full a green gooey paste.
    It seems like the heat exchanger developed a bad leak.
    How difficult is it to replace this part and where is the best place to get a new one. Any DIY?

    Thank you
     
  2. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    You can replace it in two ways: go through the rear access hatch in the passenger compartment or by removing the air intake on the top of the engine.

    If I were to do it, I would buy the heat exchanger from ricambi, then I would also buy new air intake gaskets. That way you refresh any bad gaskets when you take off the air intake on the top of the engine to replace the intercooler. Takes a couple of days in the garage when I took off the air intake, redo the gaskets below the air intake plenum and the heat exchanger is right there.
     
  3. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

    Feb 24, 2007
    6,644
    Silicon Valley

    +1. Cleaning out the gooey mess is another thing altogether. That will likely take as much time and effort as the heat exchanger replacement. You have to get it all out as it will clog up the lines and lead to cooling problems if you don't. Also you will need to flush and change the transmission fluid to be sure to get out all the contaminated fluid. This is why it's important to do annual fluid changes, and also consider preventative replacement of the heat exchanger before this happens. That said, my old one didn't look all that bad, so this is consistent with advice that you may not have a heat exchanger problem if you do annual fluid changes, including coolant.
     
  4. English Rebel

    English Rebel Formula 3

    Aug 13, 2013
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    I changed mine as a precautionary measure and it was right at $1890 that included the intake gaskets ($20) and the 10% FCA discount. I elected to use the dealer provided heat exchanger instead of trying to save a couple of hundred bucks and I keep my peace of mind.
    The clean out of the cooling system and transmission will probably set you back another $1-3k depending on the amount of contamination.
    Alan
     
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  5. goachild2000

    goachild2000 Karting
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    Jul 20, 2004
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    thanks for all the advise and pointers.

    is it pretty easy to get to from the rear access panel. Manifold gaskets were replaced on this car.
     
  6. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    For the coolant system try dish detergent mix. Tranny flush is up to you..
     
  7. English Rebel

    English Rebel Formula 3

    Aug 13, 2013
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    I understand that frontal assault can be tricky. If you remove the oil lines from the transmission together with their supports and the coolant hoses from the tank you can pull the whole assembly out. I believe the water pump has to come off (good time for new seals). The only tricky part is removing the rear coolant hose clamp and hose as you have to fish your hand under the intake manifold to get to it.
    I believe that Rifledriver does it this way.
    Alan
     
  8. rizzo308

    rizzo308 F1 Rookie
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    Sep 12, 2004
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    To flush the cooling system I would use this product made by cummins can't post picture from my phone I ll post from my computer later. Product is called restore plus.
    Good luck
     
  9. rizzo308

    rizzo308 F1 Rookie
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    #9 rizzo308, Oct 20, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. English Rebel

    English Rebel Formula 3

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    Do you have coolant in the transmission or haven't you checked yet?
    Alan
     
  11. goachild2000

    goachild2000 Karting
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    have not checked that out yet.

    thanks for all the help!
     
  12. up4speed

    up4speed F1 Rookie
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    I have to imagine that it's way less harmful to have oil in the coolant, than coolant in the oil!
    I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that the cross contamination is isolated to your cooling system. Unfortunately, if I had to guess, I would think that if the fluid can mix one way, it will mix the other way as well.
     
  13. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
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    Aug 25, 2005
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    My mechanic has fixed a few of these. As I recall he said he had to disassemble the last transaxle because you can't just flush the goo out of the small oil passages. The transaxle was the big money pit because it takes a lot of time.
     
  14. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
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    Jan 28, 2007
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    Eddie B
    You can usually get away with it if you catch the failure early enough. A few trans oil changes at couple hundred mile intervals usually gets if all out. The tell-tale sign is reversing with A bit of steering lock applied, if uou get a noise and juddering the diff plates have been affected..
     
  15. weebz69

    weebz69 Karting

    Jul 11, 2014
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    Jason W.
    I just had mine completely fail on me. I brought it to the Shop. I was gonna tackle it but thats a pain in the a$$. I know the heat exchanger price went up in August it used to be $975....now its 1100 some. The part im ticked off is after multiple flushes i still have tranny fluid showing up from when it failed. So i guess ill keep doing flushes until the crap is gone. But dont drive your car, get this fixed, cuz that slushy stuff is your tranny fluid and the shop told me the place they order there parts from told em they had 3 other 360s heat exchangers fail and they also ordered tranmissions with em. I was lucky and i caught it early like you. After i discovered that i towed it in....its hard to say what it cost me cuz when the car was in i had them replace the tranny mount and rebuild my steering rack because it was leaking....All said and done 8100 but im sure it was mustly labor in the steering rack.
     
  16. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Oil out of the cooling system is harder.

    The trans is pretty easy. I use the cheapest oil I can find and just fill, run on the hoist and drain. Two times is usually enough.
     
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  17. English Rebel

    English Rebel Formula 3

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    Oh boy Jason, that car has cost you a pretty penny. That's a bummer. :(
    Alan
     
  18. English Rebel

    English Rebel Formula 3

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    I just checked Ricambi and they have gone from $975 to $1264.80. I chose to let my dealer provide it (for peace of mind) and was charged $1200 -- wonder it they hiked their price as well.
    Alan
     
  19. goachild2000

    goachild2000 Karting
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    very good info posted.
     
  20. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    Thank you. That's good to know for the transmission. For the engine I'd use a flush or some detergent if I have to (knock on wood).. and then if I'm pissed off enough change it to a challenge setup with the cooler perhaps behind on one side of the rear hatch lock.
     
  21. mdileo

    mdileo Karting

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  22. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
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    The real problem is the gear box. Sorry for the problem but you will get it cleaned up.
     
  23. EastMemphis

    EastMemphis Formula 3
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    It's a good idea to periodically check the expansion tank for an oil sheen. If caught early, a heat exchanger replacement is a lot simpler and the risks to the expensive transaxle are minimized.
     
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  24. mdileo

    mdileo Karting

    Jan 27, 2015
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    Update parts are in ! Lets see when i can get around to the service now. Ive heard sometimes the oil might mix i to the coolant and not the coolant into the gearbox / rear axle so im still hoping i can flush everything clean it all out and replace the exchanger n be back on the road .
     
  25. 24000rpm

    24000rpm F1 Rookie

    i just use cheap 75w90 to flush the gearbox.
    fill, run the car for 100 yards, drain
    fill, run the car for 100 yards, drain
    do this for 7 times, 10 times if you'd like.
    And its done.

    actually, after 5 times, the oil will appear to be ok. 10 times just to be OCD safe.
     

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