[kent328]

I am still very new to Ferrari ownership and have now owned a 1986 328 GTS for 5 months or so. I purchased from a reputabe Ferrari specialist. I had a couple of niggles that they put right for me. On the last visit I mentioned I sometimes notice a drop of clear fluid on the garage floor - but not all the time. The Service Manager had a good look and confirmed that it was most probably a tiny weep from the A/C unit and not to worry. he also commented that it was a very clean engine for its age and mileage (58k). as many cars will often have an oil leak or weep here and there! Sods law - since then I notice that after a week or so of the car being in the garage there is a very tiny drop of oil left on the floor. Its not every time and it's only about 10mm in diamteter (if that). The car had a recent oil change but the drop is not clean oil it looks a little gritty at times. Considering the advice given I have not been too concerned but I recently mentioned this to another Ferrari 328 owner and he made a point of saying that these cars should not leak or leave a drop at all, and that it's the start of something serious and not to be fobbed off by any garage!!

Any points of view or experiences are most welcome. As I say it has been infrequent. For example I used the car on Saturday and Sunday there was nothing !!


Regards
Stuart

 

[Pete04222]

I wouldn't worry about it Stuart. My experience has been that the more you drive them the less they leak. When they sit the seals dry out and shrink a bit, when you run the car the oil lubricates the seals and they swell back up. When I got my car the dealer disclosed that the cam seals leaked and would leave a spot about the size of a silver dollar on the floor ovar a week's time. He even gave me a new set of cam seals. The car had been sitting in his showroom for 6 months. After about 2 weeks of driving it the leaks stopped.

So just keep checking the oil, make sure it is full and drive the car. You could spend thousands of dollars trying to find and fix this little leak or you could just buy another quart of oil.

 

[archiegibbs]

I agree with Pete. I don't drive mine as often as I should, and when it stands a small quantity of oil leaks. There's no point paying hundreds to fix it, because as soon as it stands idle for a period of time it will leak again. The simplest solution is to put a drip tray under the engine to protect your garage floor and top up the oil.

 

[Boxer]

Per what Pete stated, if it sits for a bit the seals start to dry and you can get small leaks. I would not worry unless it is coming from under the water pump.

 

[kent328]

Thanks Guys for your replies.

Boxer - Why do you say from under the water pump? Where abouts is the water pump ??!!


Regards

 

[Boxer]

If you check the owners manual, there will be a diagram showing the exact location.