Blue liquid leaking from 355. Pleas help!
Discussion
haven't driven the 355 in a couple months due to the weather, but I make sure to start it say once a week and leave it for 20 minutes, just to keep everything ticking over.
So opened up the garage, the 355 started first time and I went back into the house. Came back 20 minutes later and the engine temperature was just past the middle of the dial, so nothing out of the ordinary there. Turned the car off and as i was walking away I noticed this huge puddle of blue liquid at the bottom of the car. It's not oil, but what could it be?
I'm gutted because I've never had a problem with it.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Oil you can tell. Its oil 
Brake fluid is generalyl yellowish.
Power steering is usually red, oily fluid.
Coolant is usually blue or green (althought Toyota coolant is Red).
My guess is coolant. Asuming that's the case, that much leaking would seem to indicate (to me at least) either a split hose or a shagged jubilee clip. That's asuming you haven't got it pouring out the overflow or forgotten to put the rad cap back on?
ETA I wouldn't think it is water pump, as that would be unliekly to just spring a huge leak (usually start weeping) plus your water temp would have gone through the roof.
Brake fluid is generalyl yellowish.
Power steering is usually red, oily fluid.
Coolant is usually blue or green (althought Toyota coolant is Red).
My guess is coolant. Asuming that's the case, that much leaking would seem to indicate (to me at least) either a split hose or a shagged jubilee clip. That's asuming you haven't got it pouring out the overflow or forgotten to put the rad cap back on?
ETA I wouldn't think it is water pump, as that would be unliekly to just spring a huge leak (usually start weeping) plus your water temp would have gone through the roof.
Edited by Cactussed on Thursday 25th February 15:56
Thanks for the help so far.
No haven't done that when the car is running should I go do that now?
Well The car was service about a month ago and that was the only time in about the past 5 months or so that the car has been driven. No I haven't topped it up with water.
ferrari spider said:
few questions. Is it an oil based substance ar a water based substance? Also looking fron the rear of the car were is the pool located? Also when the car is running have you looked under from the rear of the car, to see if you can see were its comming from?
Can you answer these first?
Oh and while the car has been stood have you toped up the water tank?
I think it's water based. i put my fingers in it and it just felt like water, not thick or anything. Can you answer these first?
Oh and while the car has been stood have you toped up the water tank?
No haven't done that when the car is running should I go do that now?
Well The car was service about a month ago and that was the only time in about the past 5 months or so that the car has been driven. No I haven't topped it up with water.
Right just gone and started the car up again anh had a look under the car, there doesn't appear to be any more coming out. I took a couple pictures if that helps.
As i said I have just had it service but I had a 2 hour drive back from the garage. Is it something serious or just an overfilled tank? The problem is the closest garage is 2 and abit hours away so it's not like I can just nip down there.
As i said I have just had it service but I had a 2 hour drive back from the garage. Is it something serious or just an overfilled tank? The problem is the closest garage is 2 and abit hours away so it's not like I can just nip down there.
Edited by lambo_xx on Thursday 25th February 16:48
Ok glad it doesn't appear to be anything serious! Thanks a lot for all of your help. I'd love to take it for a spin but my driveway is covered in snow so I'll probably never get it up the drive anyway and the roads are covered in salt and grit etc so I reckon it's best to wait to all this HORRENDOUS weather passes.
Thanks again
Thanks again
dry the garage floor check water level in header tank,have a drive out (keep one eye on the temp guage) then put it back in the garage over night and check underneath in the morning
a very similar experience happened with my 355 ,just had the belts done and full service including water pump inspection
2 days later water pump failed ,no signs of weeping or over heating just suddenly leaked badly
hope for you its just been overfilled at service and has now found its natural level ..ie over your floor
mark
a very similar experience happened with my 355 ,just had the belts done and full service including water pump inspection
2 days later water pump failed ,no signs of weeping or over heating just suddenly leaked badly
hope for you its just been overfilled at service and has now found its natural level ..ie over your floor
mark
ferrari spider said:
thats coolant. By the looks of its location its from the overflow pipe. Due to being over filled.
I bet you that if you took it for a 2-3 mile run right now it will have stopped by the time you return home.
Right thought I'd update everyone. I took the car out for a blast today and everything seems to be fine. The only thing is it seems to be getting hot quite quickly. I was sitting in traffic for a couple minutes earlier and the car was suddenly getting quite hot. Now I know it normally get's hot if it's sitting in traffic for a while but it seemed to heat up quickly. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Should I put a little bit of water in the tank?I bet you that if you took it for a 2-3 mile run right now it will have stopped by the time you return home.
lambo_xx said:
Right thought I'd update everyone. I took the car out for a blast today and everything seems to be fine. The only thing is it seems to be getting hot quite quickly. I was sitting in traffic for a couple minutes earlier and the car was suddenly getting quite hot. Now I know it normally get's hot if it's sitting in traffic for a while but it seemed to heat up quickly. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Should I put a little bit of water in the tank?
How hot? If it's no more than usual and the coolant level is fine I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Take it that it's not leaked an further? Is all ok now?
The Milfman said:
lambo_xx said:
Right thought I'd update everyone. I took the car out for a blast today and everything seems to be fine. The only thing is it seems to be getting hot quite quickly. I was sitting in traffic for a couple minutes earlier and the car was suddenly getting quite hot. Now I know it normally get's hot if it's sitting in traffic for a while but it seemed to heat up quickly. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Should I put a little bit of water in the tank?
How hot? If it's no more than usual and the coolant level is fine I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Take it that it's not leaked an further? Is all ok now?
Also, where has all Ferrari Spider's posts gone?
lambo_xx said:
Well I believe about 190 is the ideal temperature and that's roughly what I normally let it heat up to before giving the beans.
If that's the middle figure, not sure off the top of my head but it sounds right at low speeds/stop start traffic. Obviously runs a lot cooler at higher speeds when air is going in.lambo_xx said:
At the moment it will go past 190 if I’m sitting in traffic or driving round town but I've never let it go into the red.
It should go no further than just below the next mark after 190 at which point the fan will kick in. The norm is to go between 190 and just below the next mark when sitting in traffic. lambo_xx said:
What do you reckon the problem is? Oh and no it hasn't leaked anymore.
Personally have little idea but from what the others have said it sounds like a little overflow. As long as there's coolant in the tank and the car isn't overheating I'm sure it's fine, just keep an eye on it.lambo_xx said:
Also, where has all Ferrari Spider's posts gone?
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