Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Ferrari math

[Doug & Terri (dnt]

Ric Rainbolt once 'checked 6' only to discover flames coming out of his 360 Modena's engine bay. Poo happens. A.K.A. Entropy

 

Picture this – May 1995, the 78 308 GTS has just been delivered to Kalifornia from MN.  Oh boy.  I check it out – check fluid levels, piss the air out of the system and incorrectly shut the coolant expansion tank cap. 

 

Honorable daughter and I take it out.  About 3 miles from home – I check 6.  Whaaaa?  Steam on rear window?  What th. . . ?  Stop the car, see expansion tank cap bubbling coolant onto the aft exhaust system.  Hmmm, thinks I, it shouldn’t be that hot – I fetch a rag with the thot of backing off cap ½ turn and re-closing.  I grab cap, turn cc ½ turn and all hell breaks loose.  Cap stays in position half open and coolant boils out like crazy and onto the hot exhaust AND CATCHES ON FIRE - - - !!  OMG as I calmly run in a circle as if one shoe is nailed to the earth – and start to blow it out.  It goes out and catches again.  I do it again – it goes out, and catches on fire again - - - 10 puffs and pre- hyperventilation later the flames stay out.

 

Make a note:  Correctly latch expansion tank cap; if engine has run do NOT touch cap if NOT latched correctly; coolant can catch on fire; & carry a fire extinguisher.

 

Good day – a little adrenaline rush and I learned a few things.

 

DOUG