Weekend Wrenching

"SPAMBot - Horse Doctor" (spambot2002)
08/23/2020 at 22:24 • Filed to: None

*GASPS* Area man changed his own oil on his Ferrari.

I’ve been procrastinating for about 3 weeks, but I finally got around to changing the oil on the 348. For the most part, it’s a pretty simple job, but it does require you to move a few things for access. Well, it’s typically an easy job, but I had to take a pretty long break due to dehydration. We are having a heat wave and I did a long run in the morning. I’m always good about drinking water and whatnot, but the heat hit me a little different yesterday.

Here is a quick rundown for anyone who is interested!

First step: open a refreshing Italian beverage. I went with Pellegrino this time, due to the heat and the long run earlier in the day. AP, Peroni, wine, Prosecco, whatever, will work.

Step two: Lift the car. I use two AL harbor freight jacks on the rear subframe, then jack stands.

Access: you need to remove a small panel on the bottom of the car and also the air box. Both are pretty simple, but the air box has two additional hoses on the bottom that can be slightly difficult. Also, if you are a towering 5'9", you should probably remove the air box before you lift the car. I used a step stool because I forgot. Lol

Drain the oil: Remove the drain plug on the reservoir. About a glass of wine’s worth of oil might come out here. Maybe none. New crush washer and I put the plug back in. Then crawl back under the car and take the engine’s drain plug out. The majority of the car’s 11 L will come out here. I got 9.5 this time. There is another step where you can remove the hose to the oil cooler, but most people I know do not do this step. I pulled off the oil filter and let it drain completely before putting a new drain plug and washer on.

New Filter: easy, especially with a specialty oil filter socket. The filter also has a one way check valve so no oil spills out while you remove it. Gotta keep that Italian masterpiece clean!

Put the car back together, fill it up, idle until the engine is warm, and check the level. Being a dry sump, you cannot check the level with the engine cold/off. I usually keep the level on the low side of normal, per recommendation from literally everyone with these cars

Last step: go for a drive! I woke up at 6am this morning and put 150 miles on the car. It ran great and it was nice going to a cruise.

That’s it! It’s just like every other car, with one minor addition due to the dry sump. The 348 community is great about DIY. The rest of the Ferrari community should take a page out of our book. They are cars. Especially this being an old car, everything is surprising normal once you get over the anxiety of tearing apart you Ferrari.

Happy Sunday, OPPO!

DISCUSSION (9)

jminer > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
08/23/2020 at 22:36

Well done!

ClassicDatsunDebate > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
08/23/2020 at 22:58

“Why don’t you go put on an old shirt before you work on the car.”

Urambo Tauro > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
08/23/2020 at 23:07

I usually keep the level on the low side o f normal, per recommendation from literally everyone with these cars

Is that for weight savings ?

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Urambo Tauro
08/23/2020 at 23:45

Gotta run a lighter weight oil to save weight. Science!

All the normal not overfilling reasons, but also, being an old car, and Italian, to prevent leaks and drips

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > jminer
08/23/2020 at 23:49

Thanks! My second time changing the oil. I remember it being easier, but last time it was much less hot lol

Next to do is the gear oil! I think they say coolant flush as well, but it looks nice and clean still. I hate messing with coolant on any vehicle, so I will probably take it in for that, plus the brake/clutch fluid when I need new tires mounted. Which should happen soon as they are getting old

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > ClassicDatsunDebate
08/23/2020 at 23:50

I am sorry, I do not know that reference

#kidsthesedays

ClassicDatsunDebate > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
08/24/2020 at 01:15

When I saw the pic of you under the car, the first thing I thought of was my wife giving he heck for wearing ‘good clothes’ whilst working on the roadster, or painting, or whatever. ....never mind

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > ClassicDatsunDebate
08/24/2020 at 01:34

Haha that’s what I originally thought you meant but the quotes threw me off so figured it was a reference lol

In reality, those are old clothes. Old paint stained gym shorts and a T from my previous company. Not concerned about ruining that!

ClassicDatsunDebate > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
08/24/2020 at 01:39

Lol...it’s funny where our brains go. Anyway, good on ya for tackling the Ferari maintenance. I’ll wear my Car Bro’s shirt on Monday in your honour. Cheers!