Jabbas Diablo Is Very Sick [Archive]

Jabba

08-28-2003, 12:10 AM

My poor diablo appears to be overheating...here is a picture of its normal running temps (oil temp in the bottom left water temp on the top right)

http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/5.jpg

now these are the current temps after driving for around 10 mins and no more than 50 mph (never out of 2nd gear even)

http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/3.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/4.JPG

thanks for all the great advice I have been getting from my JW regulars...but no luck....first we checked the coolent

http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/1.jpg

then we checked the oil

http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/2.jpg

the fans are running perfectly also....

so now it looks like either a sticky thermostat or fucked water pump....so back to good ole Lambo me thinks....

anyone else got any suggestions or would like to make a prediction as to what its likely to be ????

also whats the chances of any permanent damage to the engine with it running at those temps (it was for less than 20 mins)

666fast

08-28-2003, 12:12 AM

Thats not good! Sorry to hear that!

08-28-2003, 12:16 AM

So the problem persists? :(

I really hope it is just the gauge went crazy, but I fear it can be really showing the rigth temp :(

Dang, that sucks :(

SFDMALEX

08-28-2003, 12:18 AM

Ouch, If I was you I wouldn't drive it to the dealrship(or where ever you fix the car).

Maybe your low on oil or something like that.

Jabba

08-28-2003, 12:22 AM

nope it will be a transporter job for sure...and the oil looked fine (check the picture out) maybe its a sign to get an F50 :D

666fast

08-28-2003, 12:25 AM

I wouldn't worry about any long term damage. If you didn't drive hard or very long, not much should have happened. My guess would be the waterpump.
You can test the thermostat yourself if you want to pull it out. Just heat up some water and toss it in and see if it opens up. It'll help if you have a thermometer so you know the temp of the water, you'll also want to know when the thermostat is supposed to open up. I'm sure you could call a Lamborghini service place and they will tell you at what temp it should open.

Jabba

08-28-2003, 12:28 AM

the problem is...everything on that car is almost impossible to get to...you even have to remove the rear wheel to change the battery...(cooling system circled)

http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo2.jpg

SFDMALEX

08-28-2003, 04:41 AM

also whats the chances of any permanent damage to the engine with it running at those temps (it was for less than 20 mins)

Well if your oil is fine, then the pistons and other mechanical stuff will be ok I assume. Notihng melted I hope, the only things that could be affected by those temperatues in your case are the electronis, wires etc could have melted a bit if it was a civic, but the build quality of these beasts is the best in the world, and they can handel 20minutes of 100C torture. I think nothing was damaged Jabba.

sportVeloce

08-28-2003, 05:19 AM

There is no way i would be driving it at 110. Its red on the guage for a reason (btw I know Jabbas not going to drive it again). Over heating an alloy head cant be good. If your not careful you will warp your head and blow a head gasket. Or at wost seize your pistons having them stick to the steel sleve, or even crack the head.

My money is on the thermostat or the water pump.

Did you check your belts to make sure the water pump is still connected? (Im not sure if the diablo has a seperate belt to run the AC and water pump or if it runs off the cam belt - if it doesnt run off the cam belt, check the belt).

DR.GONZO

08-28-2003, 07:05 AM

nope it will be a transporter job for sure...and the oil looked fine (check the picture out) maybe its a sign to get an F50 :D

dam that sux!! Take it too lambo bro thet better fix it you have a lambo, if you decide to get rid of it get an f-40!!!!!!! If you can find it!! Sure you can!

novass

08-28-2003, 07:48 AM

sorry to hear that Jabba! i dont know much about Lambos so i wouldnt even know where to begin. sounds like you have done all the stuff i would have done, checking oil etc., other than that i would be too scared of fucking something up.

my Nova was heating up real bad a few weeks ago and it turned out to be a broken water pump. stuff for my Nova is cheap enough that im kinda happy when it breaks so it gives me an excuse to buy something better LOL

let us know what happens, best of luck!

Wide

08-28-2003, 07:59 AM

Sorry to hear that Jabba.. Dont know anything about Lambos but my friend has a problem same as u... He had a problem at the water pump..
When he fixed it both problems has gone..

jakaracman

08-28-2003, 08:10 AM

I wouldn't drive it - head gasket or even head damage. Does the temp keep going higher or does it stay at 110?

fedezyl

08-28-2003, 08:17 AM

First, was the oil pressure low? any coolant leaks?
Water pumps usually when they break they just leak, so in that case you should have a coolant leak, a faulty thermostat would definetely raise the water temp if there isn't any leak, think about someone turning the a/c off when it's 110 degrees because he's cold....
Now definetely don't run it anymore and have it checked, but for what i've seen I think it could probably be a faulty thermostat...

initiala4

08-28-2003, 10:23 AM

What happens if you turn on the heater? would the temp decrease?

possessed_beaver

08-28-2003, 04:07 PM

the tempratures, have been hell hot over there latley, am i not correct?
thats fucked

so u are in the market for a r34 GTR?

SFDMALEX

08-28-2003, 04:07 PM

[quote="sportVeloce"]Over heating an alloy head cant be good. quote]

Isnt the whole engine aluminum?

oic0

08-31-2003, 03:26 AM

666fast

08-31-2003, 06:21 AM

Ever get it fixed? im not really used to tuning modern cars, normaly carburated engines, so bear with me. Have you pulled a plug to make sure your arent running lean and that they are gaped right? Is your timing right? is your cam belt or chain old and stretched? is the cooling fan running? These are things you can check after you know the water pump and the thermostat are alright.

That would require dismantling the back half of the car!
My guess is either a waterpump or a thermostat. Did you take it in yet Jabba? I'm curious to know what caused it.

sportVeloce

08-31-2003, 04:44 PM

[quote=sportVeloce]Over heating an alloy head cant be good. quote]
Isnt the whole engine aluminum?

I believe it is aluminum-alloy, which is an aluminum composite. The block and head are aluminum alloy. Hence my comment of pistons sticking. It is more likely that you will damage the head before cracking a bore in the block. Because it is aluminum alloy there is even more cause for concern than a motor that has a steel block, due to aluminum alloys intolerance for excessive heat.

Jabba -> Any update on the status of your baby?

dis3as3d

09-02-2003, 05:32 PM

Im by means no expert on ferrari repairs but heres what I think. Your probably either have shit built up in your raidator(s) constricting flow or your water pump died. If you have recently flushed your coolant it is possible for a pocket of air to get traped and get stuck in either the raidator or the water pump.

Excessive heat can be harmful if you blow a gasket or something like that. If you blew a gasket then you would be burning coolant, if there is coolant in the comustion chambers you should have white smoke comming out of your exhaust.

scubywrxr

09-02-2003, 09:57 PM

Have you noticed a sweet sickly sweet smell wafting from your tailpipes? this could be a blown head gasket - is easily missed on a twelve cylinder car.. are there any pools of fluid under the car and at what spot? this could help u trace a potential leak in ur cooling system/radiators or the possible culprit (eg. fucked water pump).. a tired thermostat would be the cheapest repair. check it out.

cheers

Jabba

09-02-2003, 10:02 PM

Thanks for everyones suggestions....apparently the thermostat failing on these cars is extremely common...and I have a new one making its way to me as I type this.... all the way from Italy....it should be hear tommorow...and I will be attemting to fit it then if I have time...(maybe a live web broadcast on jabbas world would be a good idea)...especailly with so many experts around....if not I will try and get some pictures up of the operation in progress...

fedezyl

09-02-2003, 10:41 PM

Nice! yeah, a Live broadcast would be awesome!
please please please!

Jabba

09-02-2003, 10:58 PM

novass

09-03-2003, 03:09 AM

hmm I will see what I can do...as it is possible as I have a video sender that I can connect to my colour cam and connect to my capture card to make the broadcast...not sure if I would be happy broadcasting us fucking it up though LMAO....

that would be great! i love working on cars as much as i like to drive them. ive never been able to get under the hood of anything Italian, that would be great to see. im sure you wont fuck it up, i wont say shit if you do cause ive fucked up many cars in my lifetime in attempts to "fix" them. it seems im better at breaking then i am at repairing. good luck, i bet the Diablo is getting lonely without some Jabba lovin LOL

jon_s

09-03-2003, 10:51 AM

Live Vid or not, good luck mate. It should not be too hard, and at least you know that no matter what you do, the car will still work lol. p.s as it is a common problem....ordering a spare might be an idea, saves you some time and effort in the future, just an idea. :P

Jabba

09-03-2003, 11:12 AM

ordering a spare might be an idea, saves you some time and effort in the future, just an idea. :P

yes a very good idea...I have quite a few spares now for the Lambo...so defently a good idea to have an extra thermostat around....

Anyway its just arrived and here it is....so I guess were all set for tonight....

http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/therm/1.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/therm/2.jpg

Jabba

09-03-2003, 08:19 PM

Not good !!! it was not as easy as I was led to believe it was going to be....we managed to get the cover off....but couldnt identify where the thermostat was...although I am pretty sure its within that metal casing at the end of that large thick pipe in the middle...anyone got any thoughts on this...???

http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/7.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/8.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/9.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/10.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/11.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/12.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/13.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/14.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/15.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/16.jpg
http://www.supercarshowdown.co.uk/diablo/17.jpg

sportVeloce

09-04-2003, 11:01 AM

Without a doubt in my mind its where the main radiator pipe goes into the head.

Look at the shape of the Gasket. It give it away totally. 4 bolts and your home.

Dont forget to seal your gasket. And definately dont forget to torque your bolts with a proper torque wrench. Its attached to an alluminium alloy composite that will have threads chewed quicker than a pack of gum.

jon_s

09-04-2003, 12:03 PM

I shall have a look into what we were talking about last night mate. :shock:

Nemisis8u

09-04-2003, 09:10 PM

Damn sorry to hear that. Hope you get it fixed soon. Must be a bummer.

coombsie66

10-22-2003, 02:29 PM

U get it done in the end jabba??? How much 4 the replacement thermostat out of interest?? and wat failed on the old unit!?

jon_s

10-22-2003, 07:55 PM

I believe all is well now. :P

themailman34

10-23-2003, 12:08 AM

hope you can get it fixed and get back to enjoying the car :D

Ziploc

10-23-2003, 02:55 AM

er take out the thrmostat yerself and through it in a pot of boiling water

see if it opens and in what temperature

i remember doing that to an 87 malibu classic

seems that it was faulty

jon_s

10-23-2003, 11:16 AM

He ordered and fitted a new one.

coombsie66

10-27-2003, 06:36 PM

Hey jon_s, u a mechanic at the south ken lambo dealership?? Where u live in london, im im fulham at the moment. Dont mean 2 b cheeky but if u cud get me and me mate a peak at the dealership it wud b fuckin sweet!!!!!!!!!

jon_s

10-27-2003, 08:55 PM

Oh mate I wish! and if I was.....yes I would show you about, unfortunately I have the hetic life of a trainee solicitor in the middle of London. I have the title of 'Lambo mechanic' because I helped Jabba with this problem (I know a little bit about engines) Also, sportVeloce
helped, and he too has the honour of lambo mechanic. Sorry that I could not help.....but I quite like the idea of someone thinking that I was a real Lambo mechanic lol 8)

FoxFour

11-04-2003, 01:39 AM

What happens if you turn on the heater? would the temp decrease?

Also, does the heater blow hot air when the car's engine is at operating temp? I cannot say for sure that this problem that I am going to tell you (Which is a common problem on the Ford Mustang Cobra's 32V block) would be something that the Diablo's engine could experience.
My engine- if you change the coolant fluid and run the car again can overheat badly if you do not 'burp' the coolant system. These engines have a funky coolant circulatory system that can trap air bubbles and cause hot pockets around the cylinder head area. The resulting problem would be that after a short drive-less than a 1/2 mile, the temperature gauge would skyrocket and if you would turn on the heater it would only blow cool air, much like a faulty thermostat would do. If you have not taken it in for service, check and see if you can find any special procedure for filling the coolant system. Or maybe ask your mechanic, if he's an up and up kind of guy, maybe he will tell you how to do it for future reference. Good Luck. Jack
[b]Jon_s- Do you know if there is a special procedure for 'burping' the coolant system on the Diablo's? I just read that he replaced the thermostat, sorry I was a 'Day late and a dollar short.

coombsie66

11-06-2003, 12:48 AM

LOL, i thought it was a long shot, but didnt want 2 say u arnt one r u, incase you took it as an insult and wudnt show me round!!!!!!!!!!hehe, ah well, thought it was 2 gud 2 b tru!!!
Where bouts in london do u live/socialise??

jon_s

11-06-2003, 12:09 PM

I live in SE London. I get pissed in town, usually in Holborn or Covent Garden, around that area anyway.

TimN88

12-02-2003, 11:23 PM

12-02-2003, 11:39 PM

Dude the problem was fixed like 2 months ago :P

SilverandColdS4

12-02-2003, 11:39 PM

The nerve of some peoples children :P

Jabba

12-03-2003, 12:39 AM

Try asking at www.lamborghinichat.com
Someone by the name of Allan probably knows the problem. He knows alot about lambos, especially diablos. Hes got an SV running nitrous that has i think 700hp on the bottle.

allanlambo is also one of the biggest assholes on the whole of the internet...although he had improved the last time I ran into him.

TimN88

12-03-2003, 01:38 AM

Hes an asshole, i have no problem saying that, but he might know what the problem is.
Hes not as bad as he was before. He actually hasnt started a flame war at ferrarichat.com in a few months!

SilverandColdS4

12-03-2003, 01:41 AM

i dont think you understood dude. Jabba got the problem fixed. that was an old topic. why did u think it was new when you had to actually go and look for this? i am confused :?

TimN88

12-03-2003, 04:03 AM

I didnt go back and look for it, it was right towards the top of the page. I guess this section doesnt get much traffic.

Jabba

12-03-2003, 01:27 PM

I can confirm it is now fixed and running better then ever....thanks for you interest anyway... 8) 8) 8)

jon_s

12-03-2003, 02:21 PM

Ahhhhhhhh hahahaha, double post :wink:

Glad that is is running well mate!

mhn3773

12-16-2003, 09:24 AM

geese jabba that poor cooling system =) i remember when the poor thing was puking out coolant...o yah why was that anyway? i dont remember if u ever got it fixed

good to hear its all up and running at over 100mph again though :lol: