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Brian stewart (Eurocardoc)
Junior Member
Username: Eurocardoc

Post Number: 232
Registered: 11-2001
Posted on Monday, March 25, 2002 - 7:18 pm:   

Part charge the a/c then look for leak inside around the vents, you can stick the detector almost to the evaporator. I have had two TRs with leaking evaporators, not cheap to fix.
Madferraristi (Madferraristi)
New member
Username: Madferraristi

Post Number: 15
Registered: 6-2001
Posted on Monday, March 25, 2002 - 1:23 am:   

If anybody need seat belt retractors, I have a set from a '92 that I will sell.
Marcus Adolfsson (Marcusadolfsson)
New member
Username: Marcusadolfsson

Post Number: 30
Registered: 10-2001
Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 11:41 am:   

My A/C stopped cooling, and the mechanic says it is due to a leak (pressure?) in the system. After you charge it, it works for a couple of hours and then nothing. He tracked all the easily accessible values and tubes in the engine compartment and upfront, but no luck so far. Any ideas where common leaks might be?

Oh, another thing. When you do your major service make sure that the mechanic uses the older style seals (not the new thin O-rings) between the engine block and the plate that holds the spark plugs connectors. Ferrari sent my mechanic the "new improved" ones; they started leaking oil within 10 minutes of starting the engine (after mounting the engine back in the car,aaaaaah!).

He has now made sure they are sending the older wider seales.
Brian stewart (Eurocardoc)
Junior Member
Username: Eurocardoc

Post Number: 220
Registered: 11-2001
Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 5:52 am:   

Check the A/C carefully, it is expensive to fix if the evaporator leaks.
DONALD GRIESDALE (Griesdale)
New member
Username: Griesdale

Post Number: 27
Registered: 11-2001
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 11:34 pm:   

Ralph. Arnoldo is "right on!" IMHO you woun't find a more enjoyable F-car to drive IF you can find the right one ie one with full history and service records. I bought mine 3 years ago ( 91 TR ) with about 18000 mi. on it and now it has 24000 mi. on the OD. The 15K service had been done by the previous owner. The only major problem that I have had was to replace the fuse box one year ago when the cooling fans suddenly stopped working-not a good thing! This cost me about $1000 Canadian for the new fuse box.( about U.S. $ 1.99 ) ( joke ).
I keep a separate bank account for service costs and I plan to do the 30K service in about 3 years.
I change the oil, filter, and hydraulic fluids every 12 months. I recently put on new rubber at 22000 mi.(Goodyear Eagle Steel).
The front spoiler is easily touched up with some satin finish black spray paint but always approach a speed bump at a slow angle.
When I start the car up, I always idle it for 5 minutes before driving off until the water temp. registers and even then, never go above 3500 rpm in any gear for 10-15 min. until the oil temp begins to register.
Use the clutch only as a quick "in and out" to the next gear up and use the brakes to come to a stop and don't routinely gear down when coming to a stop. I think that these are good guidelines for all Ferraris!
Fortunately, my car does not have the silly automatic seat belt retractors that you Yanks seem to be inflicted with!
I do use my local Ferrari dealer for all service (Brian Jessel Ferrari) as I've nothing but a good experience. I have no mechanical skills and am mindful that Luigi Chinetti once said: " the only problem with Ferraris are the owners with the gold handled screwdrivers."
If you don't have a TR as yet, I highly reccommend them if you can find the right car. A 360 Modena is still only a V8! At our local FCA events in B.C. and Wash State there may be a lot of 308s. 348s, 355s, 360s, 550s, 456s, etc. present but it is still the TRs and 512TRs that attract the most attention. No F40s seen as yet but I hope to visit Tim in Scottsdale when I'm there in May and after that my priorities might change!!! I'll post a pic of the "garage queen" on my profile as soon as I can learn to use my digital camera and laptop! Don.
Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
New member
Username: Ralfabco

Post Number: 5
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 11:11 pm:   

Oh I forgot. What about that other awesome car?
All take great American Cars for $500.00.

What about the AMC Pacer?

Thanks to all the posters for your technical advice. I enjoyed reading your information.
Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
New member
Username: Ralfabco

Post Number: 4
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 11:08 pm:   

To Tim N. Wow that was great! I really busted
out laughing. My sisters friend in college in the
70's had one of those cars. Was'nt those little
gremlins so cute before they got in the water!

I got to hand it to you. That was great.

Thanks Ralph
Scott Grossman (Sngsmgaolcom)
New member
Username: Sngsmgaolcom

Post Number: 12
Registered: 2-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 9:17 pm:   

Only thing I can add, is that the electrical system is a little optomistic on how much amperage you can push through 1 pin on the fuse board. Mine had the fuse board replaced once, but the ultimate fix was adding a relay and running seperate circuits for the Cooling Fans, and Fuel Pumps.

I've had mine for just over a month now, and I really enjoy it. I just finished R&R the spoiler and now the front end looks great.

HTH
Scott
Tim N (Timn88)
Member
Username: Timn88

Post Number: 553
Registered: 6-2001
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 9:12 pm:   

I figured it was. I couldnt resist doing that, if i didnt someone else definately would have. This board is full of comedians.
Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
New member
Username: Wsawyer

Post Number: 41
Registered: 2-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 8:47 pm:   

It was definitely a joke. I love a guy with a good sense of humor.
Tim N (Timn88)
Member
Username: Timn88

Post Number: 551
Registered: 6-2001
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 8:26 pm:   

Was that meant as an insult or a joke?
Homework? hell no, its 2nd semester, im taking it easy. It did take a long time too BTW, i had to learn how to post pictures. Im glad someone thought it was funny though.
Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
New member
Username: Wsawyer

Post Number: 39
Registered: 2-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 8:21 pm:   

LOL

Now there's a guy with too much time on his hands! Don't you have any homework tonight?
Tim N (Timn88)
Member
Username: Timn88

Post Number: 549
Registered: 6-2001
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 8:16 pm:   

I can think of two gremlins you really want to be careful of. If these are in your car you are looking at, just say no and walk away, they are more trouble than they are worth.
C:\My Documents\My Pictures\gizmo.gif
C:\My Documents\My Pictures\blue%2073.gif
Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
Member
Username: Caribe

Post Number: 264
Registered: 2-2001
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 4:48 pm:   

Yes, the odometer is very easy to disconnect. Good records that show mileage and time would probably be the best way to estimate tampering with the speedometer. A good mechanic can probaly also tell if the mileage reflects the condition of the car, but again all this is speculation and it probably all comes down to your own gut feeling about the seller and car. Previous owners might be able to help on this issue, as well as carfax, but don't count on it.

Clutches I think are not an issue that depends so much on the car as it does on the driver's habits. Higher performance car's clutches tend to last less anyway, but I have seen cars into the 40K mile range with the original clutch. Mine is approaching 20K miles and still feels pretty good although the pedal release point is a little high, but this can also be adjusted.

Differentials, yes, I know of several TRs that had their differential replaced for 512TR differentials. I also know that some of those cars have been abused a little (like on the track). Nevertheless, some of them had high mileage anyway so draw your own conclusions.

The leather on the TR seems to be more fragile than on other cars that I have owned. However, that only means that you have to be more careful with it. You have to condition and protect it more often than on other cars. Mine still looks great, but I am always on top of it.

As far as rust, I have only seen one TR that had rust. It was at the bottom of the passenger side door, just below the bottom strake. Remember that the car body is mostly aluminum, hence rust should only be an issue with the doors and roof which are steel. After washing I always make sure that no water is left around the strakes anywhere. I blow air into the spots I cannot easily reach with the chamois.

Seat belt retractors also fail on most TRs, but from what I have seen, it is not a big deal and most owners live with it that way (one of mine stopped working about a month ago).

I would stay away from Knock-off wheels if I were you, they seem to demand a little more attention and there is always the posibility that they might come off on the road.

Spoilers tend to suffer quite a bit, but that is probably the nature of a sportscar more than a flaw of a car itself. They are pricey to replace, but not to repair and repaint if they have minor damage. Most people repaint theirs every few years since it is hard to always prevent it from rubbing somewhere.

Timing belts are a big issue since engine removal seems to be the only way to do the job (a $4K to $6K job depending where you go and what is done to it).

Besides that I would say that from experience, TRs are probably one of the toughest and most reliable Ferraris you will find out there. They are very enjoyable and rewarding machines. the only thing that they demand is love from its owners, but once you have own one, you would know how easy that is. Good luck!
Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
New member
Username: Ralfabco

Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 4:09 pm:   

What are the bad things to look for when buying a
used Testarossa.

I have heard of the following items to look for:

its easy to disconnect the odometer.
Fuse box
Wheels can come off (early model)
Differential
Clutch
Leather interior (fragile).

What other items should I look for?
If there is any (rust), where does it concentrate?
Thank You for your help.

Sincerely
Ralph

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