308 QV Basket case Engine miss

NO PPI? My euro 83 is on Ferrariads for $39,900 and needs none of that.

Why would you buy a car that needs so much? I get the first time buyer thing, but someone could have looked at it for you from the board, or recommended a shop to do just a basic look over.

Far as the car: I bought a 90 Lotus Esprit earlier this year from the Mannheim auction for $10500. car had a weird idle. Replaced the plugs and wires, went to replacing fluids and filters.

Was told by a friend and fellow FChatter to stop screwing around and do a compression AND leak down test. His head mechanic did one, and the car had burned valves, and low compression on 2 of its 4 cylinders. I sold the car recently for parts to a guy in Florida, with full disclosure CHEAP.

Summary: 1) Do a compression and leak down test
2) I would look online for a nearby oil sample lab and sample the engine
oil following their instructions and have it tested.

If you need major engine or trans axle work you are screwed $$$ wise. These are tough cars to really hurt, and they can be "brought back" but its not cheap, easy or fun.

Good luck.

 

Welcome to the boards Kevin.

Lemon law is up so my advice is keep on doing what you're doing and it's not as hard to bring them back as you think. The Fchat community will help you figure it all out. You've done a lot of good things already and you're on your way. Kudos. You're just in over your head $wise but not tech wise. It's time for you to read all you can about the k-jet fuel injection on the car, replace the ignition wires and check the caps.

PM me if you want to talk via phone as I have an 85 that runs as it should.

 

Agree. Actually everything that you did already you would have probably done anyway even if you spent more to get into a "better" car, especially the fuel lines.

Lot's of help here, keep going.

 

+1 With Steve and Phil, Lots of people here willing to help you out (as I know first hand). Stay positive! When you get it figured out it feels SOOOO good!

 

+1

 

Just a shot on the dark... But how are the plug extenders? How about the plug wires?

 

Read read read. The miss is probably the wires, extenders or caps. The wires and extenders could be arcing or there may be cross talk happening. If you pulled the caps did you notice if the carbon brush was still there?

The warm up issue relates to the K-jet injection. That could be the warm up regulator, cold start injector or AAV. That's why you need to read these boards so you fully understand how all of these systems come together in sequence to make the car run well.

read this... http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/fuel_injection/k_jetronic.shtml

 

You are spot on with the extender idea.

It is a VERY VERY VERY common problem area and is just too easy not to check and fix.

So far my money is on those things

 

Seconding the guys above. It's well worth it to check the entire ignition from the caps all the way to the plugs. It doesn't take a lot of time to examine it all. If the cables look "iffy" or any corrosion is present, it's worth digging into the system a bit more. Extenders and such are cheap. I don't know my DigiPlex so well....yet....but it may be trying to correct the fault, giving you that impression of some kind of "reset" taking place when you pull over. I'd do a serious ignition system sweep, even if just to learn it. I gave mine a going over last weekend, just to get familiar with components. Cleaned them and the cables up as I went along, checking.

 

Kevin

The FI on your car tries to adjust the richness during the warm-up period - as stevel48 suggests, the regulation of this period can malfunction, but is fixable with some careful diagnosis.

However, you should Also start with some more basics. Replace the plugs, no matter how two of them look. Just put new ones in. They are cheap, and the ones in your car are a current unknown. They may not even be gapped properly So replace them.

Replace the plug wires as well. Search the tech threads for various options, from high cost direct replacements to some semi-do-it-yourself options. Old plug wires can cause all sorts of difficulties, from missing to arcing to hard starting.

You did not mention the timing belts, and checking the basic cam timing. A mistimed engine should run poorly all the time, but it is worth checking the timing. If you don't have trustworthy proof that the timing belts were changed in the last 3 years, and done properly, you should also put in new timing belts. If you are just changing the belts and tensioners, and not all the oil seals and such, it is not a terribly expensive undertaking, though it can take awhile to DIY. The "perfect" way is to confirm/set cam timing with a dial indicator, and to check and adjust the valve clearances at the same time - this is a lot more work than a simple tune up, probably is not the cause of your miss, but having new belts brings a good sense of safety. As well, the work needed to change those belts gives you a lot of chance to check and inspect things to know you are properly set up and ready for years of happy Ferrari driving.

For now, get the "I bought a new old car" basic tune up finished and check the warm up functions of your fuel injection: plugs, wires, caps, rotors, ALL filters, oil & coolant & gear lube, warm-up-regulator/cold start injector.

These cars are fabulous once sorted, and you will quickly love that you own a Ferrari once you get the car reliable and strong.

Welcome to owning an Italian mistress. It is a great thing!

Jonathan
Denver, CO
GT4 15302

 

I went with 7mm magnecor wires that are much less expensive and oem fit. The autozone Accel wires that are 8mm will require some modification and may or may not fit in the cap. If the wires or plug extenders are arcing you will see tiny burn holes through them. Like pin holes. If there is cross talk there is an EMF that can be measured with the right tool. Just replace the wires and extenders as part of good maintenance.

Superformance has caps for $100
http://www.superformance.co.uk/a-308/ignition.htm

 

That is one of the few things that we are all 100% S.O.L with. Nothing else is available but those $250 ones

 

Yeah, caps, rotors, and wires are not cheap... I bit the bullet and bought Kingsborne wire set for my carbureted car last summer. I also replaced what could have very well been original extenders. Relatively inexpensive... Besides, if you're already this far invested in making this thing work, why not keep your foot in he throttle?

 

Here you'll find a nice little writeup on using the popular Taylor 8mm wires on a 308.
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314617&highlight=wires

 

Kevin, I am in NY so let me know if I can help.

Which dealer did you buy the car from??

 

She's looks great. Once you get it sorted you'll have a nice one.

From the experience you've learned a lesson and learned to work on the car.

like others have said at least change the plugs. If you can change the crank sensors and have anything left of your fingers more than bloody stumps you'll be able to do it in a half an hour. Also run the car in pitch dark (outside) and look for cross talk .

Your prolly almost over the hump and one your way to enjoying your 308.

 

For what it's worth, I just got a nice price on a replacement set of NGK BP7ES:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XBGT8S/

 

Matt, do you use the non-resistor plugs with higher resistance wires?

 

No, IIRC 7mm is the wire size, and the caps are rebuildable only breaking one will kill it, so watch for 'off spec' rotors

Dave Helms in Colorado bought the last of the wire in a bulk spool, work with him on rebuilding your old ones.

I agree it sounds wire/extender/plug related.

Put all fresh plugs in, it solves rough running 80% of the time, then if not you keep looking.

Welcome and sorry to hear of this deal.....good attitude on your part to 'fix it, and live life".

 

This is number 3 dr tommy.

New owner, a total bill of 9k out the gate yet again coming once he hits a shop.

To the original poster, sorry about your troubles, hope you get it sorted....this nonsense from BS artists selling non functioning cars is sad.