new member, help! '83 308 GTS QV - slight noise in cam? | FerrariChat

new member, help! '83 308 GTS QV - slight noise in cam?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by ferrari_rich, Oct 1, 2006.

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  1. ferrari_rich

    ferrari_rich Karting

    Oct 1, 2006
    117
    Southampton, NY
    Full Name:
    Rich
    I'm a new member. Just got a '83 308 GTS QV - seems to have a slight noise in camshaft??? Is it safe to drive it to repair shop? It just had the timing belts done, could this be related?
     
  2. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 24, 2003
    52,573
    Goodyear, AZ
    Full Name:
    PeterS
    When in doubt, flatbed it to a mechanic or ask a mechanic to drop by your house to look at it. If you are a new customer and their are 2-3 F mechanics in your area, find one that will come to your house and give THAT mechanic ALL of your business.
     
  3. ria

    ria Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2003
    732
    ohio
    Full Name:
    phill
    did you change the cam belt bearings?
     
  4. ferrari_rich

    ferrari_rich Karting

    Oct 1, 2006
    117
    Southampton, NY
    Full Name:
    Rich
    No, just the belts. But it sounds as though the noise is from under the valve cover. Camshaft area. Also, is this quatro valve an "interference" motor.
     
  5. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 27, 2001
    5,516
    Duluth, MN
    Full Name:
    The Meister
    No offense, but if you/they went to all the trouble to get in, change the belts why not change the tensioner bearings while your in there? A "new" belt will be toast in a minute when an "old" bearing goes tits' up.

    Anyway, what does the noise sound like? Ticking, clanking, metalic, etc...

    I just had a "ticking" noise that I had never heard before. Sounded like it was under the cam cover as well. With some great advice hear it's turned out to be a plug wire or extension going bad.
     
  6. ferrari_rich

    ferrari_rich Karting

    Oct 1, 2006
    117
    Southampton, NY
    Full Name:
    Rich
    sounds to me like a bad bearing, maybe? It is very slight. Are there bearings at end of each camshaft?

    I also have a slight exhaust leak that needs to be addressed. I can't tell where it it is coming from, and only noticeable between 2000 and 3000 RPM, under pressure. Are leaks like this hard to get at. It's probably a gasket, maybe even as simple as tightening.
     
  7. ria

    ria Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2003
    732
    ohio
    Full Name:
    phill
    middle of timing belt. take a long screwdriver and pointed to the bearings the other end to your ear and listen .
     
  8. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Before you go too far check the exhaust emission air rails for pin hole leaks. These have a tendancy to rust out easily and will give you an exhaust leak with a slight ticking sound. These are a bear to replace so I patched mine with a hose clamp and a piece of aluminum strap for a temporary fix.
     
  9. ferrari_rich

    ferrari_rich Karting

    Oct 1, 2006
    117
    Southampton, NY
    Full Name:
    Rich
    Thanks for the advice.

    Question: Is this and interference motor? Will it crash valves if timing belt fails?

    Also, need good Ferrari mechanic on Long Island, New York. I have a line on a good exotic repair shop near me, but I would like to find someone had the experience with this car. Is there a listing somewhere?
     
  10. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
    Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 11, 2003
    2,389
    Frederick, Maryland
    Full Name:
    Brian Brown
    All Ferrari motors are interference motors. If the belt breaks, it will be very expensive.

    Brian
     
  11. ferrari_rich

    ferrari_rich Karting

    Oct 1, 2006
    117
    Southampton, NY
    Full Name:
    Rich
    What might the cost be of an engine rebuild?
     
  12. Perfusion

    Perfusion F1 Rookie

    Oct 16, 2004
    4,151
    Marietta, GA
    Full Name:
    Aaron
    Probably in the $10,000 range, though I'm not sure on exact dollar amounts for the QV motors. I suppose it all depends on how bad it is inside.
     
  13. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,830
    Cerritos, CA.
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    Mike
    Was it making noise BEFORE the belt was change? Or maybe its just a valve clearance issue.
     
  14. ferrari_rich

    ferrari_rich Karting

    Oct 1, 2006
    117
    Southampton, NY
    Full Name:
    Rich
    the car has about 300 miles since belt change. I did not notice the sound until now. But that's not to say that it hasn't always been there. I'm not sure. It is a VERY slight noise, not heard in the cockpit, only with lid opened.

    also, where is the "exhaust emision air rail" (mentioned earlier) located, can't find mention of it in the manual. because that sounds like it could be the problem of exhaust leak. Though slight as it is, it disrupts the music that the sound of this thing makes. Awesome!

    Thanks
     
  15. Mantinger

    Mantinger Karting

    Jul 30, 2004
    145
    Netherlands, Drenthe
    Full Name:
    H
    Maybe it is a broken valve-spring. The valve wil still be operated by the inner spring. The broken spring however produces a slight rattling noise.
    You have to remove valve-covers to investigate the springs. Use a mirror and the broken spring wil be found.
    Hopely this is not the case. Repair is possible without removing the head.
     
  16. jimangle

    jimangle F1 Rookie

    Nov 5, 2003
    2,506
    Haverford
    Full Name:
    James
    Are you sure it isn't your A/C compressor?
     
  17. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Exhaust rail is located on each exhaust manifold. Four tubes per bank connect it to the manifold. It is silver in color and about 3/4" wide. The tube then comnnects to the left of the engine into the emission pump and other plumbing.
     
  18. deprince3

    deprince3 Rookie

    Jul 2, 2004
    6
    Medford, New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Dan DePrince
    I have a 1985 gts qv, my ferrari mechanic is awesome, I am probably about 2 hours away (NJ 15 mins from Philadelphia), that may be too far for you to use them, but if you want I will ask the guys who they know and like in your area by Long Island. There name is Palmas Automotive and they specialize in early model ferraris. They have done a great job for me at a very reasonable prices and they offer towing anytime I need it. Let me know.
     

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