308 no go

Is it turning over or is it totally dead? If its turning over and just not starting could be just wet wires/ distributors. Spray some WD40 on the wires and caps let it sit for 30 minutes and see if that works.

 

Did you wash the engine and/or use any solvent on it? If so, you may have gotten some on a sensor . If you didn't wash the engine, check to see where any water seeped into the engine compartment through the deck grills. Since you don't seem to be getting spark to any cylinder, you may have doused the coils/distributers. Let us know what you find. good luck.

 

If it "cranks" over OK, the usual next step is to determine if the coils/plugs are firing or not during cranking. That helps make the first decision about where to start looking -- ignition system or injection system.

 

Shortly after I bought my 308 I drove it out of the driveway and it just died. Would crank like mad but no go. It started with some starting fluid directly into the plenum...which meant it wasn't getting any fuel. Turns out the Fuel pump died on the way out the drive.
Spay some starting fluid in the plenum... if it starts your not getting fuel. If it still doesn't start then look more towards the ignition side coils/wires.
Also check you didn't blow the fuse for the fuel pump too. Good luck

 

While it may be totally unrelated, my car did this a bit after I washed it as well a few years ago. It was the #$%^& Marelli ignition (again) and ended up with a coil replacement (for the third time*).

If it's doing nothing - you've lost both cylinder banks as it will start run fine on one 4 cylinder side. It would be odd to lose both coils simultaneously, but possible I guess. As yours is a Digiplex, you also have two ignition ECUs, also odd to lose both at the same time.

Would check for a spark (both sides!)with a timing light or something

If you have spark on both sides, and you vigourously sprayed water up in the wheelwell and rear bottom of car while washing, would look at the fuel pump connections and dry it off (after checking the fuses - old Mondial habit - as you may have simply blown a fuel or ignition fuse from a temp short). For all the engineering genius in the engine, Ferrari electrical connections are pure crap.

Well, we're all with you in spirit!
Good luck
rt

*why I have a Norwood/Mallory/MSD single distributor now

 

I would take the distributor caps off and check them for moisture. It doesnt take much water to short them out, and it doesnt take much shorting inside the caps to leave carbon tracks that could destroy them. Ive had many cars over the years get wet caps and knock out the spark. I wouldnt even check anywhere else until I was absolutely sure the caps and wires are dry and clean inside. And inside the disributor as well, as moisture can really hang on inside there.
If they are wet, blow them out with air if you can, (watch that little center button inside the cap you dont blow it away) and possibly some alcohol and more air to remove all the moisture you can. Then go through your wires and sparkplug boots, ends, extensions, and the tubes, make sure its all dry. Hopefully that will solve your problem, and if not, youll be many steps farther ahead.
From the looks of my 308 with the twin distributors, its not a very waterproof system and I think a good dousing would knock it out. Although, I think the rubber boots over the distributors would keep them dry if they are good and installed correctly, but the sparkplug ends look like more of a problem, such as moisture down inside the tubes.

 

Check the wire at the coils, not the HT leads. there was a smal green wire came off on mine and I had the same problem.

 

Charles
Have them turn it on and listen. Should hear the distinct whirl of the fuel pump. If not, have them change the fuse first. I know it is basic, but, IME, the basics usually cause the problems and this one is a 5 minute job. FYI, in May as I exited the track at Road America the throttle was sticking open at part throttle. Pulled the air cleaner, lubed the carb return springs, checked the movement. Put it back together. Wouldn't start. For no apparent reason(?) the fuel pump fuse quit at the same time.
Philip

 

I'd suggest starting with the fuel pump fuse first as well. Check for tight contact, clean contact, and condition of fuse.

Had my 308 give me a fit trying to crank once. She'd turn over just fine, but no ignition. First thing I did was reach over and drop the panel cover and check the fuse. It was fine, so I rotated it in place and made sure the end clips were tight with good contact. Turned the key again, and she fired right up. Haven't had a problem since.

 

I didn't think you could flood an injected car!

Glad for you it wasn't an expensive repair.

 

No me neither. I had a starting problem with my Mondial. I suggested flooding and was told by a Ferrari mechanic "You can't flood an injection". When thinking about it I agree with this theory on modern electronic FI, but on my Mondial I believe it is more mechanically based ??? which may behave like carburettors ??

 

After reading thru the posts, I am inclined to think that your problem was electrical (wet coils or caps, does not take much). So when turning the engine over fuel will be pumped into the cylinders no spark, so soaking the plugs ! I guess that the electrics have had a bit of time to dry out and some fuel evaporated while waiting for the truck and the influx of alot of air when your garage floored the pedal did the trick. Did it run a bit rough when it started ?

 

Phil, I guess it is safe to say that you can flood a fuel injection system if there is a problem elsewhere. Normally the fuel is pumped in first.. compression stroke then ignition. However if something else prevents a spark then the fuel still exists un-ignited. The more you try to start it the wetter it gets. That makes good sense and do not know why I could not see that. Perhaps a mechanic blinded my reasoning!!