problems with the Testarossa....need a little help please

Hows it going Guys,

Im new to this forum, and im in need of a little help. We have a 1988 Testarossa with 10,000 miles on it. We went to start up the car on saturday and it started, but not all cylinders were firing (about half power). We took it out hoping that the problem would work it self out (it's done this before, but never to this extent). After Driving for a few minutes we stoped and one of the Catalytinc converters was burning up (red hot). When driving the car it still would not recieve full power, and momentarily the clutch went dead (dropped to the floor). Now the car starts but it makes a hissing sound and, again, only recieves partial power.

Do any of you guys have an idea what could be causing these things to occur.

-also i should mention we have had the car since 1998 and when we got the car it had around 7000 miles on it.

thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it.

-Geoff

 

Hutch,

thanks alot for pointing me in the right direction. Im going to look into trying out these solutions. I know exactly what you are talking about with regards to the cats. I Have a Toyota Supra that has a straight pipe (no cats) which makes for greater power, and less headaches.

As far as maintenance goes, we have not done a major maintenance since purchasing the car (perhaps it is time for that).

also I dont know that the timing belts have ever been replaced, so that may be in order.


thanks again for the help,
Geoff

 

Im thinking your right. It looks like the penalty for not doing it is pretty bad.
Also thanks for the link, i appreciate it.

 

Thanks NH Rossa,
I really appreciate both you and Hutch giving some quick and reasonable responses. I feel alot better knowing that it is probably not a major problem which has occurred.

 

Wow,

i have to say this is my first time on this forum (i just discovered it today searching for answers to my problem), and you guys are by far the most helpful car forum ive been part of.

91tr: thanks for confirming the cat issue, and im glad that the clutch could be related to this problem as well. Also im going to definately check to see if i can find out why the fuel isnt being ignited correctly.

NH Rossa: Yeah, I know exactly what you are saying about wanting to cry, we thought something was seriously wrong when the car started acting as it did. I wasnt real knowledgeable about what exactly would occur if the belts were to go, and was fearing that.

thanks again guys
Geoff

 

Guys thanks again for all the help, I was able to sleep a little easier last night due to the diagnosis you guys gave (Clogged Cats). My question now is, assuming its the cats, would you guys purchase new cats from Ferrari, Hollow out the current ones, or just put a spraight pipe (test pipe) in place of the cats.

what would be the down side of each of these options (other then emissions), and where would I purchase a straight pipe from.

thanks again guys for all the help.

-Geoff

 

Bruce we live in Maryland. Ussually at emissions when they see the car they are pretty understanding that it is rarely driven. They actually don't even put it on the rollers. Im thinking that emmissions shouldnt be a problem, however, hollowing out the cats and bolting up a Tubi exhaust may infact sound like a better way to go if it will remain emmissions legal.

Hutch and 91tr, were both extremely helpful (as was everyone else who responded) . Everything they said makes perfect sense, and it is really a great asset to the enitre community to have individuals like this.

thanks again,
Geoff