The day started out great........ | FerrariChat

The day started out great........

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by branko, Mar 27, 2010.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 17, 2003
    3,710
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Full Name:
    Branko Medenica
    I gave the son of a friend of mine a ride in my 85' Euro 308 QV. After he enjoyed the ride, I left to get some gas and have some fun (my myself)on some twisty, back roads. Twenty minutes later, I pull up to a stop sign and the engine dies (that has not happened before). So I start the car and take off....only the engine is very sluggish and pulls away very slowly. It is a little better in second and third but this scenario repeats itself at every light or stop sign, the rest of the way home. Any ideas? Bad gas, loss of some cylinders, clogged fuel filter? Any help is appreciated.
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    25,036
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    Is it an unmodified euro (no Lambda, no O2 sensor) or has an aftermarket Lambda system been added during US importation (i.e., it has a Lambda ECU and an O2 sensor)?
     
  3. DGS

    DGS Six Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 27, 2003
    60,019
    MidTN
    Full Name:
    DGS
    Vac leak?
    Or ignition.

    Fuel or air intake issues get worse when you rev more. Ignition issues seem better at higher revs.
     
  4. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    I've gotten gas and had the same thing...water in the gas. Hope that's not your problem as it's a chore to get the old gas out.
     
  5. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 17, 2003
    3,710
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Full Name:
    Branko Medenica
    The O2 sensor was removed last year.
     
  6. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,149
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    Assuming your car has a frequency valve, is it buzzing as it should? This is an eerie similarity. The first time my 328 did that was just after buying some fuel. In my case it was the fused relay that powers the frequency valve dropping out every now and then. You can feel the valve vibrating when it is working. Eventually the relay quit altogether.
     
  7. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

    May 18, 2004
    10,406
    DITTO ---

    First thing I'd check is the frequency valve.
     
  8. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2003
    13,477
    Never home
    Full Name:
    Dr. Dumb Ass
    My first choice, had something similar happen last year, simple as finding which line came loose.
     
  9. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
    Full Name:
    Mr. Sideways
    Sun's out! Need a hand today before I start cranking out some work during the week?
     
  10. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 17, 2003
    3,710
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Full Name:
    Branko Medenica
    UPDATE;
    I tried to drive the car to the shop but it died on the road. So, I had to called a wrecker and have it towed in. They found out the distributor cap and rotors were all burned up. He was amazed the car still ran at all.
     
  11. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2003
    13,477
    Never home
    Full Name:
    Dr. Dumb Ass
    If it makes you feel better, I picked up a nail in the LR tire on the 308 on the way home tonight.
     
  12. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 17, 2003
    3,710
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Full Name:
    Branko Medenica
    Did you change it yourself?
     
  13. Fiat4Fun

    Fiat4Fun Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2008
    312
    Sunriver OR
    Full Name:
    Bob
    Branko,
    Just curious, how many miles on the car and how long has the cap and rotor been in there?
    I have not had my car die at a stop sign, but the last time my cap rotor were even looked at was at the cars 30k service.

    Just trying to get a idea of how often folks recommend checking the cap and rotor. On my other old cars, I replace them every couple of years, regardless of miles, but then again, those are only $25!

    Thanks,,
    Bob
     
  14. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 17, 2003
    3,710
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Full Name:
    Branko Medenica
    I think they are the original distributors and rotors that came with the car 51,000 miles ago. So, you have a ways to go.
     
  15. jonesdds

    jonesdds Formula 3

    Aug 31, 2006
    2,160
    SB,CA & Park City UT
    Full Name:
    Jeff
    Yep, mine were changed at 47k.
     
  16. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    17,913
    USA
    Watch out...there are some bad reproduction 308 rotors and caps that are known to prematurely fail. Oem caps and rotors should last a long time...at least 30k I would think.
     
  17. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 17, 2003
    3,710
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Full Name:
    Branko Medenica
    Thanks for the warning. I went with OEM caps and rotors.
     
  18. DGS

    DGS Six Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 27, 2003
    60,019
    MidTN
    Full Name:
    DGS
    You might want to toss a timing light on there, and see if the rotor/cap was the root cause or a symptom.
     
  19. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2003
    13,477
    Never home
    Full Name:
    Dr. Dumb Ass
    Found it when I got home. Fixed now.
     
  20. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 17, 2003
    3,710
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Full Name:
    Branko Medenica
    Updated update:
    I just picked up my car from the shop. And all I can say is, WOW! It's amazing what a new set of plugs, distributor caps, rotors and fuel filter can do for a 308 (as well as my wallet). I had not realized how much power I had lost over time. The beast is back!........ I know, I know, I'm calming down.
     
  21. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
    Full Name:
    Mr. Sideways
    Heh, heh, heeeeh... Countdown to the Beast running in Ferrari Festa!
     

Share This Page