Help.... big time | FerrariChat

Help.... big time

Discussion in '308/328' started by Slvrtngfox, Oct 12, 2011.

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  1. Slvrtngfox

    Slvrtngfox Rookie

    Oct 12, 2011
    5
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #1 Slvrtngfox, Oct 12, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2011
    I may need to find a new mechanic, but maybe you guys can help. 1985 308 gtsi with only 21000 miles has been running ok for the last few years but have noticed not perfect. I took it in to a referred mechanic that does restorations in CT for an electrical switch change and while it was there they convinced me to look over the car and see what it needed for perfection. This is where I should have called it a day. Electrical done and fine, they said only 7 cyl firing and need a wire, one cap and rotor and some minor adjustments. After a hefty bill that I was not too happy about the car ran like a champ. I was truly happy. That was short lived. Inside of 100 miles of driving and 60 of that was back to the mechanic, I had stopped to pick up some things from the store. When I started the car it was as if it was running on 4 cylinders at best. It was so bad, I thought someone stuck a banana in my tail pipe just like the movie. I babied it to my buddies house until they could come to flat bed it to the shop. After checking timing, fuel pressures, pulled my cats to see if there was a clog, I had them empty the cats since they were more than half way there. They thought originally bad fuel but finally determined it was a fuel pump. Now, I am not a pro, but I remember electric fuel pumps work or don't work. Not much in between. And yes they checked fuel pressure !! 1000 bucks later, new pump and umteen hours of diagnostics it runs, but "fat" as I would call it. No get up and go. More like an old horse not a thoroughbred. Even back fires sometimes lightly. Back in the shop, now come to discover that the fuel distributor is not the right one? black top not silver as they say it is from a 328 not 308. How did it run before and even after the tune up ran like a champ? Not sounding Kosher if you ask me. The well is running dry and seriously considering having another mechanic look at it. Send me your thoughts Please.
     
  2. JoeZaff

    JoeZaff F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Aug 5, 2007
    5,459
    Philly suburbs
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Where are you located?
     
  3. Slvrtngfox

    Slvrtngfox Rookie

    Oct 12, 2011
    5
    Full Name:
    Steve
  4. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,406
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    Sounds like you have a crank sensor playing out at a very inopportune time.

    Plug wires (come in sets of four by side), cap and rotor sound legit, except caps are repairable on the older cars, not sure on injected ones???

    Fuel pump....well it's pretty old by now. There's tons of info here on them as the OEM pump is not available so bone up on what to do!

    Tons of experts here ( not me!) so glad you found us to check in!!!
    We'll get it all sorted.
     
  5. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,406
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    The new fuels are really playing heck with rubber parts, probably what killed your pump....maybe you have had some system contamination, and rubber get into your injectors??

    You may need to pull and clean/test them, if its cheaper than just ordering a new set of 8?
     
  6. barcheta

    barcheta F1 Rookie

    Nov 15, 2003
    3,738
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    Jim
    Needs more troubleshooting.... could be several different things. Seems like a bum deal though that it wasn't properly diagnosed for that sort of money.

    Common ailments are the crank sensors, O2 protection relay and grounds on the magneti marelli ignitions boxes in the trunk. Also want to look at the ignition coils.
     
  7. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
    11,278
    CT
    Full Name:
    John Kreskovsky
    Black is correct for an 85 Qv.
     
  8. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,932
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    +1 if yours is a US version 308QV; if an '85 euro 308QV (and "converted" to US) it might have either.

    '84-'85 US 308 and US 328 both use K-Jet with Lambda CIS injection. Having a CIS fuel pump problem cause a low power symptom seems unlikely to me also (but not impossible).

    You don't have to name names, but is this a shop that claims to know F well?
     
  9. JoeZaff

    JoeZaff F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Aug 5, 2007
    5,459
    Philly suburbs
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Given your location and the fact that you referred to a Ferrari mechanic that does restorative work, I am going to assume you took the car to the Black Horse Garage in Bridgeport Connecticut. If you did, I am really troubled to hear of your problems. They have a very good reputation and do some pretty impressive work. However, it has been years since I have used them for anything, so things can certainly change. If this is not the shop you took your car too, I would probably recommend them if you are looking for someone very local to you.

    That being said, there are much better shops IMHO, but they are going to require you to travel a bit.

    The closest top drawer mechanic that I can think of close to you, would be Classic Coach Repair in Elizabeth New Jersey.

    Another mechanic you may want to consider would be Fchat sponsor Wil de Groot's Exoticars USA in Milford, NJ. I have no personal experience with them whatsoever, but have been impressed with the limited work I have seen from their shop.

    Good luck!
     
  10. Fave

    Fave F1 Rookie

    Aug 12, 2010
    4,157
    Tarana
    Full Name:
    L. Ike Hunt
    Maybe its time to get a second opinion from another shop, and a first opinion from a lawyer.

    A banana in a tailpipe would be a good thing, you would have your answer. It's the straightened bananas you need to watch out for.
     
  11. Rock

    Rock Formula 3

    Nov 9, 2003
    1,652
    Toronto, Canada
    Full Name:
    Rocco
    pm me I have a contact in ct that can help. I think I know what is wrong with your car.
     
  12. Formula Uno

    Formula Uno F1 Veteran

    Oct 8, 2008
    6,659
    New York City
    You live very close to the best there is!

    Bill Pollard of Sport Auto in Gaylordsville, CT. 860-350-1515

    He is honest and won't rip you off either!

    Tell him Frank from Yonkers sent you.
     
  13. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Feb 24, 2002
    5,322
    Ventura, California
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    Robert Garven
  14. jimangle

    jimangle F1 Rookie

    Nov 5, 2003
    2,506
    Haverford
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    James
    Get a new mechanic, this place is bleeding you with their incompetence. They clearly dont have a clue as to what they are doing.

    Jim
     
  15. climb

    climb F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2006
    4,866
    Atlantic Beach Fl
    Full Name:
    Stuart K. Hicks
    Plus one (or is it two now?) on the crank sensor. Like $100 and leave your fingers bloody stumps when your done getting your hand in and out several times but it's a good hurt.
     
  16. GrayTA

    GrayTA F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 25, 2006
    15,130
    Deep South
    Full Name:
    PDG
    Looks like you are getting lots of GOOD suggestions from some of FChats most knowlegable minds!!!

    Great responses guys!!!


    Thats why I love this place!!!!!





    PDG
     
  17. Specracer 85

    Specracer 85 Rookie

    Oct 15, 2010
    9
    St Petersburg, FL
    Full Name:
    Jim Ellinger
    If you want to go North, John Tirrell at IFS (Independent Ferrari Service) in southeastern Mass can fix it. From over 10 years of working on my 328, I've found him honest, and he'll fix it right. ifsferrari.com
     
  18. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
    11,278
    CT
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    John Kreskovsky
    #18 johnk..., Oct 13, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2011
    As I understand it, John and Bill Pollard went to "Ferrari School" together. Had my 30k (and more) done by Bill, September of last year. Great guy and very knowledgeable. Great staff too. Does lots of vintage work.

    Highly recommended.
     
  19. JoeZaff

    JoeZaff F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Aug 5, 2007
    5,459
    Philly suburbs
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Great suggestion from what I have been told. Oops. I can't believe I forgot him!
     
  20. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
    5,401
    Ahwatukee, AZ
    It's not impossible for these cars to have series of problems. Sometimes past fixes are band aids for other problems and they can be layered on making a big project for a tech looking to put a car right. However it sounds like you are right to look for a second opinion at this time. Good luck with the car. Did you ever own the car where it really ran perfectly?
     
  21. Slvrtngfox

    Slvrtngfox Rookie

    Oct 12, 2011
    5
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #21 Slvrtngfox, Oct 13, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2011
    Thank you all for the responses. Holy Cow !!!! You guys just made me a fan of this group. Will have to turn on more guys here. Now for the car. I do not mind mentioning names and yes it is Black horse. They came recommended to me from a friend who has a 355. They are very nice people and for the most part I think reasonable would be a fair statement. My issue is that at this point I am not a priority and I guess that is what is most disconcerting. They do some amazing restoration work. I just think that I need a more qualified doctor ( heart specialist ) if you will to dig in with out changing all the parts and guessing. They posted this on the net for me on video to see what there assessment is.

    http://www.youtube.com/user/RepairOrders#p/u/7/XO5xzNAjV-w

    Called and found a replacement part, for $900 but I don't think this is the problem as many of you have stated in your opinions. I am mechanically inclined as I have worked on cars, boats and even planes. I guess I should have asked all of you first. Ferrari's are new to me especially when it gets this extensive. Need the professional. I will make some calls but you guys can see the video and offer your opinions.
    Thanks again and keep them coming.
    Also not sure how to PM as I am new to the site but will try that later today for those to contact. Greatly appreciated.
     
  22. JoeZaff

    JoeZaff F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Aug 5, 2007
    5,459
    Philly suburbs
    Full Name:
    Joe
    +100. It also can't hurt to get the second opinion of a well respected mechanic.


    When it comes to these cars, it is so important to have a positive working relationship with your mechanic, if, rightly or wrongly, you no longer trust him, its time to move on IMHO.
     
  23. Formula Uno

    Formula Uno F1 Veteran

    Oct 8, 2008
    6,659
    New York City
    Fox,

    With Bill you will be his priority, since he will treat you the same as he treats his oldest customer. Sport Auto is not your typical client relationship...once you get to know Bill you will never look elsewhere.

    Bill always does the "right thing" by me and I will never go anywhere else. He works with another master mechanic named Shaun. I can't speak highly enough about them.

    I am treated as a friend by them both and believe me when I tell you that I am not a big spender there with my 308!
     
  24. jimangle

    jimangle F1 Rookie

    Nov 5, 2003
    2,506
    Haverford
    Full Name:
    James
    So if you have this part replaced and it doesn't fix the problem, what is going to be their next guess? If you are not a priority and they are charging you a few grand to throw parts at your car, it's time for a second opinion.

    Jim
     
  25. DWPC

    DWPC Formula Junior

    Mar 10, 2011
    733
    Sedona AZ
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    The '85 308 CIS is virtually identical to the early 328s; K-Jetronic w/Lambda, and has a black fuel distributor. That he doesn't appear know this is a red flag. He's probably using the wrong test criteria too; probably for the pre-84 non-Lambda or Euro QVs. And a proper fuel pressure test (stone cold and warm) would have shown whether the (warm up) regulator is functioning. Ask him for the results. I hate to be suspicious but it appears he's getting on-the-job training on your engine, and using trial and error instead of real diagnosis.
     

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