F355 PPI results | FerrariChat

F355 PPI results

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by EK3R, Apr 14, 2004.

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  1. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    Hi Guys,

    Well I had the results from the PPI on the 355B I was looking at - can you guys give your thoughts as to whether it might be a go-er, or walk / run away..

    The car is a '95 UK spec right hand drive F355B with 25k miles on the clock, and full main dealer servvice history. Cam belt service due now.

    A few cosmetic bits and pieces, such as window quadrents (the black metal triangle bit on the window by the edge of the door) corroding,
    butress corrosion,
    both windows rattling (needs something tightening up?),
    couple of wheel centres cracked,
    front luggage compartment carpet a bit shabby.

    Minor mechanical bits:

    Alternator needs a modified earth (?),
    has the early steering power fluid reservoir which leaks, needs to be updated, rear suspension bushes partially perished, will need replacing
    parking lights don't work

    The serious bits:

    Both cam covers / poss. seals leaking (would be done during cam belt service??),
    possible oil leak from gearbox, although hard to tell, might have just been overfilled with oil,
    clutch 40% worn, possible bad release bearing (although the release bearing was already replaced in Jan this year),
    new brake pads and discs needed all round,
    corrosion to the rear lower quarter panel (not huge amount).

    Compression tests came back:

    (1) 140 (2) 138 (3) 142 (4) 140 (5) 139 (6) 141 (7) 140 (8) 142

    The mechanic said in his view this was average (normal) condition for the age of car, he liked the way it drove, and said he liked it mechanically, but it needs some money spent on it to bring up to spec. Including the cambelt service, maybe £4.5k or slightly more.

    As he said, there really is not a lot out there at the moment in terms or right hand drive cars, and I don't really want a left hand drive, so do I wait, or does this sound like it might be a possibilty?

    Had agreed a purchase price of £44k

    opinions please!

    Many thanks
    Eric
     
  2. F-passione

    F-passione Karting

    Mar 31, 2004
    173
    Orange County, CA
    Based on what you now know is that price good? If it's not and even if it is it may make sense to get the guy down a bit more. Some of the more technical people on here will be able to tell you more but on the surface it sounds like the price may be high.
     
  3. wfo900

    wfo900 Formula Junior

    Aug 19, 2003
    530
    Annapolis
    Full Name:
    Rich C
    I think it sounds like a lot of money although I do not know what kind of premium UK specific cars command
     
  4. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    To give an idea, he said as a trader, if he were to buy the car for his stock, he would look at paying roughly £38k for the car.

    As a comparison of the kind of premium for a right hand drive, you could buy a 1998 left hand drive car for roughly £44k.

    Thanks
    Eric
     
  5. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 23, 2002
    14,372
    S W London
    Full Name:
    Tony H
    Eric,
    I think the rust is fairly common on GTB, there are quite a few references in the archives about it. The minor stuff sounds fairly cosmetic and shouldn't be too expensive. The major stuff is a different matter. Is the car being sold privately? If so, there sounds a lot of room to move on price, ie £4k. If it's a trader, get him to get the work done and bid him £41 ish k .
    Would you buy the car for asking price if it was perfect?
     
  6. BWS550

    BWS550 Wants to be a mod

    Apr 1, 2002
    8,933
    NEW JERSEY
    Full Name:
    BRUCE WELLINGTON

    ERIC

    THE PPI ON THE COMPRESSION LOOKS LOW

    SHOULD BE ABOUT 160 PSI OR SO ACROSS THE BOARD!!!!!!

    WAS THERE A LEAK DOWN TEST PERFORMED???

    BRUCE
     
  7. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    Tony, it is a private sale - the asking price was originally £47k, but I agreed £44k in lieu of the fact it needed a cambelt service. If the car was perfect, and needed nothing doing to it, I guess I would go to the asking price - but at this rate its a £48 - 49k car. With no warranty.

    Problem is there isn't a lot out there if you want a right hand drive car.

    I don't think the seller will shift anymore on the price.

    Cheers
    Eric
     
  8. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    Bruce, would you expect 160 psi on a car this old, or would those be the sort of figures on a newish engine??

    There was no leak down test, I probably sound quite ignorant here - but what is a leak down test?!?!?

    Thanks
    Eric


     
  9. BWS550

    BWS550 Wants to be a mod

    Apr 1, 2002
    8,933
    NEW JERSEY
    Full Name:
    BRUCE WELLINGTON

    ERIC, 95 OLD?? NOT A CHANCE..

    I BOUGHT MY 88 TR 2 YEARS AGO AND REGISTERED 160 TO 168 ACROSS THE BOARD.PSI IN THE COMPRESSION TEST.

    IF THE ENGINE IS NOT SOUND, OR NOT UP TO PAR.....WALK AWAY...

    GOOD LUCK,

    BRUCE
     
  10. jakermc

    jakermc Formula 3
    Owner

    Jan 17, 2004
    1,792
    Palm Beach, FL
    Full Name:
    Rob
    Those compression numbers look VERY low. I had my '98 355 tested at FoA before taking delivery and 7 of the 8 cylinders were between 180 and 200. The remaining cylinder came in at 160 or so and the diagnosis was new valve guides. Run away .....
     
  11. BWS550

    BWS550 Wants to be a mod

    Apr 1, 2002
    8,933
    NEW JERSEY
    Full Name:
    BRUCE WELLINGTON
    I AGREE WITH ROB, DONT WALK, RUN

    YOU WILL HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS LATER, YOU DONT WANT THAT

    CONTINUE YOUR SEARCH.......

    BRUCE
     
  12. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    25,035
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    I find it a little strange that all the cylinders would be so far down on the compression test but so near equal (like a gauge calibration issue? or maybe a test methodology error -- e.g., intake not fully open?).

    I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that all is OK (and buying a used 355 has to be one of the biggest cr*pshoots on the planet ;)), but I don't like any test when the result don't match the expected ballpark...
     
  13. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    OK, I just spoke to the mechanic who carried out the test - he said the tests they carry out are at idle - and this figure is very good - you would get a much higher figure if the test is carried out at high rpms.

    Eric
     
  14. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    Just read the link that Bruce posted me re leak down tests / compression tests and now I am confused - compression tests are carried out without the engine running right? So why did the garage tell me they were carried out at idle... hmmmm. They are closed now so I can't ring them until tomorrow to find out whats going in. Maybe I mis-understood what they were saying to me.

    Eric
     
  15. FL 355

    FL 355 Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2002
    1,665
    Ft Laud
    Full Name:
    Frank Lipinski
    Eric -

    To save time, a leak down will tell you if the car has valve guide issues.

    Sounds like the car has not been taken care of very well and the small items will add up to a lot of money.

    I would walk away from it - but it depends on how "correct" you want to make the car, how much money you are willing to spend to make it correct and how much time you have.
     
  16. MarkCollins

    MarkCollins F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jul 2, 2002
    3,202
    South England
    Full Name:
    Mark Collins
    Eric

    Talacrest have a later car in stock for not much more money in reality (£52k) and all belts etc have been done, might be worth a look and a haggle.

    I'd agree with FL 355 it doesn't seem a very cared for car, btw when they did my cam seals/ belts they found a load of other stuff like pipes worn etc in hte end hte bill was £7.5k :( for reference my compression figures were all 160 plus when tested
     
  17. MarkCollins

    MarkCollins F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jul 2, 2002
    3,202
    South England
    Full Name:
    Mark Collins
    Eric

    if you don't mind answering, who did the PPI?
     
  18. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    Verdi Ferrari (one of the sponsors of this site). I know they know what they are doing, so it must be me getting the wrong end of the stick here!

    Eric
     
  19. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    Let us know what the outcome is - would be v interesting to hear how Verdi performed the test differently..
    Ade
     
  20. yasir

    yasir Formula Junior

    Nov 5, 2003
    352
    Eric,
    The numbers as such don't mean anything as long as they are within factory specs and within 7-10% of each other.There are several factors that can affect the final outcome and to name few,if the battery is new,the compression #'s be higher,if it's done cold the numbers be lower,if plugs are old the numbers be lower again and the list goes on and on.
    Just ask the tech if the test was done warm or cold,inquire about the plugs,battery and stuff like that and also if they are within factory specs or not.
    later, Yasir
     
  21. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Jun 23, 2003
    100,524
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Peter
    How can the plugs make a difference? I'm no expert on this stuff, but there's information going around here that's way off base, and some poor guy is relying on it to determine whether or not to buy a car! Apart from anything else, gauges vary significantly, and compression tests are done without the plugs in.
     

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