1st start attempt. Does it go ?

It doenn't sound normal for a 355. I don't think MY has anything to do with it.

Mine it's a 99 F1 but it started strong on first try even after it's been sitting for 2-3 weeks at times.

Could it be fuel delivery related?....just a guess here. Hope you get it sort out soon.

 

Yes, I usually wait about 10-15 sec. before I crank but it's for the F1 trans to go thru all it's check sequences.

 

My 95 does the same thing. If is summertime, it will always start right away from cold. In fall when it is colder, it won't start the first time but right away on the second try. Mine is a very early 95. I've changed plugs and wires, fuel filters and cleaned my MAF sensor and still does it. Might be fuel or some air temp sensor. Minor problem so I don't worry about it.

 

Could be a vacuum leak, my car was running ruff on start up and it was a vacuum leak causing my problem.

You shouldn't have to wait on start up, only time I do is when I leave the car in 1st and I wait for the F1 pump to build pressure to allow me to shift to N.

Try starting the car when cold, once started run it for a minute or so, shut the car down and pull a spark plug, from looking at the plug you should be able to tell if its running rich or lean on start up, remember the choke will make it run richer than it would at operating temp but the plug should not be fowled. This will give you a direction to head to figure out the problem.

(I’m not a Ferrari tech, this is just the same principle I would apply to any combustion engine)

Hope you sort it soon.

 

Squirt some starter fluid into your air intake for your first start of the day to see if that makes a difference (will identify if you have a fuel flow or "no spark" issue).


Then check your Fuel Pressure Regulators (FPRs). You've got two. Pull the little black vaccuum hose that goes to each (engine off!), rub a finger on the end, and smell your finger for fuel. Fuel in that vaccum line means that an FPR is shot. Easy to replace. Cheap, too.

 

Anytime, but not via PM. Open forum helps lurkers who have the same problem as you, but are reluctant to post.

 

1. Items #4 in the pic are your FPRs (big arrow in pic points to front of car direction), and that little hose is what you just pull off to rub and then smell for fuel. If you need to replace one, just write down the Bosch part # that is stamped on each FPR (same for both) and look it up generically by that # on any major discount store (on-line at Rockauto.com or in person at O'Reilly Auto Parts) and they are typically less than $60 for the non-Bosch clones (which are typically better quality than Bosch).

2. Starter Fluid is generic. Cames in spray cans. Every, and I mean every, auto parts store has it in stock and for sale for about $2. All brands work equally well. Can't go wrong. Spray it liberally into your air intake. Just like spraying a can of spray paint. That easy, and yet it will identify a fuel flow or spark problem.

I like easy. I like cheap. Starter fluid is both.


*also, just as a tip, to look up pictures/diagrams for parts in the future, just go to Eurospares.com and choose your vehicle from their drop down menus (http://www.eurospares.co.uk/partTable.asp?M=1&Mo=691&A=1&B=40968&S=)
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Bingo! Thats what I would be putting my money on also.

 

Starter fluid works means fuel flow problem.
Starter fluid yields "no difference" means spark problem.

 

Betting on me will make you a rich man, Pap!

 

FPRs are just the most common point of fuel flow failure. Stuck fuel injectors, failing fuel pump, clogged fuel filter...lots of other points can go wrong, though.