328 back from the shop....... | FerrariChat
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328 back from the shop.......

Discussion in '308/328' started by Fiat4Fun, Nov 11, 2009.

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  1. Fiat4Fun

    Fiat4Fun Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2008
    317
    Sunriver OR
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #1 Fiat4Fun, Nov 11, 2009
    Picked up my 328 today from the dealer. Had it in for a oil change, brake fluid change and the belts/bearings. They found a small leak in the front cam seals, so I had that done too.

    The car last had it's belts/bearings done during the last major in 5/04 ( @ 27k) and after inspecting the old belts, I am glad I did the change. Not that the belts looked so bad that they were ready to fail, but I would call them well used and the bearings were not coming apart or rough. The belt teeth were rounded and glazed, and small cracks can be seen from the teeth side of the belt.

    The car now has 35k on it, and I drove it home 3hrs from the dealer, in the rain and a bit of snow, and to my surprise, it did not melt when it got wet ;-)

    First time I have driven it in "weather" and it acted well, and the wipers worked much better than I expected after all those years with "slow" Fiat wipers. The 328 is really great car, and grows on me every time I drive it.

    By the way, cost of the repairs was less than I expected, which was a nice bonus, and well worth the piece of mind and the feeling that I got the work done by the right people, plus I feel like I am servicing the car right.

    Folks, as many of you already know, these are very special and fun cars......
    Enjoy
     
  2. ace_pilot

    ace_pilot Formula Junior

    Sep 6, 2007
    921
    Long Island, NY
    Full Name:
    George
    #2 ace_pilot, Nov 11, 2009
    Make sure you really dry the car well. Esp in the quarter windows behind the louvers. They have a tendency to collect water there. Check under the doors as well and the sill plate. Blow it dry with some compress air. I drove the car back, in the rain, from a major as well (didn't really want to do it but the major took way too long.)

    While it's true that they don't melt, but they do get cancer (rust) with repeated soakings. (despite what people will tell you).

    Ace
     
  3. Fiat4Fun

    Fiat4Fun Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2008
    317
    Sunriver OR
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #3 Fiat4Fun, Nov 11, 2009
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2009
    Ace,
    Great advice, I didn't know about the area behind the louvers, and I did wipe down the door jams and front and rear lid sills.

    I don't plan on driving much in bad weather, but it is nice to know it is not a issue, and knowing what areas are a concern is a greatly appreciated.

    I know about rust and Italian cars.............

    THANKS so much, as I am just learning about this car.......
     
  4. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 27, 2003
    72,097
    MidTN
    Full Name:
    DGS
    #4 DGS, Nov 12, 2009
    The 328s are galvanized steel. I drove mine, rain or shine, for three years without a problem. (Once I got the EVO, I use that in bad weather.)

    I've had my 328 for ten years now, and still no rot.

    I've had my Alfa spider for 30 years, but I had major undercoating installed when it was new. (And I don't drive it much in bad weather anymore.)

    The 328 has fiberglass on the rocker panels behind the wheels where the Alfa picked up some rust.
     

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