Can anyone help? 1989 328GTB UK model. I have two puzzling problems. 1. When I close the ventilation (fresh air) 'flap' I still get air blowing it when the car is moving, but it's not heated so I'm thinking maybe air is bypassing the flap or something? If the fan is on and the car is stationary, the air from that stops totally when the flap's shut, but when I'm moving air always comes in. Any ideas? 2. Fast idle when cold is approaching 1800rpm. Is that normal? Also, sometimes, when the engine is at full temp, when I first come to a stop the idle speed will sit up at about 1300rpm-1500rpm for a short time before settling down to 1100rpm where it will then stay until next time I come to a stop, and then the process repeats. Otherwise, the car runs perfectly. Thanks in advance.
Hi Peter, Have you sought any advice from the "usual suspects" in Melbourne? (I am in Melbourne as well!) Who does the servicing of your car(s)? How long have you had the 328 GTB? I swa there was one for sale about 6 or 8 weeks ago - a guy had it up in a Ferrari mechanics at Box Hill or something - Black something? Sounded like a great car if that was the one - I just couldn't manage to get up to see it. I have NO idea to add any value to your two issues other than toi say I have a 1989 GTS (Aus delivered), and it always idles at around 1,000 to 1,100 RPM - hot cold - stopping - whatever - the only suggestion is whether it is an electrical issue - which sounds weird but ....
On the First one, which "flap" are you talking about? The second one is likely to be the throttle body needs a clean & the butterfly is not quite closing properly. Next time the idle is stuck a bit high, open the engine bay and push gently on the throttle mechanism & I would expect it will move & the revs will fall. Its just a build up of crap round the butterfly. Remove the TB (careful not to drop the washers!) and clean it up. Its not a difficult job & just needs a 10mm socket, a couple of screwdrivers & a can of carb cleaner. Cold idle at 1800 is quite high - once you get your throttle body cleaned up see where its at after that - that may be contributing to how high the cold idle is. It does suggest your AAV and WUR are all working though so that's good. If its still higher than you want after you have cleaned up the TB then you could try dropping the warm idle (by adjusting the big air bleed nut under the Throttle body) just a small amount to bring the warm idle down by 100 revs or so. You should find that will reduce the cold idle speed a bit.
Hi Alan. That was me. I remember your call. I changed my mind about selling it. here's what what was being done when you rang.... http://tinyurl.com/qx8kp9 I COULD ask the mechanics, but I'd rather try and fix it myself if it turns out that it's something simple. Dropping it off in Ringwood is such a pain! Your car doesn't even idle faster when it's cold? hmmmm
well....i don't know what it is, but whatever is moving when i push the button that directs the air from the floor to the dashboard. I know when all the lights along the switch are off it certainly blocks air from the fan from coming in to the cabin, but not when i'm moving, which is why I'm suspecting some sort of leakage somewhere...but I have no idea where. The throttle body was just cleaned up when I had recent work done. There was all the old and probably original grease on the mechanism that definitely freed up the throttle pedal effort, so it must have been quite bad, but it made no difference to the problem. However, this was only externally, i THINK, so i'll try the pushing on the throttle mechanism and see if it's sticking. If that's not it, then I'll turn down that big nut. I've seen it and know exactly what you're talking about. Still, that probably wouldn't explain the variation I'm guessing.
On the throttle, no, it wouldn't explain it. When you say the TB was cleaned, was it actually removed and cleaned internally? The issue I have had (twice) is a build up round the butterfly that stops it closing properly. You need to take it off to get to it & clean it out properly. The other thing to look at is the throttle cable and the pedal. "At rest" the throttle cable should have a bit of slack in it. If it doesn't then look at the cable and/or the pedal. Check round the pedal, you may have a build up of carpet fluff & rubbish in there. If its the cable that is sticking its a bit of a faff to replace it it - I think you really need a lift to allow you to feed a new one through. There is also the famous (but simple!) issue of the carpet/floor mat interfering with the pedal. So take the carpets out & see if it still does it as well. On the vent, the switch is operating a flap that just diverts air from the floor to the dash - I can't see why it would be allowing fresh air into the car (or not!). Having said that I know that if I want to get air out of my vents to the floor I need to have one yellow light on so I think it should turn the flow off if its closed. The flap (wherever it is!) probably has some kind of rubber/foam seal round it - maybe its failed.
Pete I had a similar thing re the idle with my car.When hot it would idle a bit high and sometimes when I would switch the car off it would sort of overun for a few seconds.I cleaned the throttle body, all though I didnt remove it just used a rag with some carb cleaner and also I was using regular unleaded but have switched to premium and it has gone away.I did adjust the large brass knob as well.I think Euro cars a slightly differnt to Aussi cars in regrds to the idle air adjustment,but thats only what I have been told.Dont have an answer on the air flap but probably would be that the foam seal has deteriated.I have no idea how to change the dash bulbs either.Side issue though is the interior lights fuse is also the fuse for the central locking.It doesnt have it written on the fuse cover.Its been crap weathewr up here in Sydney over the last two weeks so I havent had a chance to drive the car.
Thanks for the URL - the photos were most appreciated! Yes, I remember our call now as well - I ended up buying a 328 GTS which came up shortly after I spoke to you - an AU 1989 delivered model. I opted for the GTS because I do want the "roof off" driving that is afforded by this variant - but I must say, I thought your car sounded very good and I think it is great for you to keep it and enjoy it - particularly after doing all that work! I hope we can meet in the near future - happy driving - hope you can find some answers to your questions, Al (redgear)
CORRECTION - I have just taken my red steed out for a 40 minute (midnight) run up and down the beach road/nepean highway and realised that IN FACT, it does idle at a higher speed when the car is first started....it drops down to 1,000 rpm once it is warmed up.
Anent to your idle inconsistency: An item you might check is the air metering disk located under the air filter. Carefully hold it open (down) and wipe the sides of the venturi with an appropriate cleaner. While this has never happened with my 328, it happened with two older Mercedes that use a similar CSI system. They both exhibited a changing idle. Residue collects there changing the clearance. Another item to check is the fast idle auxiliary air (don't know actual name for this). Two hoses go the vicinity where the idle adjustment is (big nut). They come from beneath the coolant reservoir. The one that has the direct passage to the intake should not pass air when the coolant is warm. That's how mine works and mine idles properly. Also check hose for cracks. Hopefully the problem you're having has some simple solution. I confess that I do not know the differences between UK and USA injection systems so what I have typed may not apply. Just trying to help...
