Compression numbers

F355GTB6Speed,
I think with all of the info from the compression numbers & PPI that it is best to walk away from this F-car. While it is disappointing to NOT purchase the car after the search/anticipation and build up, there will be many more chances to purchase another one (or two or three!). Getting the right well cared for & maintained Ferrari will make all the difference in your ownership experience. I purchased a 1995 348 Spider Rosso Corsa & Tan 11k miles over 2 years ago & I could not be happier and "Franchesca" now has over 15k on the odometer. Now I am looking to add another to my stable, a 12 cylinder (575 or 599). Good luck in your search!

 

I bet it wont pass a CA smog test. May be best to walk away and learn from this one.
60 is a very dead hole. I bet the HC is off the charts

Wonder why a pro dont have a remote starter. More things make you say Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

What shop is performing the PPI. Are they also the ones selling the car?

 

I'm here in Austin (west side), the weather will be beautiful tomorrow. I plan to drive my 98 GTS like I stole it as soon as the roads are dry. Would love see yours if you're getting it. 2222 to Lime Creek to 1431. let me know.

 

Negotiate a price based on the PPI, buy the car, sort it and live happily ever after

 

Those numbers are a classic problem with the 355. Valve guide issue causing the bad leakdown compression numbers. Do a search here you will see hundreds of threads
I am doing one right now, numbers not as bad but while engine is out in were doing it.

It idles great pulls hard and smooth but is down on power and HC emission is high
Cost will be 7-10 K, Very textbook repair for the 355
So you know where your at

 

Nothing wrong with being there. But I think its best to keep the PPI at a separate facility - or bring in an outside mechanic to the dealer's location.

Keeps it with your "expert" and you paying him/her directly for results going to you without conflicts of interest creeping up.

If a dealer can't go with that, then you question "what are they not telling me.?"

Robb

 

My '95 had the issue early on and had the guides replaced. I think it is reported mostly in 95 and 96 but the consensus that I have read also show issues with later years.

Maybe Rifledriver can chime in or Dave Helms...

Robb

 

Dave Helms quit posting Fchat after getting his GCK savaged by certain posters on this board a year or so ago. Really a shame.

 

To me it is crazy not to have an independent specialist evaluate the car. In this locale I would suggest Norwood (no affiliation).

If it is guides, it is going to be expensive. If it is something worse... you could be sticking some really big money into the car.

 

You guys are making way to much of this.

F355GTB6speed,

You asked above, how do you explain the leak down numbers? Please see my post 24 https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/143543988-post24.html

As I said in that post, with compression number as you have noted, the only explanation is that they are bogus. A 3.5% leak down is basically a perfect engine. You don't need a qualified independent shop owner to tell you that. And if the compression number are actually what you most recently posted there are some serious problems here, either with the car or the shop doing the PPI does not knowing what it is doing. You have two choices: 1) Walk away. 2) Insist a qualified independent shop perform a compression and leak down. There is a 3rd choice, buy the car and hope. But if the car needs a top end rebuild you are talking more like $15k to $20k depending on who does the work and what parts are used (Ferrari or after market). Also, as Tim said, a cylinder at 60psi is pretty much just going a long for the ride. Probably would not even fire consistently at low rpm, if at all.

By the way, I presume this is the car? www.texastoys.com 1997 Ferrari

This creates another inconsistency because my understanding is that Lambo of Dallas is a pretty reputable firm. The selling dealer shows one page of the major service document from Lambo of D on his web site which states that a compression and leak down were done at the time of the major, about 2k miles ago, 4/2013. I would definitely ask to see what the numbers from Lambo of Dallas were.

 

I paid for a ppi at a Ferrari dealer and walked from the car because of similar issues.

Here are the videos of the compression test and leak down being done by a master Ferrari tech.

http://youtu.be/o27ma0LejZU

http://youtu.be/73zHI27T_38

The leak down on the bad cylinder should show the leakage as well.

 

A top end rebuild does not cost $15-20k unless you replace all 40 valves. It generally costs more like the $7-10k Tim quoted. If a shop tells you to replace every single valve when you have your guides replaced, you are most likely getting ripped off.

 

Considering the dealer's attitude it seems that they'd rather sell to the uninformed. Same MO as many others who flip "high-line" cars.

"The dealer said, most people they don't even do a PPI since the car is running ok, he said the car is strong and I'm sure someone will buy it!"

 

Did u rock the car to make sure cyl was at tdc?
35% is prob more than just guides
Sounds like tdc was missed

 

A good leakdown number for this car is under 10% meaning nothing in the green area on the guage or just touching it. These motors have a less leakdown by design dont go by what the guage says is "normal" or "low"

 

sounds good