F355 starting problems

Have you checked the ignition system? Check for spark at plugs?

 

I have an ongoing cold start problem with my F355 98 5.2 Motronic , The issue first occured 6 months ago after having the cambelts, valve guides etc renewed, the car was in storage after this work was completed for a month prior to me returning to the UK. The car started without problems but when i shut it down after a few minutes it failed to fire. The engine would crank, but i noticed that the usual fuel pump noise was absent. I called a Ferrai specialist who collected the vehicle and managed to fix the problem, which he advised was atributed to the fact that i had stopped the car during the warm up phase, and that he reset the the ecu using the SD1. The problem occured again when i stoppped for fuel a few miles from his workshop. But restarted after a few minutes. I used the car regulary for the following fortnight without problem. I returned home over Christmas and atempted to start the car, but the same problem now exists, the engine cranks but the fuel pump doesnt seem to be operating. I have searched various posts and have concluded that the issue is similar in principle to other posts on fchat that the fuel FPR maybe the cause, which I doubt due to the lack of fuel pumpfunction. does anyone think that the issue maybe the camshaft sensor. I keep the car in a dehumidified garage and have a battery conditioner fitted whenever the car is stored.

 

Spray 2 seconds worth of starter fluid into your air intake the next time you get your no-start condition, then attempt to start. Does the motor start? Does the motor quickly die after the starter fluid has been consumed?

This will help guide you to bypassing your fuel pump relay (for a test)...or lead you to identifying a spark issue (different tests available, then).

 

WOW!

Christmas came early for the Parts guys this year! Statements of "its this or that" with no questions asked, no diagnostic work......

I have yet to replace a single FPR on any 355 and I can see no way this would be the cause of such a problem. When a "Ferrari Specialist" says the problem is due to shutting a 5.2 car down early....Its time to find another "Specialist". Relay for the Air Pump??? I even read how a leaking flywheel causes this yet I pulled one apart this fall that was near completely dry that never once had a starting issue over the last season of driving. If any of these repairs actually fix the problem its because the real issue was "bumped" and happens to have fixed it for the time being.

ND and I have been known to butt heads in the past but his post is the first I read about trying to identify the source rather than just throwing parts at it, well done. Anybody own a fuel pressure gauge, this would be a good place to start?

I completely understand trying to save money, Im all about that in everyway. Sadly even the owner that went to a "Specialist" is getting a load of .... bad advise. Back to the basics.... isolate a problem, diagnosis a problem, and then fix the problem. Attention to the small details. My appologies to the parts suppliers.

Dave

 

Gents,thanks for the feedback. I believe the next step should be to purchase a code reader and establish if there are any outstanding codes that may effect or be causing this problem. unfortunley I wont be able to atempt to fix the car until late January but in the meantime a code reader would be a good start, any suggestions on the best model that works on UK spec F cars.