Ferrari 208 GTS '88 Loud Explosions while driving | FerrariChat
Buy

Ferrari 208 GTS '88 Loud Explosions while driving

Discussion in '308/328' started by doxxx, Aug 28, 2023.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. doxxx

    doxxx Rookie

    Jan 10, 2017
    4
    Italy
    #1 doxxx, Aug 28, 2023
    Good morning,
    I write this post because of a strange and quite scareful problem with my '88 208 Gts Turbo Intercooler.
    I will take the car to a specialist (300+ km far from me..), but since nobody reported this issue, it may be of interest to some else too.

    Some time ago I was driving the car. A quick pit stop for refuel. Then, in a straight road, foot down, second gear, third, 5, 6k rpm..and booom! A big explosion occurred and I don't remember if the engine shut down or it was me who turned off the car soon after.
    I waited for a little then I turned on the car. Soon after, there was a 500 m long hill. I was expecting the same problem there. And so it was. Booom, and losing power, and then again booom, and boom again. 4 or 5 loud explosions and my hart at 180 bpm.
    Driving back to garage, the engine even shut down after an explosion and I had to wait some time to be able to turn it on again.
    After this episode, I started the car in the garage many times. It runs idle for 10, 20 min without any problem, even while revving. Tried again on the street after some months, same explosions after 5 km.
    The explosions are very loud, like a bomb. Should see people's face when it happens :)
    Considerations:
    - I replaced spark plugs. Nothing changed.
    - The explosions "happens" only when engine is hot.
    - The explosions also "happens" while barely accelerating at low rpm.
    - The problem started after the gas station but according to my mechanic this is only a coincidence.
    Has anyone experienced this issue?
     
  2. Imatk

    Imatk Formula Junior

    May 6, 2007
    768
    #2 Imatk, Aug 28, 2023
    I'm not familiar unfortunately with your car, but if you filled up with lower octane gas (or the station had bad gass) it could be detonation you're hearing.

    In the cars I've driven before it generally sounds like marbles bouncing around in a can. Not a loud explosion. But I would definitely be suspect of the gas especially since it happened right after filling up.

    Hope you find the problem.
     
  3. Vonbarron

    Vonbarron Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 26, 2014
    2,261
    Westside Mofo
    Full Name:
    S B
    #3 Vonbarron, Aug 28, 2023
    I had this before, one crank sensor had gone bad
     
  4. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,785
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #4 Steve Magnusson, Aug 28, 2023
    +1 -- Most likely one bank of ignition dropping out = the unburnt air-fuel charge from that bank gets pushed into the muffler = hot exhaust gas from the other bank ignites it = BOOM!

    I think the OP's 1988 208 Turbo might be Microplex (not Digiplex), but there are still several things in Microplex that can take a single bank of ignition out (just not the crank sensors).

    OP -- If it is Microplex ignition, you could have a look inside each distributor cap just to make sure nothing in there has obviously failed, flooded with oil, etc., but your report that it mostly happens when "hot" would put a lot of suspicion on one of the coil power modules (or maybe a coil) IMO. Good Hunting!
     
    Pero and RodC328gts like this.
  5. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2008
    10,024
    #5 absostone, Aug 28, 2023
    sounds like every bmw , vw tuner kid in my neighborhood.
     
  6. ginoBBi512

    ginoBBi512 F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Oct 9, 2016
    3,535
    SO CAL
    Full Name:
    GINO RUGGIERO
    #6 ginoBBi512, Aug 28, 2023
    Run a tank of 101 Octane at the pump, and be done with it, thats all I run in my 89 GTS. I would venture a guess that you can buy that in Italy. If not, move out of there....lol If the octane at the pump is greater than 101, thats even better, fill it up ....

    G
     
  7. doxxx

    doxxx Rookie

    Jan 10, 2017
    4
    Italy
    #7 doxxx, Aug 29, 2023
    Thanks for your precious suggestions. I already asked to my mechanic if he wants to check the coil power module. He is not a Ferrari specialist but he has decades of experience. Will keep you updated!

    Concerning fuel, here you usually find 100 Octane, but I just found out some fuel station are providing the 101 Octane too!
     
  8. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,871
    Full Name:
    Mike 996
    #8 mike996, Aug 29, 2023
    "+1 -- Most likely one bank of ignition dropping out = the unburnt air-fuel charge from that bank gets pushed into the muffler = hot exhaust gas from the other bank ignites it = BOOM!"

    We used to do that intentionally back in the old days...Shut off ignition while in gear, coasting down, turn on ignition, BOOM...great fun! Less fun if unintentional. :(
     
    RodC328gts likes this.
  9. doxxx

    doxxx Rookie

    Jan 10, 2017
    4
    Italy
    #9 doxxx, Oct 16, 2023
    Hello,
    just want to tell you the problem has been solved.
    The distributor brushes were worn out and replaced.
    But the explosion problem was caused by an old aftermarket anti-theft system which, after a few km, started cutting the power to the spark plugs, or something similar.
    Maybe it will be of some utility to someone.
    Thanks
    Daniel
     
    ferrariowner, ginoBBi512 and RodC328gts like this.
  10. ginoBBi512

    ginoBBi512 F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Oct 9, 2016
    3,535
    SO CAL
    Full Name:
    GINO RUGGIERO
    #10 ginoBBi512, Oct 17, 2023
    Nice easy fix, good for you.

    G
     
  11. Sergio Tavares

    Sergio Tavares Formula 3

    Nov 15, 2018
    1,308
    Full Name:
    Sergio Tavares
    #11 Sergio Tavares, Oct 18, 2023
    I was imagine the turbo and pray for video
     

Share This Page