Help! '86 328 engine management issues | FerrariChat
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Help! '86 328 engine management issues

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by drapp54, May 11, 2013.

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  1. drapp54

    drapp54 Rookie

    May 4, 2004
    26
    #1 drapp54, May 11, 2013
    I hope this pattern sounds familiar to someone with advice to give.
    I had the fuel pump replaced on my '86 328 GTS and when the car is warm and running, it runs fine. But here is the bigger picture:

    COLD START - Starts up at once, with foot off the gas and without difficulty but...
    COLD IDLE - is very rough and will quit without variable gas pedal pressure. Lots of white smoke and smell (?) until it reaches operating temperature, about 5 minutes
    HOT START - very often the engine doesn't catch; long repeated cranking doesn't help; last resort is to crank with gas pedal to the floor for 20-30 seconds --this gets it started.
    HOT IDLE - is fine and smooth at 1000 RPM.

    What's the cause and what should I do, please.
    Thanks
     
  2. Turbopanzer

    Turbopanzer F1 World Champ

    Oct 2, 2011
    11,120
    Under a bonnet
    Full Name:
    Panzer
    #2 Turbopanzer, May 11, 2013
    Does the white smoke dissipate after a few minutes or is it continuous?
     
  3. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,822
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #3 Steve Magnusson, May 11, 2013
    This:

    plus this:

    indicates the cold control pressure vs the warm control pressure is not correct -- measuring the cold control pressure and the warm control pressure would be a logical diagnostic step IMO.

    This is a symptom of the rest fuel pressure after engine shutoff dropping too quickly and/or too low. You indicate that the fuel pump was replaced -- do you know if this also included replacing the check valve on the outlet? A bad accumulator or a bad seal in the regulator portion of the fuel distributor can also cause the rest fuel pressure to not be held. Have you had the resting fuel pressure after engine shutoff measured/timed?

    Would you also please give some background -- e.g., "it was running perfectly, in all modes, and then all these troubles showed up", or "it's never been right as long as I've owned it, and a bunch of Mechanics have turned every adjustment screw every which way ;)", etc.

    PS Is it a US or euro version?

    PPS Why does your Profile indicate a different model owned?
     
  4. drapp54

    drapp54 Rookie

    May 4, 2004
    26
    #4 drapp54, May 12, 2013
    Thanks for quick responses.
    White smoke disappears after about 5 minutes. It runs smooth and clean when warm (won't restart easily though)
    Don't yet know about check valve. accumulator, seal in regulator or measurement of resting fuel pressure - I am passing these and other questions/suggestions along to the mechanic who knows Ferrari but is not a specialist and may never have touched a 328 before.

    Background: I should have said that this car lives at 7,000 feet above sea level in Santa Fe, NM. I drive it infrequently and it sits for long months with a trickle charger. (That can't be helped.) Before the fuel pump was replaced I had a different problem - car would start and idle fine but after running warm for a while the 'slow down' light would come on and the car would lose power. This no longer happens. The car has not been fiddled with by multiple mechanics - this problem just arose.
    It's a U.S. model.
    My profile probably mentions my 2004 360 Spider which lives elsewhere and has never presented a problem (or a 430 which I once owned but traded for a Panamera GTS).
    All discussion and advice greatly appreciated.
     

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