My 328 is running a bit rough

roalda · May 20, 2015

I had some issues with the 89 328 recently so I took it to a specialist to have a look, what was happening was when the engine was under load i.e. accelerating no issues, however on lift off and crawling along in gear the car was very jerky and awkward to drive.
It was suggested that it could be clutch judder so the clutch has been changed and had a full cam belt service.
Gear change is a lot smoother and the engine is running fine however the car is still jerky when crawling along.
Any ideas?
Regards Roy

Iain · May 20, 2015

roalda said: ↑

I had some issues with the 89 328 recently so I took it to a specialist to have a look, what was happening was when the engine was under load i.e. accelerating no issues, however on lift off and crawling along in gear the car was very jerky and awkward to drive.
It was suggested that it could be clutch judder so the clutch has been changed and had a full cam belt service.
Gear change is a lot smoother and the engine is running fine however the car is still jerky when crawling along.
Any ideas?
Regards Roy
Click to expand...

If the throttle pedal/cable is not sticking then I'd start with the obvious i.e. plug extenders back through the leads, rotor arms & caps.

Could be a bad coil or ignition module but my guess would be almost certainly ignition related.

ME308 · May 20, 2015

Iain said: ↑

... then I'd start with the obvious i.e. plug extenders back through the leads, rotor arms & caps.... my guess would be almost certainly ignition related.
Click to expand...

I`d second that, especially if the line in the sand seems to be around 3000 rpm -
(stumbling below, all good above)

if the age of your spark plugs, extenders, ignition wires are unknown ... change the whole sets !
particularly look for burn marks on the lower part of the extenders where the spark might jump to the block instead of getting to the plug

roalda · May 20, 2015

Iain said: ↑

If the throttle pedal/cable is not sticking then I'd start with the obvious i.e. plug extenders back through the leads, rotor arms & caps.

Could be a bad coil or ignition module but my guess would be almost certainly ignition related.
Click to expand...

Hi Ian
The plugs were replaced ignition timing and co level set up as part of the service.
The throttle cable and mechanism was also lubed up.
New clutch assembly with seals, bearings etc.
I'm guessing he would have checked the extenders while doing plugs, I said it felt like it could be the engine mounts as the engine feels like it is rocking!
It's very hard to explain the symptoms, if I put the car in first gear and excelerate away, no real problems, but if I allow the car to run on part or no throttle it is really jerky.

roalda · May 20, 2015

ME308 said: ↑

I`d second that, especially if the line in the sand seems to be around 3000 rpm -
(stumbling below, all good above)

if the age of your spark plugs, extenders, ignition wires are unknown ... change the whole sets !
particularly look for burn marks on the lower part of the extenders where the spark might jump to the block instead of getting to the plug
Click to expand...

Hi Michael
The leads etc are all original to the car, do you think that would cause the erratic nature of the car?

Iain · May 20, 2015

roalda said: ↑

Hi Ian
The plugs were replaced ignition timing and co level set up as part of the service.
The throttle cable and mechanism was also lubed up.
New clutch assembly with seals, bearings etc.
I'm guessing he would have checked the extenders while doing plugs, I said it felt like it could be the engine mounts as the engine feels like it is rocking!
It's very hard to explain the symptoms, if I put the car in first gear and excelerate away, no real problems, but if I allow the car to run on part or no throttle it is really jerky.
Click to expand...

Curious to know how anyone would set the ignition timing on a 328 (Valve timing maybe, but not ignition)

Lubing a throttle cable is only a short term fix if its sticking. They are supposed to run dry. I had to replace mine a couple of years ago - its not a difficult job.

Ignition all day long IMO & if your leads are original I would bet if you take them off & do a continuity test you will find one or more broken ones. Andyww did a good post on how to make new ones - or just buy OEM. You don't need to buy separate coil leads (as per the parts book) they come with the ignition leads now.

You can do a quick "rule out" on the extenders by wrapping them in tape temporarily but they are also a good bet.

pappy.72 · May 20, 2015

So it was jerky and they told you to change the clutch. Now it is still jerky? What "specialist" did you take it to?

mike996 · May 20, 2015

LOL! Right; sounds like a "how do I make money?" specialist.

Peterleonj · May 20, 2015

Do you want to sell the car ?

roalda · May 21, 2015

Peterleonj said: ↑

Do you want to sell the car ?
Click to expand...

I will consider offers around £250k if your interested

roalda · May 21, 2015

Iain said: ↑

Curious to know how anyone would set the ignition timing on a 328 (Valve timing maybe, but not ignition)

Lubing a throttle cable is only a short term fix if its sticking. They are supposed to run dry. I had to replace mine a couple of years ago - its not a difficult job.

Ignition all day long IMO & if your leads are original I would bet if you take them off & do a continuity test you will find one or more broken ones. Andyww did a good post on how to make new ones - or just buy OEM. You don't need to buy separate coil leads (as per the parts book) they come with the ignition leads now.

You can do a quick "rule out" on the extenders by wrapping them in tape temporarily but they are also a good bet.
Click to expand...

Sorry yes valve timing, I told him to lube the throttle cable as it usually lasts a year without sticking!
We talked last year about replacing the clutch as it was getting harder to depress the clutch pedal, the sprung area of the clutch gets hard and brittle over time and the thrust bearing had dried out and was on its last legs!
The symptoms I was having he thought it might be clutch judder so we decided to change it.
Gear change has massively improved and way smoother.
Alas not solved the problem.
Just went on to Ferrari parts website to have a look at leads and extenders, holy crap ££££££.

andyww · May 21, 2015

Roy, the advice about plug leads above is spot on.

If they are original they will be past end of life. The front bank leads get heated up and the insulation gets "baked" until it cracks which breaks the wire inside.

As Iain mentioned:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/428411-ignition-lead-rebuild.html

roalda · May 21, 2015

andyww said: ↑

Roy, the advice about plug leads above is spot on.

If they are original they will be past end of life. The front bank leads get heated up and the insulation gets "baked" until it cracks which breaks the wire inside.

As Iain mentioned:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/428411-ignition-lead-rebuild.html
Click to expand...

Hi Andy
Did you have any problems with the running of the car before you did the leads?

andyww · May 21, 2015

roalda said: ↑

Hi Andy
Did you have any problems with the running of the car before you did the leads?
Click to expand...

Not really but thats because I rebuilt them as soon as I found the front bank leads had become brittle when I took them off to do the cams. They came out in bits held together only by the outer sleeving.

Many others have found that the problems with leads/extenders start with a misfire.

roalda · May 22, 2015

andyww said: ↑

Not really but thats because I rebuilt them as soon as I found the front bank leads had become brittle when I took them off to do the cams. They came out in bits held together only by the outer sleeving.

Many others have found that the problems with leads/extenders start with a misfire.
Click to expand...

I found your lead rebuild very interesting Andy and nearly went down that route, but just looked at the outer covers on the leads I already have on the car and they are looking very grubby and discoloured!
I have just ordered a new set with extenders and new rotors (ouch!!!!!!)
I will let you know how I get on, I may need some advice on how to fit the leads to the Dissy Cap etc though!
Thanks guys for all you help.

Kind Regards
Roy

Rod · May 27, 2015

Any update Roy?

roalda said: ↑

I found your lead rebuild very interesting Andy and nearly went down that route, but just looked at the outer covers on the leads I already have on the car and they are looking very grubby and discoloured!
I have just ordered a new set with extenders and new rotors (ouch!!!!!!)
I will let you know how I get on, I may need some advice on how to fit the leads to the Dissy Cap etc though!
Thanks guys for all you help.

Kind Regards
Roy
Click to expand...

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