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Need MAJOR Help!!!!

Discussion in '308/328' started by tasty348, Feb 5, 2006.

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  1. tasty348

    tasty348 Karting

    Jan 13, 2006
    210
    Ocean City, Maryland
    Full Name:
    Christopher and Amy
    #1 tasty348, Feb 5, 2006
    I'm in a bad situation here fellas. I just took delivery of a 1991 348 which I took for a flawless two hour test drive a few weeks ago. The PPI came back perfect as well. All the recent service was done and so on. As soon as I pulled away from the covered car carrier that delivered the car, It was hesitatating and the 1-4 light came on periodically. I assumed it was from sitting so I let her warm up a few times and took it out today. Drove a few blocks and it backfired a few times and the fuel light came on for a moment. Basically, it seems as though the engine is being starved of fuel/air or something. If I let it go, it would conk out. My best assessment is that maybe being transported on an angle in the back of the car carrier may have moved some sediment or clogged something. When it ran, it ran great until the next set of backfirings and sputters. The nearest Ferrari dealer is Ferrrari of Washington, about an hour and half away. I had it towed to a local shop, DiFatta Brothers on Bel Air Rd. Maryland but have no idea if they can help as they are closed on Sunday. I'm hoping a fuel filter or somthing might to the trick. I don't have much mechanical experience, so help a brother out if you can. All of the advise on this forum has been great so far. Thanks in advance...
     
  2. tatcat

    tatcat F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 3, 2001
    11,013
    panama city beach FL
    Full Name:
    rick c
    #2 tatcat, Feb 5, 2006
    by the way it's B'LAIR RD. hon' in NEBO.
     
  3. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

    Nov 3, 2003
    5,198
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Luix Lecusay
    #3 Testacojones, Feb 6, 2006
    It doesn't sound bad, but always try to trouble shoot things before taking it to a shop with an open checkbook.
     
  4. Harold

    Harold F1 Rookie

    Jun 19, 2004
    3,305
    Singapore/Australia
    #4 Harold, Feb 6, 2006
    Had a problem where the car hesitated and lost power with 1-4 or 5-8 warning light coming on (can't remember which) and the car stalling. When the engine was turned off and turned back on, would reset itself. Turned out to be fried cat sensors.
     
  5. jimwalking

    jimwalking Formula Junior

    Jan 3, 2006
    489
    #5 jimwalking, Feb 6, 2006
    Before I freaked out too much I would back track a bit.

    How much fuel is on the tank? Maybe you can evacuate most of it into 5 gallon gas cans. Then a bottle or two dry gas and a bottle of injector cleaner goes in, followed by 5 gallons of fresh 93 octane gasoline. Start it up and let it idle on the driveway and see if car can work its way past the problem. The beauty of working on an automobile engine is you have multiple cylinders, 8 in your case. If you have a fuel problem with your lawn mower it is impossible to get the water or sludge to pass, as there is only one cylinder.

    Since you already had the car towed to a shop, and it is a Ferrari, anticipate a $300+ bill to drain the tank and put a new fuel filter in, which may or may not even be needed.
     
  6. traimpz348

    traimpz348 Formula 3

    Apr 13, 2004
    1,568
    Avon,CT
    Full Name:
    Matthew
    #6 traimpz348, Feb 6, 2006
    Don't worry. This is typical. Ferrari's like to test their owners right from the get go. It's kind of a shake down to see if you have what it takes to be a Ferrari owner.

    The other post are right - it shouldn't be a big deal.

    One she's up and running enjoy - it's a great car.

    Congrats on your purchase.
     
  7. tasty348

    tasty348 Karting

    Jan 13, 2006
    210
    Ocean City, Maryland
    Full Name:
    Christopher and Amy
    #7 tasty348, Feb 6, 2006
    Thanks for the feedback guys. It has eased my mind. The tank is on it's way to being emptied and the dry gas was just purchased. I'll keep you all posted. I will say, that in between backfires and sputters, it was an awesome ride. It's an unparalleled feeling.
     
  8. davey_jones

    davey_jones Formula Junior

    Sep 28, 2002
    781
    wherever it's sunny
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #8 davey_jones, Feb 6, 2006
    Well, the good news is you have a ton of qualified people here that love to solve problems and help other owners out.

    Everything will work out.

    Congrats!
     
  9. dpospres

    dpospres Formula Junior

    Jun 29, 2005
    275
    #9 dpospres, Feb 6, 2006
    There is a place in Bel Air, MD called Cignatta's. Dennis Cignatta is very good with these cars, and very reasonable. If you have issues, you can get ahold of him and see if he can help. As a bonus, he always has some awesome cars to check out while you are there.
     
  10. matteo

    matteo F1 World Champ

    Aug 1, 2002
    13,748
    On a plane somewhere
    Full Name:
    Heir Butt
    #10 matteo, Feb 6, 2006
    Sounds like the typical 348 ECU issue.

    Try this,

    The ECU's are located between the motor and the airfilter box on the intake feed hose. They sit on top. you can't miss them. Unplug them and spray some contact cleaner on them. Let them dry and plug them back in.

    Keep the can in your car.

    Happy motoring.
     
  11. tasty348

    tasty348 Karting

    Jan 13, 2006
    210
    Ocean City, Maryland
    Full Name:
    Christopher and Amy
    #11 tasty348, Feb 7, 2006
    Thanks guys. I'll pick up some contact cleaner today. I think I had my Porsche at Cignatta's a long while ago. You all probably won't believe this but I got a call from Paul at Di Fatta Bros. who checked out the car...."no problems" he says. He drove the car for a long while and the check engine 1-4 light didn't even come on much less a backfire! Are you Freakin' kidding me?!?! It was all I could do to keep the car on the road just 18 hours before. I will follow all the instructions rcvd from all who have responded to my cry for help just to be sure.
     
  12. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,601
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #12 Bullfighter, Feb 7, 2006
    LOL.
     
  13. 6point3

    6point3 Rookie

    Mar 1, 2006
    12
    PacNorWest
    #13 6point3, Mar 1, 2006
    If you are in the area, you should to stop by to see what we do. In for service at the moment are a 328 for belts, a rare BMW M1 twin turbo, a rare 320i Turbo Alpina, Countach with another due in for complete service as well as another 308 for service.

    Cignatta, Inc
    410.679.7600
     

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