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Runs rough and missing

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by Eddie.h, Sep 28, 2021.

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  1. Eddie.h

    Eddie.h Karting
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    #1 Eddie.h, Sep 28, 2021
    A few days ago my 83 QV started running rough on occasion with a noticeable miss. Started checking plugs and number 4 on the front was fouled. Checked the connection with my timing light and no power to number 4. Looks like the plug wire has come out of the bracket and fallen down on something hot and cracked. Of course it has to be front bank. Time to order new wires. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login


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  2. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #2 moysiuan, Sep 29, 2021
    The left plug looks good, engine must be in good shape!
     
  3. afterburner

    afterburner F1 Rookie
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    #3 afterburner, Sep 30, 2021
    You might want to check your rotors and extenders at the same time.
     
  4. Eddie.h

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    #4 Eddie.h, Oct 2, 2021
    Fortunately all the parts are about a year old. The small plastic plug wire bracket has broken and the wire drooped down near the headers and got toasty and cracked. Will need a new one of those too.


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  5. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #5 moysiuan, Oct 3, 2021
    Those darn plug wire holders always seem to break. Pain to install and to remove the broken stubs. Get a dental pick to get the remains out.

    My wish list includes a permanent solution by making a version out of aluminum which are set screwed into the retaining holes.
     
  6. Eddie.h

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    #6 Eddie.h, Oct 22, 2021
    In the process of replacing plug wires. How does the lead to the coil come out of the distributor? Is the screw somehow below the lead contact? Image Unavailable, Please Login


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  7. afterburner

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    #7 afterburner, Oct 22, 2021
  8. Eddie.h

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    #8 Eddie.h, Oct 22, 2021
    Ok. That’s what I was afraid of. Looks like the spring loaded piece is no longer springy. May need a new cap. Thanks.


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  9. afterburner

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    #9 afterburner, Oct 22, 2021
    Remove and clean it may well work again.
     
  10. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #10 moysiuan, Oct 22, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2021
    You can get the centre carbon and spring separately, eg. Ricambi used to supply, probably still does. The caps are meant to be refurbished by cleaning the rotor arc surfaces on the pins, a dremel tool with a brass wire brush tool or some fine sandpaper will clean things up, and then replace the carbon button. As long as there are no cracks you can get more service life out of them.

    Your cap does shows some green corrosion deposits, looks like you have some moisture in there, must be the humid part of Texas! Does your cap have two small vent hole drilled in the sides, I don't see that, this vents the cap, some older caps did not have the vent holes. There is also a rubber cover for each cap, if missing get some replacements.
     
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  11. Ricambi America

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    #11 Ricambi America, Oct 23, 2021
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  12. Eddie.h

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    #12 Eddie.h, Oct 24, 2021
    You are right about the humidity. We are just north of Houston. As you suggested I cleaned up the cap and it does have the holes and the rubber cover. The carbon button is stuck and a gentle tug with pliers chipped off a small flack of the carbon. So I guess I will order the buttons from Ricambi before I go any further. I went ahead and reinstalled what I had and will go for a test drive. Thanks.


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  13. afterburner

    afterburner F1 Rookie
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    #13 afterburner, Oct 24, 2021
    You can clean the carbon heads with fine sand paper and of they move freely there is no need to replace them.
     
  14. Eddie.h

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    #14 Eddie.h, Oct 29, 2021
    Ok. I got the carbon brush and spring out. Cleaned all the contacts. While inspecting the cap I noticed an odd mark on the #4 post. If you zoom in on the upper left post is a white ish mark. This is also the cylinder that is indicating a weak spark. Looks like a short that may be getting worse. Still looks like a new cap is in my future. Image Unavailable, Please Login


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  15. afterburner

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    #15 afterburner, Oct 29, 2021
    Have you measured the resistance of the cap contact to spark plug socket with and without extender, incl the cable from the coil?
     
  16. Eddie.h

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    #16 Eddie.h, Nov 9, 2021
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  17. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #17 moysiuan, Nov 9, 2021
    Congratulations on the fix! Everyone thinks these are complicated cars, and they have some complexity but often as not things that go wrong really could happen to any car, especially of a certain age. On most cars the dist caps are consumable throwaway items, on our F cars people tend to never proactively change them out and so some have originals or very old ones still in service. Age and heat take their toll on plastics.

    That said, I wonder why Ferrari chose this specific type of cap, it does not seem to be used on any other car, nor any other Fcar for that matter.
     
  18. Eddie.h

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    #18 Eddie.h, Nov 11, 2021
    Thanks. Yep, the other cap looks like it has been replaced at some time while this one looks like it might be the original. Was all corroded and the graphite pin was stuck. Side note that after getting her back together the temperature gauge was acting up. Found a loose wire in the large bundle under the left side of the engine. I must have leaned on it while fighting with installing the new cap and wires. What a joy to get her back on the road.


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