Hi all, I’m a long time member mainly over in the 308 section (have owned my QV for about 9 years) but towards the end of last year I managed to buy an ‘85 Testarossa Monospecchio. I’ve always wanted a TR in some guise, and finally pulled the trigger on an early RHD example. Now the fun begins… I collected the car, drove it home and the car is cutting out when the rev’s drop. Rather than dropping down and then maintaining idle, it just cuts out. This was rather unnerving on the inaugural drive as it would cut out and I would have no brakes! I have sent the car over to my mechanic and we think it must be a fuel issue, but haven’t managed to get to the bottom of it. I was wondering if anyone here has experienced a similar fault or might be able to shed some light on what the issue might be? Thanks in advance!
does the car now starts and just get off again? then check on the right side in the engine compartment the small black box. inside there is a relay with a fuse also have a look at the fuse box in the front. I think you will have an electrical problem. you may use the search function. those problems have been discussed here several times since long time
A 1985 RHD (euro) TR will be K-Jet without Lambda -- so no electrical things to affect warm-running (it's basically a BBi512 with a better ignition system ). If the RPM is just falling down to zero when decelerating when the throttle is closed (but otherwise runs fairly well warm) = most likely it's just not tweaked up properly: 1. Warm idle airflow with air bypass screws closed should be 700 RPM and equal vacuum in both intake plenums. 2. Warm idle airflow with air bypass screws open should be 1000 RPM and equal vacuum in both intake plenums. 3. Mixture should be set just a little rich in condition 2. If you meet those three condition and still have the same trouble = that would be weird. The good news is that, being a "without Lambda" with no cats, the mixture won't be fussy and should run well even if set too rich.
This may be largely a reiteration of what Steve said — but I had a similar (though not quite as dramatic) issue when I bought my TR. I took it to the Ferrari dealer and they used some sort of mercury tube device thingy to ‘balance the banks.’ The problem was totally fixed after that.
Injected Boxers, TRs and 400s all had this issue. For some reason parallel CIS systems get fussy about the idle set up. If you set it up as described by Steve not skipping over anything it should be OK. When snapping the throttle closed it should not dip way down and recover or worse yet die. If a manometer is not available a vacuum gauge works fine. "T" the vacuum hose to both manifolds and with a pair of pliers alternately pinch off one side then the other to balance the throttles. I do it all the time.
Had issues with erratic / bouncing idle and balancing the two banks solved it. Was only an issue when cold though.
I don’t know if this could be of any help but many years ago my 85 TR had this problem: A couple of seconds after starting the engine it would die. Over and over. Finally it was a corroded ignition cable by one of the coil. I’m by NO mean an expert like you guys, so if my story is just noise on the line, please accept my excuses. Have a good week-end everyone!
Thanks for the help guys, I have passed on this info to my mechanic, so hoping that sorts out the issue. I will report back shortly...
