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Troubleshooting a miss

Discussion in '308/328' started by RockinRon, Sep 7, 2009.

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  1. RockinRon

    RockinRon Rookie

    May 26, 2009
    32
    Sunbury, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Ron Fuller
    #1 RockinRon, Sep 7, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I've had a miss on and off again in my 86 Mondial QV so have not driven her much since I noticed it, only for test drives after I monkey with things that I think might have fixed it, maybe 30 miles total since I noticed the miss. To date I have not done much other than change the plugs, gapped to .26 (the book says .24 to .28 so I am right in the middle), clean the springs on the end of the extenders and pray. :) The previous plugs didn't look fouled, but being a technology person and not a mechanic I would defer to the group for a verdict on the plugs.

    The misses seem to be in the mid band of RPMs (3-5K) at least that is when I notice them. The car doesn't stall and no warning indicators come on. I don't want to gum up my cats if I a pumping unburned fuel into them so have been reluctant to drive a lot.

    Any clues as to where to start?
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  2. fgcfire8

    fgcfire8 Formula Junior

    Jan 19, 2008
    459
    Montpelier Va
    Full Name:
    Frank Castelvecchi
    #2 fgcfire8, Sep 7, 2009
    Try cleaning the contacts inside the distributer caps and rotors with a little fine (240) sandpaper. In my 82 these tend to corrode where the spark jumps.
     
  3. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #3 Bullfighter, Sep 7, 2009
    I had a miss on the 328 last summer - turned out to be an ignition cable going bad.
     
  4. PittsS2APilot

    PittsS2APilot Formula Junior

    Jun 29, 2007
    857
    Gulfport MS
    Full Name:
    Joe
    #4 PittsS2APilot, Sep 7, 2009
    As stated before, clean the dist. contacts and rotor. You would also be amazed at what a new set of plug wires will do for any car. Joe
     
  5. RockinRon

    RockinRon Rookie

    May 26, 2009
    32
    Sunbury, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Ron Fuller
    #5 RockinRon, Sep 8, 2009
    Thank you for the suggestions, I'll get started on them as soon as the new plug wires show up. On a related note, any tips from those who have been there, done that on the best (easiest) way to get the distributor caps off? Looks like there are 3 screws with the bottom one being tricky to reach and I don't even know how to begin to work my arm and tools to get the one closest to the front cylinders. Is anything going to pop out because it is spring loaded that I should be aware of?

    I was already thinking about how Italian hands must be smaller than my american paws as I was replacing the spark plugs on the front cylinders. Nice placement of a support bar. ;)

    Thanks in advance!
     
  6. 2dinos

    2dinos F1 Rookie

    Jan 13, 2007
    3,023
    #6 2dinos, Sep 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    this was hidden under the boot of my coil wire. The wires had only ~700 miles on them. Ran much better after trimming back and new connector crimped on.
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  7. mustardfj40

    mustardfj40 Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2004
    1,142
    Northen California
    Full Name:
    Ken
    #7 mustardfj40, Sep 9, 2009
    I used an 1/4" 10mm (or smaller? I'm too old remember the exact size) socket with an extension to get between the wires to the bottom screw, gently push the wires apart, there should be enough space to get the socket/extension through. I removed the distributor straight out horizontally because there's a very expensive rotor inside so didn't to put any pressure on it.
     
  8. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
    BANNED Professional Ferrari Technician

    Apr 26, 2006
    3,664
    New England
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    David Feinberg
    #8 fastradio, Sep 9, 2009
    Exactly...except the distributor bolts have an 8mm head. I use a 1/4" drive socket with a wobbly drive. Pretty straight forward removal.

    Best,
    David
     
  9. RockinRon

    RockinRon Rookie

    May 26, 2009
    32
    Sunbury, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Ron Fuller
    #9 RockinRon, Sep 16, 2009
    Just to close the loop on this thread, I replaced the plugs, plug wires, extenders and cleaned the metal in the distributor cap with sandpaper this weekend and the miss seems to be gone! I've driven it over 100 miles since and can't hear or feel a miss. Thank you very much to the people here on FerrariChat - saved me a service visit and I actually had fun wrenching on my car. I don't do that for a living so it was a nice change of pace. Though in all fairness, you wouldn't have been able to tell I was enjoying it as I wiggled my hands in through the back seat access panel to get to the bottom bolt on the right side distributor. If only I knew how to swear in Italian. :)

    Now to enjoy the car before the weather gets crummy here in Ohio.
     

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