Cross-posting... but in need of advice
Discussion
Sorry for the cross-post (also in the Fezza, Maser et al Forum) but maybe you guys can give some advice.
My Maserati 4200 (4.2L V8) was in good health until...
Got up today for a ride. Engine fires-up OK, move out of my driveway OK, cruise for about 2 miles OK... then I head into the A2, which (by the time I look down the slip road) I noticed was pack-solid. Luckily I was able to head into a relief road and though "good, I'm outta here". Smoothly up towards the exit, prepare to turn left (was on 1st by then, from a standstill as I had to stop because of an incoming vehicle), on the gas when... car chokes, chokes...
comes to a full-stop in a 45 degree angle, crossed on the carriageway of a rather busy road 
Able to start it again, moves just enough to pull myself out of that uncomfortable situation (as I was blocking all incoming traffic) but engine chokes, chokes again... then stops
Fire-it up yet again, starts and about 5 seconds afterwards chokes, chokes... now dead.
From there on, no way to start the engine again
Called AA Roadside Assistance, nice guy came-in, hooks an ODB scanner but no codes stored. Gave it a bit of charge to the battery (was slightly down but not dramatic) and nothing (the guy however was able to hear the gas pump actuating on ignition, so seems that's not it). Looked at the engine, all belts OK, but could it be the alternator? Tried about 5 more times. Misfired (turning, pop-pop) a couple of times but no start. Last attempts the ignition was sort-of jolting... like electrical. Gave-up. Next step: call a flatbed to pick-me up
Car now at home.
Interestingly, the car was driving fine. No dash warning lights. It could be something has re-setted the ECU and blocked the fuel-injection system? Electrical?
Only other issue, prior to this, was that I loaded a full tank of petrol at the ESSO station nearby Canary Wharf (on the roundabout heading towards City Airport).
Not the nicest of days... at least it was not raining
Hope someone here can give me 1 or 2 tips before hading to the dealer. TIA.
My Maserati 4200 (4.2L V8) was in good health until...
Got up today for a ride. Engine fires-up OK, move out of my driveway OK, cruise for about 2 miles OK... then I head into the A2, which (by the time I look down the slip road) I noticed was pack-solid. Luckily I was able to head into a relief road and though "good, I'm outta here". Smoothly up towards the exit, prepare to turn left (was on 1st by then, from a standstill as I had to stop because of an incoming vehicle), on the gas when... car chokes, chokes...
comes to a full-stop in a 45 degree angle, crossed on the carriageway of a rather busy road Able to start it again, moves just enough to pull myself out of that uncomfortable situation (as I was blocking all incoming traffic) but engine chokes, chokes again... then stops
Fire-it up yet again, starts and about 5 seconds afterwards chokes, chokes... now dead.
From there on, no way to start the engine again
Called AA Roadside Assistance, nice guy came-in, hooks an ODB scanner but no codes stored. Gave it a bit of charge to the battery (was slightly down but not dramatic) and nothing (the guy however was able to hear the gas pump actuating on ignition, so seems that's not it). Looked at the engine, all belts OK, but could it be the alternator? Tried about 5 more times. Misfired (turning, pop-pop) a couple of times but no start. Last attempts the ignition was sort-of jolting... like electrical. Gave-up. Next step: call a flatbed to pick-me up
Car now at home.
Interestingly, the car was driving fine. No dash warning lights. It could be something has re-setted the ECU and blocked the fuel-injection system? Electrical?
Only other issue, prior to this, was that I loaded a full tank of petrol at the ESSO station nearby Canary Wharf (on the roundabout heading towards City Airport).
Not the nicest of days... at least it was not raining
Hope someone here can give me 1 or 2 tips before hading to the dealer. TIA.
If you have no codes then something like fuel is a good bet.
How far did you drive after fueling?
A couple of miles should be sufficient to get the new fuel round the system so if you have been more than that then wrong fuel is unlikely plus the smoke would have been a giveaway. If the fuel was contaminated the effect would take longer. If it was me working on it I would have pulled a fuel pipe from the fuel rail and let it run into a petrol can to see if I had both flow and pressure but this is very silly and you should not try this at home. Try replacing the fuel filter. If that works then it may only last as long as before so cutting the old filter open may reveal what was clogging it.
There are a whole raft of other possibilities most of which you would expect to generate a code. It may be that the AA reader is not seeing some more manufacturer specific codes.
Best of luck.
Steve
How far did you drive after fueling?
A couple of miles should be sufficient to get the new fuel round the system so if you have been more than that then wrong fuel is unlikely plus the smoke would have been a giveaway. If the fuel was contaminated the effect would take longer. If it was me working on it I would have pulled a fuel pipe from the fuel rail and let it run into a petrol can to see if I had both flow and pressure but this is very silly and you should not try this at home. Try replacing the fuel filter. If that works then it may only last as long as before so cutting the old filter open may reveal what was clogging it.
There are a whole raft of other possibilities most of which you would expect to generate a code. It may be that the AA reader is not seeing some more manufacturer specific codes.
Best of luck.
Steve
Hiya there
Thanks for your reply. I would say it took about 6 miles (or spirited drive) for the problem to appear. Besides, before the fuel load the car sat 5 days in my driveway (not used during the week, as it is not my daily driver) so if fuel was contaminated, then I would have expected the (possibly heavier) contaminants to separate to the bottom of the tank. hence, it would have taken nothing but the warm-up cycle for the problem to show-up, and yet yesterday it took 1 to 2 extra miles to choke.
I must say it was a very, very dangerous situation and luckily it didn't happen in the (packed-solid) A2, approach which I decided to abort. Imagine going on the gas to move forward and the engine stalling out of nothing... would have been surely hit on the back.
Interesting it choked on turning out of the relief lane, after climbing to the exit road for 80 yards or so from the A2. If the fuel pump was toast, then the engine would have starved immediately. Or not?
I'll try to see how difficult it is to change the fuel filter, otherwise it is back on a flatbet to the dealer, not amusing.
TIA
Ed
Thanks for your reply. I would say it took about 6 miles (or spirited drive) for the problem to appear. Besides, before the fuel load the car sat 5 days in my driveway (not used during the week, as it is not my daily driver) so if fuel was contaminated, then I would have expected the (possibly heavier) contaminants to separate to the bottom of the tank. hence, it would have taken nothing but the warm-up cycle for the problem to show-up, and yet yesterday it took 1 to 2 extra miles to choke.
I must say it was a very, very dangerous situation and luckily it didn't happen in the (packed-solid) A2, approach which I decided to abort. Imagine going on the gas to move forward and the engine stalling out of nothing... would have been surely hit on the back.
Interesting it choked on turning out of the relief lane, after climbing to the exit road for 80 yards or so from the A2. If the fuel pump was toast, then the engine would have starved immediately. Or not?
I'll try to see how difficult it is to change the fuel filter, otherwise it is back on a flatbet to the dealer, not amusing.
TIA
Ed
OK, gone back to the car... no ignition whatsoever (does not even crank). Seems battery is either toast or too low, even though I hear all pumps (F1 transmission notably) firing-up, and all electrics seem up and running, but could be using the remaining power.
Will call the AA guy to give me a charge and try again. Dammit.
Will call the AA guy to give me a charge and try again. Dammit.
Right, made an inspection of fluids...
Engine coolant reservoir is completely dry, so wonder if there is a sensor which shuts-down the engine if there is no coolant (otherwise you would blow-it up). Interesting the dash temp sensor NEVER showed a temp problem. Could not check oil as I could not start the engine, but made a reading about a month ago and it was OK.
Any feedback guys? TIA
Ed
Engine coolant reservoir is completely dry, so wonder if there is a sensor which shuts-down the engine if there is no coolant (otherwise you would blow-it up). Interesting the dash temp sensor NEVER showed a temp problem. Could not check oil as I could not start the engine, but made a reading about a month ago and it was OK.
Any feedback guys? TIA
Ed
Right, the lack of coolant would alarm me, but top it up and if it only takes a small amount of coolant then dont worry too much about it, and try and start car again. The point about it being a low coolant sensor is a valid one, but a bit unlikely on an Italian. If it takes a lot of coolant then there is a problem that may or may not be associated. The engine starting and then cutting after 5 seconds would lead me to look at the alarm / immobiliser first.
this might have nothing to do with it but where did you last fill up at????
there appears to be alot of "contaminated" fuel at supermarkt garages.
i personaly think Tescos are trying to make us go green by using E85 but not telling us! lol
sorry about your car! really hope you get it sorted soon.
thanks CHris.
there appears to be alot of "contaminated" fuel at supermarkt garages.
i personaly think Tescos are trying to make us go green by using E85 but not telling us! lol
sorry about your car! really hope you get it sorted soon.
thanks CHris.
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