3200GT - Head Gasket ?

[Ravix]

I posted previously about my 3200GT struggling to fire up on start, driving it more over Christmas helped a lot but it has recently been struggling again, notably when it's been stood for a couple of hours or more. Once initially started, it sounds and feels very spluttery and is way off power, after about 10-15 mins, it warms up and is fine.

I've had to top up the coolant twice since Xmas (at least a litre) and it's not an every day car. There are no obviously milky deposits on the oil dipstick (or oil in the coolant) but exhausts pipes are notably sooty (not sure how normal this is).

RE: Topic Title, Should I fear the worst? What's it likely to cost on a 3200?
For info, I only had the 32000 mile service approx 2500 miles ago.

[3200gt]

Ravix,
mail Nigelo or wicked1 through their profiles. Both are very knowledgable about 3200's.
Good luck

[fiaranoracer]

Hi there

i have had many years experience of both Maserati & Ferrari and would suggest in the first instance you get the crank sensor checked out. Quite a common problem really, my experience during my involvement with them was that that the mounting bracket would actually grow!!!! hard to beleive i know but we are talking fractions or milimeters here. get the adjustment checked out its critical. let me know how you get on

Cheers

[ravix]

3200gt said:

Ravix,
mail Nigelo or wicked1 through their profiles. Both are very knowledgable about 3200's.
Good luck

Thanks for that 3200GT, got some good suggestions from Mathew to check out.. (Copied below for anyone reading this thread in the future)

Although there can be problems with the head gaskets, at present I am not convinced this is the problem with your car. From the information you have given me I would suspect the problem is two fold.

The coolant loss is possibly the radiator or a pipe. The radiators are prone to leaking on one side from a seam but as the radiator cools down the seams seals.

The poor running when cold could be the air pump not working. When you start the car from stone cold you should hear a pump start and run for a short period. The pump warms the catalytic convertors up and is essential to protect the life of them.

I would suggest checking these steps first before anything else

[ravix]

fiaranoracer said:

get the crank sensor checked out.

Will look into this also and feed back once diagnosed. Thanks all

[nigelo]

Ravix

Sorry for the delay in replying. It is not possible to be certain from the info you have given whether the leaking coolant is related to the engine probs or not.

Coolant leaks
When you top up, I assume its with a completely cold engine and you leave a reasonable air gap in the header tank ie within Min / max marks. I also assume that after topping up, you have tried a short run just enough to get engine hot and then examine engine, cooling system and under car for any evidence of leaks. Finally, have the cooling system pressure checked and don't forget the header tank cap itself.

Engine
"Sooty exhausts" means little and is very subjective - I assume you don't have black smoke when carefully blipping the throttle when cold. You or your mechanic need to read all the plugs to understand what the engine is doing at this point and on what cylinder(s). Do this check with engine spluttering immediately after starting - Simply start engine from stone cold and switch off after say 5 seconds. A new set of plugs would be a good starting point for this and "may" be part of the problem. An "off colour" plug(s) will point to the cylinder(s) concerned so carefully note which came from where.

Before proceeding further, I would strongly suggest a full SD2/3 diagnostic check to be done which should provide a good insight - Insist on a full printout by the way. Fuel pressure may also be at fault which is easily checked at the rails.

Although a head gasket replacement is unlikely, it is possible. Having just spoken to Roberto Grimaldi on this issue, he has experienced a prob (though not with a 3200) where the HG leaked coolant into the cylinder during its cool down period after switch off but self sealed during operation. This allowed a small quantity of water to wet the plug causing starting and warm up probs until the plug dried out. A plug cut soon after starting as mentioned above will help identify this.

Whatever, headgasket replacement is going to be expensive and should only be done if you are 100% certain that is necessary.

Hope this helps

Edited by nigelo on Thursday 8th March 13:19

[3200ac]

"The coolant loss is possibly the radiator or a pipe. The radiators are prone to leaking on one side from a seam but as the radiator cools down the seams seals."

Am getting some coolant loss and sometimes a wisp of steam from front of bonnet whilst stationary - is this a symptom of radiator/pipe issue? If the radiator seam, what are the options i.e. can the seam be patched up properly, or a total replacement needed?

Cheers,
Mark

[wicked1]

It needs to be confirmed if it is the radiator, radiators can be overhauled or replaced. Choice is yours, we have them overhauled which is alot cheaper than originals, you preference though.

[mazzer3.2]

3200ac said:

"The coolant loss is possibly the radiator or a pipe. The radiators are prone to leaking on one side from a seam but as the radiator cools down the seams seals."

Am getting some coolant loss and sometimes a wisp of steam from front of bonnet whilst stationary - is this a symptom of radiator/pipe issue? If the radiator seam, what are the options i.e. can the seam be patched up properly, or a total replacement needed?

Cheers,
Mark

I get this occasionally too, a wisp of steam from the nearside front occasionally appears in traffic. Although I've done quite a few long runs recently and not needed to top up the coolant at all.

[3200ac]

thanks wicked - prompt and helpful as ever!

Could you confirm prices specs etc. - here's part number courtesy of EuroSpares...

www.eurospares.co.uk/partsListing.asp?M=3&Mo=697&A=1&B=41475&S=&ID4=1698111#

Maserati 3200 Assetto Corsa - WATER RADIATOR
Part No. 384000101
Superceded From Part No. 384000100

3200 Assetto Corsa 030/001 View Part Diagram
3200 GT 030/001 View Part Diagram
Quattroporte V8 Evoluzionne 020/001 View Part Diagram