My 222 isn't feeling very well.
Can you help? Please! |
| |
|
Any owner having a problem with their Maserati can send me details and I will publish these, together
with any subsequent advice I receive, on this page.
Just drop me a line at maserati123@btopenworld.com |
| |
 |
| |
Stuart from the UK writes: |
| |
"Hi,
I've got a 91 222SE and I've got coolant leaking around the head bolts on top of the cylinder head, its collecting around the bottom of the inlet manifold.
Is this a major problem to worry about?
Stuart." |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Andy:-
|
Re: 222SE leaking.
|
"Hi Stuart,
Leaking coolant coming up through the head bolts is quite common. In most cases, it can be halted by adding a 'Bars Leak' to the cooling system and you should certainly try this before worrying about it. Otherwise, it is caused by a weakening of the head gasket material around the bolt holes which can only be fully cured by fitting new gaskets. 99% of the time, this is not necessary.
Cheers,
Andy." |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Julia from the UK writes: |
| |
"Hello from the UK,
I have a 222SE 1992 and have had this problem for a year or more. The car
intermittentely won't start.
The engine turns over but their is no supply to
the plugs, no spark.
I leave the car sometimes for days, sometimes an hour
then it will start immediately. On one occasion I have had the car cut out
when I have only been driving it for minutes and then will not restart.
Do you have any knowledge of what might be the problem?
Many thanks
Julia." |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Andy:-
|
Re: 222SE not starting.
|
"Hi Julia,
There are various things that could be causing this. First stop would be the fused relays on the side of the front suspension turret which govern fuel injection and ignition. If there are no problems there then you could try changing the crankshaft sensor. It is more usual for them to fail completely but in some cases can cause this kind of problem."
Cheers,
Andy." |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Laurynas from Lithuania writes: |
| |
"Hello,
The guys from the garage I took my car to, called me
today and they told me that they found out the sensor
is the same used on FIAT Croma. Can you confirm that?
Thanks a lot for the help and happy Maserati motoring,
Laurynas.
An extremely frustrated Maserati owner." |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Andy:-
|
Re: 222E.
|
"Hi Laurynas,
Er, it might be! We have never tried this but I know that the Croma used a similar Weber Marelli injection system and that the air and water sensors are the same. Probably down to whether the electrical connecting plug is the same. Worth a try.
Cheers,
Andy." |
| |
|
|
| |
Good news from Laurynas:
"Ciao Enrico,
Maserati is repaired!!!
The sensor from FIAT Croma was fitted earlier today
and the car started on the first try!
The sensor itself is $27, so I consider this a very
cheap substitute for a Maserati part. Thanks a lot for
the help and advise.
Up the Maseratis,
Laurynas." |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Laurynas from Lithuania writes: |
| |
"Hello,
This night driving my '88 222E home I hit the ground with the engine, which immediately came to a halt. Apart from cracked oil pan (so long for my $100 worth of Castrol RS I changed only today) the engine would not re-start. The problem is really weird, because I am not getting spark anymore. I tested if the power reaches the ignition coils and it does. The distribution belt also did not break, for I can see the camshaft rotating. The sensor on the crankshaft pulley also looks OK. The fuel pump is running.
The car was running perfectly well for a year - I only had a few minor problems with the fuse box, which I managed to fix myself. There is no Maserati mechanic in Lithuania (this is where I live) and the official FIAT dealer, that also sells Maseratis only has the equipment to deal with 3200 GT - they would simply not admit me with my "anachronism".
I love the car and would be sorry not to be able to enjoy it because of such a ridiculous problem, therefore I was wondering if your friend Andy could give me an advise on this issue.
Thanks in advance,
Laurynas.
An extremely frustrated Maserati owner." |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Andy:-
|
Re: 222E.
|
"Hi Laurynas,
This problem will be the crankshaft sensor which is mounted on the front of the engine underneath the front crankshaft pulley. It has a tendency to go open circuit after a knock.
Hope this helps,
Andy." |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
JR from Spain writes: |
| |
"Hello,
I own a Maserati 222 SE 2800 c.c. (1990), manual gearbox, with KONI
electronic suspension.
Whats de mission of the black cylindrical box with a sealed plug (with some
white letters) ? It can be found when you look to the engine (outdoors) ,
right to the radiator.
There are some rubber pipes growing from the box. Where do they go to?
Another question...
Turbochargers dont work, neither the manometer (the gauge doesnt goes up
properly). Up to now the worked perfectly, but since I left the car in the
workshop to change some pieces they dont work correctly.
What kind of troubles are these?
I use the car few days and I dont boost it fast.
Excuse my poor English (I'm Spanish).
Thank you.
Yours sincerely...
JR.Menendez." |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Andy:-
|
Re: 222SE.
|
"Hi JR,
The black box you mention is probably a carbon canister for emission control. The pipework should go to the fuel system but you would have to look in a workshop manual for exactly where.
If your turbochargers were OK when the car went into the shop and now they are not, the most common problem is that one of the turbo pipes has become dislodged and all your boost is being lost. Check out the pipes, especially the two that are the pressure pipes from the turbos.
Hope this helps,
Andy." |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Mirko from Switzerland writes: |
| |
"Salve Enrico...
I'm from Switzerland (Zürich) and I drive a 1990 222E, which I bought 6 months ago in perfect condition (69,000 km, 2nd owner, perfectly maintained, all services done at the same Maserati specialist etc.)
I went to Italy, Austria with it, drove it in the city...never had any problems with it. I love that car. Until last weekend.
I drove to Italy (Liguria) and on my way back the car suddenly had a "blackout" for a second: the lights went out, everything "electronic" and then went on again with all the red warning lights
glowing on the dashboard (excuse my English. It's getting way too technical now).
Then everything went to normal again. After a while the "thing" occured again and again,
mostly when I was pushing the brake or changing gear. All this during night time on the autostrada.
Madonna!
Have you ever heard of such a phenomenon?
My garagista hasn't.
The engine or battery was/is OK! The strange thing was the "rumble/rattle/stutter" going through the car during the blackout-moments. Anyway, I gave up and called the touring patrol and went home by train.
H E L P!
Can you, please?
Thank you very much for any response/advice.
Donne e Motori, Gioie e Dolori.... Women and Cars, Joy and Pain.
Best regards,
Mirko |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Mirko (Andy has been away on holiday!):-
|
Re: 222E.
|
"Ciao Enrico...
Phew!!!!
La Maserati è riparata.
Apparently it was just the plug of one of the two main cables between the battery and fuse box which was oxidated and showing traces of heat...this has been replaced and the car is OK again.
What I didn't tell you is that I made the same the same experience as George (your first Biturbo story) did with the passenger's seat earlier on that trip. I somehow managed to click around on the seat adjustment switch to the normal position and didn't touch it any further (just thought that I would let it fix on my return) but I noticed that the wires to the switch had gotten very hot. Do you think that what happened later on maybe had something to do with that (fuse-box)?
Oh man if I only knew more about engines/mechanics...
I need a (Maserati) basics course from zero (and I mean zero).
I just have the small standard booklet which comes with the car (lengthy format).
Thanks,
Mirko." |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Andy (He's back!):-
|
Re: 222E.
|
"Hi Mirko,
Short answer for a long question, but this really does sound like a problem with the fusebox. They are not expensive so you should put a new one in (which takes about one hour).
Hope this helps,
Mirko." |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Jarle from Norway writes: |
| |
"Dear Enrico,
I have a 1986 2.5 ES.
I have traced a 92 222 4V from Sweden as a parts car. It has 70000 kms on the clock before the crash. All of the engine is there except the turbos and some of the cooling system are missing.
I am wondering about doing an engine swap.
How much work will this involve in hours (approx.)?
I am basically trying to get an idea on how much work this
will be, and if it's worth it.
Have a nice day,
Jarle." |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Andy:-
|
Re: Engine swop!
|
"Dear Jarle,
Never tried to do this particular swop before. However as always the problems you will face will be mostly to do with ancillary items and especially electrics. I am not sure if your 2.5ES has intercoolers but if it doesnt then you will have to fit these to make the 4v engine work and that will mean junking the Air conditioning radiator as there is not enough room on an early car to accomodate everything. The ECUs will be different and I am not sure that the wiring connections will be the same. Also, you will have to be careful about matching your ZF gearbox to the 4v engine as most of these used Getrag boxes and I think that the flywheel and clutch will be different.
Unfortunately, I cannot give you any idea how many hours all this will take. I have to say that it is probably not worth all the work as although the 4v engine is definitely more powerful, it is not as smooth and you may find that you regret it!!
Regards,
Andy." |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Jan from Germany writes: |
| |
"Hi,
I´m planning to buy a 222 SR (´93 model) with an automatic gearbox. It has a complete history up to 47.000km. Now it has some 74.000 km. Only one owner though. The price would be around 8.500 Euro. Is this a fair price? Could you please give me some advice I should look for. I´m really enthusiastic about getting this car, but I don´t want to make a bad mistake.
Thank you!
Jan." |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Andy:-
|
Re: 222 SR.
|
"Hi Jan,
This sounds like a lot of car for the money and the mileage is good also. The automatics are nice to drive and the box is very reliable. You should carry out all the usual checks for rust in the body (bottoms of the doors, bootlid edge, bonnet and front wing edges and bulkhead). You should try to find out what happened after the service history stopped. The engine should have had it's cambelt changed at 40,000 kms and it will need doing again at 80,000 kms.
On the engine, check for smoke when idling hot which could indicate turbo wear, check for oil leaks from the engine, gearbox, power steering and axle.
Check underneath the car to make sure that the chassis rails are straight - the first sign of accident damage.
Check that all the electrical functions work OK, especially things like the windows, which are expensive to fix and the air conditioning.
It is always best to get an expert to carry out an inspection on these cars as there are many more possible problems.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
Andy." |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Daren in the UK writes: |
| |
"Hi,
Can you please tell me the cost of a stainless steel exhaust system for my Biturbo would cost?
How much should I value the car for, for insurance purposes?
It's a 1989 222E and I am the eighth owner and it has now covered 50,000 miles. It is in excellent condition!
Thanks,
Daren." |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Andy:-
|
Re: Stainless Steel Exhaust.
|
"Hi Daren,
A complete stainless steel exhaust system for a 222E costs GB £696 plus VAT from Bill McGrath. They are also available from London Stainless Steel Co (tel 0044 (0)207 622 2120) at similar price but they will tailor-make to the car for no extra cost which is recommended.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
Andy." |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Laszlo from Hungary writes: |
| |
"Hello Enrico,
I hope you are OK and your Ghibli is also doing fine.
Concerning my 222 I have a problem now with. The idle just suddenly fall down and now I hardly can start it and when it is running there are a black smog comeing out of the exhausts like the engine getting outrageous much petrol and can not burn it. If you know someone I can contact by mail please share with me his name.
Best regards,
Laszlo " |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Andy:- |
| |
Re: 222.
This one sounds relatively simple actually. The most likely cause fo the fault he describes is that either the air temperature or water temperature sensors for the fuel injection are faulty. These are on the top of the engine with the sir one plumbed into the inlet pipes just before the throttle body and the water one in the thermostat housing. The air one is brown in colour, the water one is blue.
To check, you ideally need to replace with another unit, but it sounds so bad that it should be clear cut.
Run the engine at idle, pull off the wiring to the water temp sensor and see if there is any change. If there is no change to the engine, then that sensor is not doing anything and therefore is faulty. If there is a change, then try the same procedure with the other one.
What is actually happening is that the faulty sensor is telling the computer that the engine is too lean and so the mixture is being enriched to compensate. You should also try a gas analyser in the exhaust. With the problem you describe, you can expect the CO reading to be about 9/10% whereas after repair, it should return to normal 2/2.5%.
If one of the sensors is faulty then you have no choice but to renew it, which is a simple job. Best to buy a Maserati part if you can, but alternatively, this system was used on Lancia Thema/Delta as well as Ford Cosworth if that is any easier.
WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T START MESSING WITH THE FUEL PRESSURE AS I HAVE NEVER EVER SEEN A FAULTY FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR.
Ciao,
Andy. |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Rodrigo in Portugal writes: |
| |
"Hi Enrico,
I bought a 1988 Maserati 222 Si Biturbo a short while ago with 85,000km on the clock.
I love the car, but I have a big problem with it.
After driving the car for about one hour the engine stops and won´t restart.
After about 40 to 50 minutes rest it starts and one hour later the engine stops again.
After another 40 to 50 minutes rest it started again...
Another problem it´s when the engine is at 4000 rpm it failed but continue the trip.
In this moment I have changed the spark plugs, the ignition leads, the debimeter, the fuel filter,
the fuel pump and I have cleaned out the fuel tank. I have tested all the fuses, condensator and the bobins.
I am in the process of cleaning the fuel injectors.
PLEASE HELP ME GIVE ME YOUR OPINION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Thanks and Best Regards
Rodrigo." |
| |
|
|
| |
Reply from Andy Heywood:- |
| |
Sounds like two separate problems.
The first is seems curious. Obviously something is going open circuit when the car gets hot.
This could be a number of things and really, I would need more information.
However, the first things to check would be the battery earth to the body and then the crankshaft sensor which signals the fuel injection. There is a conncetion for this behind the cam belt which is tricky to reach and could be being affected. However, when displaying the symptoms, it would be relatively easy to go round with a resistance meter and check for open circuits.
The second one of the engine stopping at 4,000 rpm sounds like a rotor arm problem.
Hope this helps. |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
