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

 

Even if I don't succeed in helping you with your problems; and I do try, it would help other Maserati owners a great deal if you could let me know how you managed to solve your problems. THANK YOU!

 
 
 

From Gert in Belgium:

 

Re: Ghibli/ Biturbo engine number:

"Enrico,

Can you help me with the following:

I was looking for the engine number (stamped into the engine block). I couldn't find it.

I phoned two Maserati dealers to get the location of this number. The first told me it would be a hard job, because of the siting they had put it (you have to work with mirrors!).

The second, who had a Ghibli Cup engine not build in so easy to find you would think, but even he had some trouble finding the number.

Now you off course know my question, can you tell me where it is? Can you make a photo of your engine (or some other) and point out the location for me?

Is it at the same place as in a 'normal' 2.0 Ghibli?

Gert."

 
 

Reply from Enrico:

 

Re: Finding the Ghibli/ Biturbo engine number:

"Here are two photos kindly sent in by David Askew showing the location of the engine number on all Biturbo engined cars.

Is it siuated at the rear of the left-hand side (looking from the front of the car) cylinder bank, where the engine meets the gearbox bellhousing.

Enrico."

 
 
 
 
 

From Wolfgang in Germany:-

 

Re: Trident badges:

"Dear Enrico!

First of all, please excuse my bad English.

My question is of general interest. It concerns to the oval label of Maserati at the hood, which was used until the 70th - and now again for Coupé, Spyder and Quattroporte. Normally, the Trident and 'Maserati' is outlined by a blue line (see the start-up picture of your homepage). But in some special cases this line is red, especially at cars of the 50's and early 60's (I have such a label, I can send you a digi-pic if you want).

My information is that originally only racing Maserti where fitted with this badge. And indeed, a lot of Birdcages have the red one. But not all - and as well some Indys or Mistrals have the red one. Perhaps this is an effect of the spare part situation.

Do you have any idea for the reason of blue and red?

Best wishes from Germany,

Wolfgang."

 
 
 
 

HELPFUL INFORMATION from Bob in the UK:-

 

Re: Replacement valves:

Valves can be sourced from G&S Valves Ltd of Godalming, Surrey. Manufactures of internal combustion engine valves for all engines, original valve suppliers to most of the race teams.

Phone: 01483 415444

Fax: 01483 429726

Email: gsvalves@aol.com

Web site: www.gsvalves.co.uk

Bob."

 
 
 
 

HELPFUL INFORMATION from Henri in France:-

 

Re: Biturbo problems:

REPLACEMENT STARTER:

"I had this problem also on a 2.8, but never on the 4 other 2 liter I had.

It turns out that the engine is the same on the starters of the 6 cylinder Citroen XM and Peugeot 605. Therefore, keep the reductor and change the engine and you should save a lot of money."

PRESSURE PROBLEM ON TURBO AND WATER TEMPERATURE:

"In case of water temperature problems, the first thing I recommend, is to look at the 2 relays which control the blowers/fans. Usually the fuse gets loose because it has more or less melted. Changing by relays with a new fuse holder should solve the problem.

Regarding the turbo pressure, I think that some cars have some sort of gas pressure regulator which is prone to fail without notice. However, I dont know how to check this."

OVERHEATING:

"I strongly recommend also, in the case of overheating, to look at the relays of the fans. They all have a fuse on top of them, this fuse looks always fine, but the contacts are always bad because the pressure which maintains those fuses in place has "vanished" a little bit. The reason of this lower pressure is that the body of the fuse, generally a colored plastic holding the metal of the fuse itself, has melt because of the heat dissipated by the contact resistance. Sometimes the fuse looks 'squizzed'."

USEFUL TIP:

"My experience with 5 Biturbos may help new owners to enjoy their cars. I know it can be a nightmare sometimes.

Another thing also, I see that one reader, may be an Italian, recommends to get rid of all the relays and put new ones; I also strongly recommend to do this first, even if the car runs fine. I also recommend to check all the groundings/earths of the car. It's self explanatory once you start the car, put the lights and measure the voltage drop between the centre of the battery "minus" and several other supposed grounds on the car. Another recommendation is to check the various sensors with an ohmmeter. They are easily accessible and in 10 minutes you have a good idea of the most sensitive components. Last recommendation: keep a spare rev sensor, the sensor which is on the toothwheel on the camshaft or on the crankshaft.

This in mind, the reliability of the Biturbo is not worse than any other car, at least for injection models.

Best regards,

Henri."

 
 
 
 

HELPFUL INFORMATION from Jarle in Norway:-

 

Re: Biturbo used parts:

"Hello!

Once again, thank you for a great site.

There is one thing I have been wondering about. Do you know David Askew?

In Europe there are not to many people selling used Maserati parts, but he does. He has a lot of really good used parts, and he is also a 100% trustworthy and nice fella! He is my major parts supplier, and has saved me from HIGHLY expensive repairs several times.

I know for sure a lot of people do not know of him, and I truly feel he is a huge resource for the Maserati community.

web.onetel.net.uk/~davidaskew/maserati/

Anyway, just wanted to tell you so.

Sincere greetings,

Jarle."

 
 
 
 

Leighton in New Zealand writes:

 
 

"Hi there,

I just love your website! I keep visiting over and over learning new things each time! Its great to see such interest in these amazing machines!

I have an odd question...

I am in New Zealand but have seen a few cars on your for sale page that are of interest and might be looking at purchasing my first Maserati sometime soon...However I've been told that some models may not meet safety regulations here in NZ. I've tried to find out more details but of course government departments are completely unhelpful! If I were to purchase a Maserati from Europe (say England) would details of compliance in England come with the vehicle? Is there any way of finding out from the manufacturer what safety standards the Maserati was built to so i could check with regulations here?

I am asking at the moment in relation to the 1991 SE for sale on your website, but this may change to another Maserati model if it gets sold or something else comes along.

Many thanks for your time,

Leighton."

 
 
 
 

Geoff in the USA writes:

 
 

"Dear Sir,

I am writing to you concerning a steering column check that I would advise all Biturbo owners to carry out annually.

The attached diagram 'steering-checka.gif' illustrates the simple check that owners should carry out or have carried out.

 
 

"The part that requires checking is the rubber bushing 'A' which stabilises the steering column. Over a period of time, this part has been known to harden and break apart! If this were to happen, the shaft of steering column 'C' would rub against part 'B'. An annual check can prevent this problem!

Regards,

Geoff."

 
 
 
 

Samer in Jordan writes:

 

"Dear Sir,

I am rebuilding my Ligier engine and I got caught in timing problems.

Could you provide me with the proper timing settings?

Regards,

Samer."

 
 
 
 

"If your restoring a Maserati, I can help you!"

 

Kevin in the US writes:

 

"Dear P. Henry,

I am writing you this letter after I visited your website at www.maseratighibli.co.uk.

I am in business for myself in Dayton, Ohio manufacturing special prototype tooling for various types of industries. I have been recently leaning more towards specialty parts for the classic automotive industry. I have been supplying specialty tools and parts to a few dealers and restorers here in the States.

I have a small tooling shop here in Dayton with low overhead. My pricing is very competitive. Do you know of any dealers or restorers that have any specialty needs such as lazer, welded, bend details, lathe work, machining center or manual Bridgeport work, coated details (zinc chromate, powder coating), or high luster finish details that I might be able to help them with?

If you could give me some feedback on different suppliers, or dealer restorers that I could get in contact with it would help me in my search!

I have several pictures of the work that we do. I would be glad to share them with some interested restorers!!

Thank you for your time,

Kevin Gibson."

Tel: 001 937 545-8199

Fax: 001 937 864-0275

E-mail: kgibson5@woh.rr.com

 
 
 
 
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