3200 A Few Problems

[sdlangford]

Hi,

I recently purchased a 3200 GT which i love.

Its manual (yes manual not auto) and drives lovely.

Well it does sometimes.

I have a few issues which i need to get sorted at my local specialist, but thought i would ask the forum on their thoughts before i wade deep into the unknown with a new garage.

The issues i have are as follows;

1. I have had two occasions now, both after the car has not been driven in a while (bodyshop repairs) when i have pulled away from cold, come to the corener and there are no brakes, pedal goes to the floor. I pump the pedal and then everything is fine again and it does not happen again. My thinking was air in the brake system ?
2. The engine managment light has just come on. I do not have any throttle issues, so this one will have to be a plug into the compluter for diagnostics i guess.

Probably not enough to go on, but thought i would ask.

Will be calling my local specialist Monday.

I welcome anybodys advice etc.

Regards

Simon

 

[allandwf]

Oh! brakes sound dodgy, possibly slave cylinder? I had that in an Alfa once. What year is it, post 2001 would be good as it would be OBDII compliant and any generic reader would be able to read and clear them. Pre 2001 is a bit more hassle but doable.

 

[2b1ask1]

Brakes is likely to be ABS or more likely the master cylinder is worn and letting by, old school but if you sit your foot on the pedal for a minute does it steadily sink?

 

[sdlangford]

Its a 2000 model.

The pedal is firm and does not sink, but noticed a lot of dark bits in the reservoir earlier.

Simon

 

[allandwf]

Mine didn't sink either, sometimes just went to the floor, then could be pulled back up and be ok for a bit, until the day it stayed there! lol

 

[CatmanV2]

Dark bits not good!

C

 

[Danny]

Brakes: I put my money on a faulty Kayser Valve. http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/18695-Maserati-3200-Kaiser-Valve-quot-How-To-quot

Friend of mine had exactly the same symptons as you have, turned out to be the Kayser Valve

 

[beau]

Mine had to have a new kayser valve

 

[philw696]

Changed a couple of Kayser valves down here in NZ.
As the car has been sitting around flush and bleed the brake and clutch fluid with a quality fluid.

 

[BennyD]

Only a few problems? On a 3200? You've lucked in mate, she's a keeper!

 

[Contigo]

1. Keizer valve
2. Give it an Italian tune up and lean off the Lambda probes.

 

[BennyD]

3. Scrap it
4. Buy a 4200.

 

[allandwf]

3. Scrap it
4. Buy a 4200.

Then slowly revert it to a 3200

 

[Contigo]

3. Scrap it
4. Buy a 4200.

Way too safe and boring!

 

[alfatwo]

3. Scrap it
4. Buy a 4200.

80k on your old 4200 engine it'll will be scrap big time soon..lets face it mate, a small Fiat 500 would suite you far better!


Dave

 

[sdlangford]

Thanks for all the advice.

I seemed to have put a curse on myself.

This morning she will not start, just turning over with NO/ASR lights flashing on the dash.

No Engine Managment Light though.

I am hoping its just a poor battery as its been in the workshop for 3 weeks not running, so have it on charge to see if this helps.

Fingers crossed.

Otherwise shes going to be a nice red drive accessory this weekend.

Simon

 

[safrane]

Battery needs to be strong on these or its game over before you start... or not.

 

[conaero]

Then slowly revert it to a 3200

You've got him there!

 

[outrun]

You've got him there!

Yip. If only they actually made a 3200 Spyder eh Benny.

 

[sdlangford]

After a charge today, the 3200 GT fired back to life.

No warning lights, what a relief.

Just need to sort the brakes now.

Simon