Ghibli 2.8 GT advice
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Christopher
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Quick update - bought it today 
The car's being picked up on Monday and going straight to a nearby Maserati specialist to have the belt replaced and a service. The seller gave it a fresh MOT before the sale, Swiss MOT's are a bit trickier than UK ones to pass but are valid for 2 years. Also got a bit of a discount after some negotiation that should cover the cost of the service.
As soon as the car is all serviced and assuming the weather clears up next week I'll take a few pics. Can't wait to get out and drive it!!
Big thanks to all those who gave me a few tips and pointers on what to look for
The car's being picked up on Monday and going straight to a nearby Maserati specialist to have the belt replaced and a service. The seller gave it a fresh MOT before the sale, Swiss MOT's are a bit trickier than UK ones to pass but are valid for 2 years. Also got a bit of a discount after some negotiation that should cover the cost of the service.
As soon as the car is all serviced and assuming the weather clears up next week I'll take a few pics. Can't wait to get out and drive it!!
Big thanks to all those who gave me a few tips and pointers on what to look for
Christopher
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Picked up the Ghibli this evening
belts done and a service including all the fluids and seems to be running great!! Next on the list and quite soon is new tyres it currently has Michelin Pilot Sports with lots of tread left but they're at least 10 years old.
And I know this isn't what people want to hear but unfortunately I've had to do an economy run back home after I got to a petrol station but couldn't figure out how to open the fuel cap... Either I'm being really thick, or the fuel cap release button isn't working. Anyone has any hints for this?
belts done and a service including all the fluids and seems to be running great!! Next on the list and quite soon is new tyres it currently has Michelin Pilot Sports with lots of tread left but they're at least 10 years old.
And I know this isn't what people want to hear but unfortunately I've had to do an economy run back home after I got to a petrol station but couldn't figure out how to open the fuel cap... Either I'm being really thick, or the fuel cap release button isn't working. Anyone has any hints for this?
Christopher
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Fuel cap turns out to be just a blown fuse.
But as promised, a couple of pics
Sadly rain this weekend means not much chance for a play, so she's tucked away waiting for a drier day.
But as promised, a couple of pics
Sadly rain this weekend means not much chance for a play, so she's tucked away waiting for a drier day.
Christopher
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Yepp, about 30 minutes south of Fribourg. Do you know the region at all?
Cheers, seems to be a pretty rare combination!
No idea on the colour name, maybe some forum experts can help on that. It's a very dark metallic green, almost black when there isn't much light.
Bodywork looks better from a distance. For the age of the car it's not bad, but there's a few marks here and there. Along the edge of the driver's door is the worst, previous owner had a very narrow garage so I guess he kept opening the door against it. He also scraped the wing mirror a few times. And it has all the small swirl marks from automated car washes, but that should be easy enough to polish out. Bonnet has a few stone chips, normal for the age/mileage. And all 4 wheels are kerbed, nearside is the worst.
Andyk
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Fuel cap turns out to be just a blown fuse.
But as promised, a couple of pics
Sadly rain this weekend means not much chance for a play, so she's tucked away waiting for a drier day.
Now that I really like.....Lovely looking Ghibli...
ZAM400209
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well done Christopher-
that is a terrific example and with no hidden shocks after all- was there not a release for the fuel filler in the boot behind the carpet- a pull string perhaps? (that's a guess- I've never had a GT)
you've had great advice so far.
If the boot-switch-only-opens-boot-when-the-engine-is-off thing gets you down- I've a very convenient and invisible little mod involving 6 inches of wire and a diode I could send you...?
let me know.
(hey- I've got that stereo too in another car!)
that is a terrific example and with no hidden shocks after all- was there not a release for the fuel filler in the boot behind the carpet- a pull string perhaps? (that's a guess- I've never had a GT)
you've had great advice so far.
If the boot-switch-only-opens-boot-when-the-engine-is-off thing gets you down- I've a very convenient and invisible little mod involving 6 inches of wire and a diode I could send you...?
let me know.
(hey- I've got that stereo too in another car!)
Christopher
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Covered approx. 2500 miles since I bought her, and so far so good
A couple of thing's I've noticed, not sure if "they are all like that" or if it warrants closer inspection.
Firstly coolant temp, it seems to settle at 70° when cruising but goes up to 90° when pushing it a bit. At first I thought the thermostat might not be sealing correctly, but according to my local garage its normal for this engine. 70 seems a bit cold to me though.
Second thing is the diff, either it is very stiff or mine needs tweaking a bit. When pulling out of junctions and turning I get tyre squeal, even when being gentle with the throttle. Is this normal behaviour? I can't imagine it does much good to the cardan joint, it takes a fair bit of torque to make a tyre loose grip.
dickyb - yes it is verde tundra. Most people seem to think its black, until they see it up close.
ZAM - what did you think of that stereo? Either the Ghibli has a very poor antenna, or its a bit rubbish.
A couple of thing's I've noticed, not sure if "they are all like that" or if it warrants closer inspection.
Firstly coolant temp, it seems to settle at 70° when cruising but goes up to 90° when pushing it a bit. At first I thought the thermostat might not be sealing correctly, but according to my local garage its normal for this engine. 70 seems a bit cold to me though.
Second thing is the diff, either it is very stiff or mine needs tweaking a bit. When pulling out of junctions and turning I get tyre squeal, even when being gentle with the throttle. Is this normal behaviour? I can't imagine it does much good to the cardan joint, it takes a fair bit of torque to make a tyre loose grip.
dickyb - yes it is verde tundra. Most people seem to think its black, until they see it up close.
ZAM - what did you think of that stereo? Either the Ghibli has a very poor antenna, or its a bit rubbish.
ZAM400209
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yes- the Ghibli does have a poor aerial!
The standard aerial is a combination bandwidth unit, which has a separate SMB cellular lead which is usually abandoned behind the rear seats/rear panels (LHS). A separate co-ax travels to the front to provide FM. Might be worth checking the front end though. I quite like those old Blaupunkts actually- and I went to some trouble recently to source a period Cassette (yes, cassette) unit of exactly the same type for my 'other' Italian car. There's not many headunits (let me re-phrase that) I have yet to find another headunit you can disable with removal of the credit card sized Keycard.
ANYWAY- don't get me started on that! I'm sure someone will have something to say!
I wouldn't worry about coolant temp until I had the following information;
do you drive nominally with the air conditioning on?
have you noticed the radiator fans cycling on and off happily?
If I start mine, from cold, (a month in the garage) I let it run for a little while before driving off, and if I leave it for nearly 10 minutes, I reach a temperature where the fans come on. This is with the AC off. That temperature is just about "80". I would place fan operation ahead of running issues first.
I don't think there's any 'tweaking' as such in the diff- although I know a man who does know as he rebuilt one.
How do you mean- when you pull away on a bend, one of the wheels spins? Can you post a picture of your diff as seen from under the rear bumper, Christopher?
The standard aerial is a combination bandwidth unit, which has a separate SMB cellular lead which is usually abandoned behind the rear seats/rear panels (LHS). A separate co-ax travels to the front to provide FM. Might be worth checking the front end though. I quite like those old Blaupunkts actually- and I went to some trouble recently to source a period Cassette (yes, cassette) unit of exactly the same type for my 'other' Italian car. There's not many headunits (let me re-phrase that) I have yet to find another headunit you can disable with removal of the credit card sized Keycard.
ANYWAY- don't get me started on that! I'm sure someone will have something to say!
I wouldn't worry about coolant temp until I had the following information;
do you drive nominally with the air conditioning on?
have you noticed the radiator fans cycling on and off happily?
If I start mine, from cold, (a month in the garage) I let it run for a little while before driving off, and if I leave it for nearly 10 minutes, I reach a temperature where the fans come on. This is with the AC off. That temperature is just about "80". I would place fan operation ahead of running issues first.
I don't think there's any 'tweaking' as such in the diff- although I know a man who does know as he rebuilt one.
How do you mean- when you pull away on a bend, one of the wheels spins? Can you post a picture of your diff as seen from under the rear bumper, Christopher?
Christopher
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I drive both with/without aircon depending on what I feel like. With aircon it holds temp a bit better. Fans come on/off normally, I think around 85 or so triggers them.
Did a small roadtrip round the Alps last weekend down to Monaco and back. Under heavy load (going up mountain passes), it sits happily at 90 both with and without aircon. On medium loads it settles around 70 but going downhill I lose all temp. I'm not convinced its meant to operate like that, I would expect it to hold around 70 even going down a long pass.
And a few pics
Cracking car to drive on these roads, pulls really well out of the tight hairpins and picks up speed without fuss!
But I guess that's it for this year. She'll be getting a good clean then going into hibernation until next year after the roads are clear of salt.
Did a small roadtrip round the Alps last weekend down to Monaco and back. Under heavy load (going up mountain passes), it sits happily at 90 both with and without aircon. On medium loads it settles around 70 but going downhill I lose all temp. I'm not convinced its meant to operate like that, I would expect it to hold around 70 even going down a long pass.
And a few pics
Cracking car to drive on these roads, pulls really well out of the tight hairpins and picks up speed without fuss!
But I guess that's it for this year. She'll be getting a good clean then going into hibernation until next year after the roads are clear of salt.
CatmanV2
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I just think I need to have one parked next to this:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/catmanv2/8576419881/in/set-72157633052155686
And then we can have three cars that never move
C
Christopher
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You should definitely get one! Your Giulietta looks great, ever rarer than the Ghibli II these days.
Each time I see old Alfas it makes me miss my 164.
Each time I see old Alfas it makes me miss my 164.