Idle dropping

[CatmanV2]

Odd one (ish), although I *suspect* it's time for a new battery.

When in P or N of any period of time the idle drops like it's about to stall out, recovers and repeats every 3-5 seconds. At no point does it actually stall or really sound like it's going to. Having listened to Mrs C's Giulietta do something very similar on cold starts, and noticing it was eliminated by a new battery, I'm wondering if this could be the root of the issue. No idea how old the battery is.

Any better guesses?

No other warnings or lights (other than the occasional glitches that seem to crop up with any well used car)

Cheers

C

 

[philw696]

Check for air leaks.

 

[CatmanV2]

Check for air leaks.

Will do

C

 

[CatmanV2]

@Zep and move this one as well? Not having a good day that day!

So had it checked over yesterday. Initial view is no obvious air leak. Stick throttle body is a route of investigation because
a) It doesn't always do it
b) The underside of the link pipe is sticky with something....

So looking at Scuderia figured £20 for the link and only £200 for the TB, may as well get a new one...

..except the link is on back order from the factory, with no ETA and the TB has a 3-4 week lead! FFS!

So plan B: disconnect the link. Check condition, clean up. Clean up TB as best possible, refit and see what's what.

C

 

[CatmanV2]

Plan B executed. So far this seems rather better. Early days but fingers crossed

C

 

[Big lou]

Mine does the same intermittently. Never noticed until I saw your thread. Any updates? Is it even that much of an issue?

 

[CatmanV2]

Mine does the same intermittently. Never noticed until I saw your thread. Any updates? Is it even that much of an issue?

Way better but not sure if I'm happy with it. If you come to a stop the first couple of 'cycles' cause a blip, but then it settles to a pretty steady 700 ish. I'm going to let it run for a while, and if it still annoys, probably put a throttle body on it.

Previously it was definitely an issue. Engine felt like it was very close to dieing.

C

 

[Big lou]

Way better but not sure if I'm happy with it. If you come to a stop the first couple of 'cycles' cause a blip, but then it settles to a pretty steady 700 ish. I'm going to let it run for a while, and if it still annoys, probably put a throttle body on it.

Previously it was definitely an issue. Engine felt like it was very close to dieing.

C

Very weird. Mine kind of feels like it searching a bit but only rarely. They seem a little spluttery when cold. But much smoother when warm

 

[conaero]

Check for air leaks.

This. If you have a can of brake and clutch cleaner spray it around the intake and listen for revs rising.

Also, pull the plastic engine cover off and look at the front intake for split, very common

 

[CatmanV2]

This. If you have a can of brake and clutch cleaner spray it around the intake and listen for revs rising.

Also, pull the plastic engine cover off and look at the front intake for split, very common

We did, but couldn't find anything. Where do they split, @conaero ? That stupid link pipe is currently not available!

C

 

[conaero]

Where the Y pipe comes up the front of the engine where it goes under the plastic pull off engine cover, right there. Done loads.

I cut the stud off the underside of the cover and file it flat as this is what I believe splits the pipe.

 

[CatmanV2]

Where the Y pipe comes up the front of the engine where it goes under the plastic pull off engine cover, right there. Done loads.

I cut the stud off the underside of the cover and file it flat as this is what I believe splits the pipe.

Ahh. You're talking about this spacer? Part 2?

https://www.scuderiacarparts.com/part-finder/maserati/ghibli/oe/347/3803/67024

We did check it, no sign of issues. Sam removed it to clean the throttle body.

Cheers

C

 

[CJ Romeo]

I sometimes get this, not on a cold start, but a minute or so after. Sometimes on a hot start, rarely mid run, I’ll have a look and try the brake clean test.

Seems like a misfire, but none detected and no codes, so an air leak makes sense.

 

[CatmanV2]

Mine only does / did it when hot, and stationary. This morning it really was much better

C

 

[philw696]

Mine only does / did it when hot, and stationary. This morning it really was much better

C

I'm sure you're giving her some Italian Tune Ups Chris.
One other thing you could try is a Good fuel system treatment something from Forté.

Forté Lubricants

Forté is the UK's leading supplier of engine treatments and is used in over 9000 garages.

www.forteuk.co.uk

 

[Big lou]

I sometimes get this, not on a cold start, but a minute or so after. Sometimes on a hot start, rarely mid run, I’ll have a look and try the brake clean test.

Seems like a misfire, but none detected and no codes, so an air leak makes sense.

Does it almost sound like a little ‘click’ then a small dip in revs. This is what mine does also

 

[CatmanV2]

Does it almost sound like a little ‘click’ then a small dip in revs. This is what mine does also

Not really. It was a very pronounced drop in revs. Nearly to dieing at some points. Was beginning to make low speed manoeuvres interesting. It never actually died, but it felt pretty damned close.

However, as of this morning, much more stable. A very small dip every few seconds, but that I can imagine is normal (of course I think my car has always done this to a greater or lesser extent so I have no real idea what 'normal' is) However it's far more confident now. I shall give it a couple of weeks. I'm in Cambs tomorrow, then Leeds on Monday and off to Cromer on Friday so there will be some miles on her this week

C

 

[Big lou]

Not really. It was a very pronounced drop in revs. Nearly to dieing at some points. Was beginning to make low speed manoeuvres interesting. It never actually died, but it felt pretty damned close.

However, as of this morning, much more stable. A very small dip every few seconds, but that I can imagine is normal (of course I think my car has always done this to a greater or lesser extent so I have no real idea what 'normal' is) However it's far more confident now. I shall give it a couple of weeks. I'm in Cambs tomorrow, then Leeds on Monday and off to Cromer on Friday so there will be some miles on her this week

C

Wicked. I had a good look over mine and no air leaks etc, much just be one of those things

 

[Big lou]

Not really. It was a very pronounced drop in revs. Nearly to dieing at some points. Was beginning to make low speed manoeuvres interesting. It never actually died, but it felt pretty damned close.

However, as of this morning, much more stable. A very small dip every few seconds, but that I can imagine is normal (of course I think my car has always done this to a greater or lesser extent so I have no real idea what 'normal' is) However it's far more confident now. I shall give it a couple of weeks. I'm in Cambs tomorrow, then Leeds on Monday and off to Cromer on Friday so there will be some miles on her this week

C

Have you bit the bullet on the resonator delete yet

 

[CJ Romeo]

No click from me, almost like you’ve instantly dropped it into the wrong gear, other times just a bit of kangaroo petrol.