3200 ABS Hydraulic unit failure

[elephant4009]

Haven't posted for a while, not that I've posted much, though I have kept up with whats new. Anyway, I'm babbling, so to the point. Having just fitted one of Davy's pedal pots & brought to an immediate end years of throttle frustration (Thank you Davy) my brakes failed & I narrowly avoided a nasty one. (Thanks 3200, I rather naively imagined you might work without fault for more than two consecutive days) Having limped back home I found the brake reservoir empty, refilled, started the engine pressed the pedal & obtained two lovely brake fluid jets from the front of the ABS hydraulic unit. I have attached a picture of the unit. It is a Bosch 383800316. Now I know the ECU side of this unit is suspect but here this is not the problem. The fluid is escaping from behind the two plastic blanks in the picture which in my car are no longer there. Anyone any experience of this? Could it be the blanks are just seals for alternative break line outlets sealed internally question which could be blanked off again? If not, does anyone have any suggestions as to where I could get the unit refurbished . New ones from Eurospares are several thousand pounds. Oh & my 4200 continues to work without fault ( Thanks 4200).

 

[davy83]

I feel for you sir. Glad your pedal sensor is working ok. I am not aware of any one posting a similar problem with the brake regulator unit, and fluid coming out of these blanking plugs is pretty weird! Have you tried any Bosch places to see if they will look at it? You might also wanto to look at David Askew or Premier performance for used parts. Since these are not prone to failure really i would think a good low mileage part from a breaker might be a good bet.
Can you remove the plastic blanking covers and see whats underneath? Perhaps its a pressure relief valve or some thing? I should say I am not sure these are servicable, as they are quite complex with a valve for each of the 4 brake caliper feeds, to regulate pressure as required by the ASR computer, and/or the ABS control. I am wondering if there is a fluid return line that sends "regulated" fluid back to the reservoir when the valves operate and if it was blocked (crushed pipe maybe) might cause some back up pressure relief function to kick in (like fluid coming out of ports?

 

[elephant4009]

Thanks Davy. For what its worth, must get round to leaving positive feedback on ebay. Turning to the ABS unit, the blanking plugs are no longer there, probably they went flying when the brake fluid first came out as it's quite forceful. I wonder if as you say they are pressure relief valves? Been online to look for a possible repair solution but all the sites just seem interested in ECU refurbishment. Already seen a complete second hand unit on e bay for £700 but I'd feel a bit silly fitting that if it turns out to be something simple or if a problem elsewhere causes the same damage. As you say, I need to find someone who is familiar with this type of unit, although I would hope there is some kind of common design architecture across most Bosch designs.

 

[davy83]

I think there are a few cars that use the same control unit, so there should be some internet based information base you would hope.

 

[elephant4009]

Hope so but can't find any at the moment. Perhaps the part number is different. I would really like to know what the blanking plate holes are though. Thinking about it, they can't be for pressure relief valves as what could possibly be worse for the occupants safety than ditching the brake fluid.. Oh dear. You know I expect my car to have problems but this wasn't one of them. I shall therefore regard it as a bonus problem

 

[elephant4009]

Just an update. David Askew is kindly helping. He has taken a unit apart but it is still not apparent what the holes are for
Its weird isn't it. As I've said, the holes can't possibly be safety related as it would be madness to jettison the brake fluid.
When I top up the fluid, the brakes harden up until you lose all the fluid from the holes.
I don't want to seal the holes without knowing what they are & in any event if we don't know what the holes do or where they go there might be nothing wrong with the hydraulic unit, could be the ECU side.

 

[elephant4009]

Oh & hopefully if mine proves useless I can buy one from David. & here are some pictures of the unit in pieces.

 

[Oneball]

this is a complete guess but I’d imagine those holes behind the cover are just vents and the reason you’re losing fluid from them is that the seals round the valves in the body of the abs unit have failed.

 

[Oneball]

PS Sealing holes is a crazy idea. Don’t dick around with it, either send it to a specialist for refurb or replace it.

 

[jasst]

@Contigo had one for sale a while ago https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/fs-maserati-3200-abs-pump.27980/

 

[elephant4009]

Yes, I think sealing the holes is silly & thanks for the link Jasst. Ill see if Contigio still has it. He wanted £100. These things are several thousand brand new. Fingers crossed.

 

[elephant4009]

I'll still ask but on reflection I don't think hes's offering the hydraulic side but just the pump attached to the ecu control. Ill send him a picture though.

 

[Oneball]

There’s usually a part number on the top of the aluminium. You may find it’s shared with other cars.

 

[elephant4009]

You'd think so wouldn't you. I was hoping it would be shared with a Fiat Punto but sadly If you put the part number in Google, the only car which seems to share the unit is a Ferrari 360.

 

[elephant4009]

Actually Jasst, what am I talking about, the pump is attached to the hydraulic section, I think the prospect of saving thousands of pounds is just getting too much for me.

 

[Lozzer]

Bosch 0265 234 634 , I couldn't find a match either. The workshop manual does say the block cannot be repaired and must be replaced, although they say that about a lot of things.

 

[elephant4009]

I'm hold out for a hero. His name. Contigio

 

[Contigo]

Have got it Steven yes and it is the pump part. Will post a pic for you ASAP.

 

[elephant4009]

See Lozzer, heroes just don't exist in dreams.

 

[elephant4009]

Crikey, that's terrible English & it just doesn't make sense. What I meant to say was:-
See Lozzer, heroes don't just existing in dreams.
Anyway, I've now rather strangled any vestige of humour that was present in the sentence, so just pretend I never said it. & finally I'm really sorry for writing so many rambling posts but I'm just so excited by Contigo having the pump.
So thanks a lot Men for your help & particularly to jasst for bringing Contigo's post to my attention.