3200GT. Newbie from Bahrain

[zeesh]

Hi everyone!

I'm kinda new to the forum world. I wouldn't know where to start. Tbh I've had my 3200GT since 2011. It was 15,000 kms when I bought it. I've put 40,000 kms on it. So its at around 55k now. I've been maintaining the car at by myself at a local garage (Oil filter, Spark plugs, etc basic level)

So to give y'all some history:

The car's in perfect condition (as perfect as a 3200GT could be lol) it has always had an ERROR light ever since I bought it. From what I've read, it could be the BILSTEIN actuators or LAMBDA sensor or both. I'm leaning more towards the actuators since I don't feel a difference in Sport mode, except for the engine.

I've been using SHELL 10W-60 motor oil (although I am considering switching to Liqui Moly next time around). I've changed the air filter, crankshaft position sensor, water pump, thermostat, MTBK001 timing belt, tensioner, 311020350 pulley, and spark plugs.

I have had a sticky ETB which I sent over to Mike at Maserati Shed in the UK (I found them on Wheelers Dealers). When it came back it was supposed to be a permanent fix (contactless magnet or something) but I think the problem is back. I've read that the ETB has many different issues so I'm not going to be disappointed with Mike's work yet. I've read through Davy's thread on a Volvo ETB retrofit which I'll be watching closely so there's hope for that.

I changed all the speakers and ever since then there's a battery drain. It cleans out the battery in about 10 days. Also, the instrument cluster lights don't work anymore. I changed the fuse once, it came back to life for about 5 minutes and shorted out. Would that be because of the speakers?

I have an AC gas leak (probably in the dashboard) which I need to get to one day. I took the car to a mechanic and he said I need to change the following parts: Drive Shaft Coupling, Central Bearing, Transmission Seal, Rear Differential Bushes (comes in 3s). Does anyone know what these parts are because I can't seem to find any parts online that correspond to these? Part numbers would be a great help.

I will never sell my 3200GT and never give it to technicians outside (who just want to make money - I live in the Middle East), I thought I'll learn everything about the car. So I've asked Loz for the workshop manual which he's kindly provided me with and he also asked me to introduce myself to the forum.

I have not started my car in 2 years now (I know, I've been very foolish and negligent that way) When i tried starting it last week. It's cranking but not spark. I think its the fuel pump. Or maybe old fuel? I haven't diagnosed the car yet (that's another task in itself).

Sorry this is a really long thread. I've been really late to the party despite owning the car for almost 10 years. I tried to include as much information as I can. I'm really excited to be a part of the online community. I'm looking forward to reading your guys' responses and advice.

P.S. I'm thinking of buying a donor car (its really cheap here-- like $6-8,000 mainly because no one knows how to work on these cars so they junk them). What do you think of that prospect and what should I look out for?

Cheers!

Zeesh

 

[CatmanV2]

I took the car to a mechanic and he said I need to change the following parts: Drive Shaft Coupling, Central Bearing, Transmission Seal, Rear Differential Bushes (comes in 3s). Does anyone know what these parts are because I can't seem to find any parts online that correspond to these? Part numbers would be a great help.

That doesn't sound like an AC leak . Welcome. Some experts will be along shortly to help....

C

 

[Lozzer]

Hiya zeesh! Good effort

 

[Oishi]

Beautiful car, and welcome to the group.

 

[Oneball]

Welcome Zeesh. Looks lovely. If you’ve got no spark I’d have a look at the crankshaft position sensor

 

[zeesh]

That doesn't sound like an AC leak . Welcome. Some experts will be along shortly to help....

C

Lol i think I mixed two comments in one. The car leaks AC refrigerant in like 24 hours.

But my mechanic also mentioned that I have some rubbers that I need to change which pertains to Drive Shaft Coupling, Central Bearing, Transmission Seal, Rear Differential Bushes. But I got no clue where they go.

Also when I try to start the engine, it only keeos cranking. Like as if there is no fuel or spark. And the cranking is louder than usual. I thinking its a mix of sticky ETB and Fuel injectors/pump?

Z

 

[zeesh]

Welcome Zeesh. Looks lovely. If you’ve got no spark I’d have a look at the crankshaft position sensor

Thanks, I'll look into it. I did change the sensor though. About 3-4 years ago. Did maybe 5,000 kms after the change

Z

 

[CatmanV2]

Lol i think I mixed two comments in one. The car leaks AC refrigerant in like 24 hours.

But my mechanic also mentioned that I have some rubbers that I need to change which pertains to Drive Shaft Coupling, Central Bearing, Transmission Seal, Rear Differential Bushes. But I got no clue where they go.

Also when I try to start the engine, it only keeos cranking. Like as if there is no fuel or spark. And the cranking is louder than usual. I thinking its a mix of sticky ETB and Fuel injectors/pump?

Z

Well you need to check the basics.

Fuel pressure? Spark?

Any CEL? (What am I saying? It's a 3200)
As I say. Many experts incoming!

C

 

[zeesh]

Well you need to check the basics.

Fuel pressure? Spark?

Any CEL? (What am I saying? It's a 3200)
As I say. Many experts incoming!

C

There is a CEL Car goes into limp mode (when it used to start). What I would do is put the car in ON position without starting. Push the accelerator pedal all the way in for 30 seconds, then release for 30 seconds. Repeat 2 more times and then turn the car on. The CEL usually goes away. I've also noticed the CEL comes on when the car gets heat soaked or if ETB acts up.

Regarding Fuel pressure, and Spark. I'll get to it and get back to y'all with my findings. I'm going to check the crankshaft position sensor too like Oneball suggested. I'm just glad y'all here to help. There is Hope!

Z

 

[Rex B]

There is a CEL Car goes into limp mode (when it used to start). What I would do is put the car in ON position without starting. Push the accelerator pedal all the way in for 30 seconds, then release for 30 seconds. Repeat 2 more times and then turn the car on. The CEL usually goes away. I've also noticed the CEL comes on when the car gets heat soaked or if ETB acts up.

Regarding Fuel pressure, and Spark. I'll get to it and get back to y'all with my findings. I'm going to check the crankshaft position sensor too like Oneball suggested. I'm just glad y'all here to help. There is Hope!

Z

 

[Rex B]

Hi l think the 3 rear diff bushes you refer to are part no 97771. These hold the diff casing to the rear sub frame and are around £28 each from eurospares.
The centre bearing l you mention could be the prop shaft. These are not available separately so you would need to get it rebuilt by a specialist or get a new or secondhand one.
The error light is probably one of the suspension actuators. You can usually check the by putting you fingers on the top of the actuator while someone switches the ignition on. If they are working you should feel them rotate as they go through a check procedure at ignition on.
Is your car manual or auto?
Make sure your battery is a good one and is fully charged because my 3200will turnover but won’t start unless the battery has a standing voltage of 12.2 v minimum.( my own does this)
Battery going flat in 10 days is not unusual.
Hope this helps a little.

 

[lifes2short]

P.S. I'm thinking of buying a donor car (its really cheap here-- like $6-8,000 mainly because no one knows how to work on these cars so they junk them).

a very warm welcome, good thinking on a cheap donor car especially if parts are expensive and/or hard to get

 

[midlifecrisis]

Hiya Zeesh, welcome to the forum.

The battery drain cannot be the speaker cables as they terminate into the radio head unit. Unless you've done something completely bizarre.
The body work looks beautiful, but that gold colour (JRG?) works in extreme sunshine. It looks rather dull here in the UK, in my opinion. With all those faults, I have just work through each one methodically but get the engine running first. That's the heart and the rest will follow.

 

[zeesh]

Hi l think the 3 rear diff bushes you refer to are part no 97771. These hold the diff casing to the rear sub frame and are around £28 each from eurospares.
The centre bearing l you mention could be the prop shaft. These are not available separately so you would need to get it rebuilt by a specialist or get a new or secondhand one.
The error light is probably one of the suspension actuators. You can usually check the by putting you fingers on the top of the actuator while someone switches the ignition on. If they are working you should feel them rotate as they go through a check procedure at ignition on.
Is your car manual or auto?
Make sure your battery is a good one and is fully charged because my 3200will turnover but won’t start unless the battery has a standing voltage of 12.2 v minimum.( my own does this)
Battery going flat in 10 days is not unusual.
Hope this helps a little.

Thanks for your input Rex.

My car is an Auto. Recently I've noticed the car doesn't engage into drive, I have to rev it a bit and then it bites. I'm afraid that's bad for the tranny so I stopped driving it. Maybe the fluid is low?

How expensive does the propshaft get? And getting it rebuilt - it is a rubber or a metal part that needs to get rebuilt?

I'll check on the actuators and get back. I hear you can rebuild the actuators when they go out? or is it better to replace them. They seem pretty expensive

I think you're right about the battery. I just recharged my old battery and tried to start it. I'll just get a new one.

Also it is bad to try starting the car with 2 year old oil? It barely gone 2,000 kms on the SHELL 10W60 before the tranny started to act up. Should I change the oil first before starting?

Z

 

[zeesh]

Hiya Zeesh, welcome to the forum.

The battery drain cannot be the speaker cables as they terminate into the radio head unit. Unless you've done something completely bizarre.
The body work looks beautiful, but that gold colour (JRG?) works in extreme sunshine. It looks rather dull here in the UK, in my opinion. With all those faults, I have just work through each one methodically but get the engine running first. That's the heart and the rest will follow.

Thanks brother. The battery drain started and the instrument cluster lights went out a week after I changed the speakers. But maybe its a coincidence. I think I'll have to do a parasitic drain test at some point and zero in on the culprit.

Yea I absolutely love the color of the car. It's super classy and elegant! Nothing feels like the 3200GT inside or outside. It's them feels!~

Z

 

[midlifecrisis]

Thanks brother. The battery drain started and the instrument cluster lights went out a week after I changed the speakers. But maybe its a coincidence. I think I'll have to do a parasitic drain test at some point and zero in on the culprit.

Yea I absolutely love the color of the car. It's super classy and elegant! Nothing feels like the 3200GT inside or outside. It's them feels!~

Z

Stick an ammeter in series with the battery and pull fuses to see the drain go down. It's a quick and dirty way to track a drain. Just note where you pulled the fuse from and what it was. It might be a drain for a reason such as the alarm system.

 

[zeesh]

Stick an ammeter in series with the battery and pull fuses to see the drain go down. It's a quick and dirty way to track a drain. Just note where you pulled the fuse from and what it was. It might be a drain for a reason such as the alarm system.

yea imma get to that and see how it goes. Do I check fuses in the back and the one under the passenger footrest?

Z

 

[Wattie]

Hi Zeesh, I cant help on the car front but I lived in Bahrain for a decade, loved it and it changed my life.
Fingers crossed you can get the cars issues fixed soon.

 

[Paulrv2]

Unfortunately cars don’t respond well to doing nothing for years! Apart from the Maserati I’ve an early Mk 1 Golf that my eldest daughter had as her first car that hasn’t been used for quite a few years - got started occasionally (but certainly not in last 5 years) until a few months back when it went for a bare metal respray. Since then I seem to consistently be fixing lots of minor issues - mostly electrical caused by bad earth, dry joints etc. I’m down to last few now - fuel and temperature gauge not working plus what sounds a noisy water pump.

 

[Rex B]

Zeesh
3 year old oil will be ok to start the car.Propshaft are very expensive £2000 for auto so l would like others have said get car started first and then seek a 2nd opinion from another mechanic.
The first think to try to cure automatic box would be to change the oil and filter this sometimes cures problems.
If you need a suspension actuator look on eBay there are some 2nd hand ones for sale. Also check that you can the inner shaft of the shock absorbers can be turned with your fingers.