Changing out the starter motor

[vulcan1208]

£52K wow

Yes a brand new full engine at 56k miles (11k all in) plus some bodywork at a high end specialist helped reach that figure but with those taken out it works out at under £2k per year over the 19 years I have had it so its not too bad when looked at in that way. The only problem is that my wife hates the car as it has let us down on a number of important occasions and refuses to go in it so its just used for the odd day out and a trip to Germany for me every year.

 

[philw696]

Yes a brand new full engine at 56k miles (11k all in) plus some bodywork at a high end specialist helped reach that figure but with those taken out it works out at under £2k per year over the 19 years I have had it so its not too bad when looked at in that way. The only problem is that my wife hates the car as it has let us down on a number of important occasions and refuses to go in it so its just used for the odd day out and a trip to Germany for me every year.

When I had my Ferrari 456 there was a invoice for a new transmission for 13K and I then knew I couldn't afford to run this car than had only done 25,000 back in 2012.

 

[Ebenezer]

£52K wow

I'm not that far off in 10 years with my QP!
Eb

 

[Chris Eggleton]

Mike Roberts mentioned a mod for the knock sensors meaning you don't need to remove all this gubbings every time they go wrong, anyone done this at all? Apparently a big time saver...

The advice from Dave Shanks on the Maserati 3200 GT Facebook site is that remotely locating the knock sensors basically obviated their utility. It may be easier to change them, but they are not fulfilling their role as knock sensors.

 

[MRichards]

The knock sensors detect the noise, described as a "knock" when the fuel preignites before the pistons reach TDC. The noise is like someone hitting the engine with a little hammer. So it doesn't matter where you put the sensor on the engine as metal transmits sound very well. These days,with good availability of the correct fuel, knock sensors aren't needed. In 63 years of motoring I've never heard an engine knock while driving. However, I've heard plenty of knocks while testing fuel in an engine lab.

 

[CatmanV2]

Umm, I think if Maserati designed their systems to have the sensors in one location and you move them, there is at least a chance they won't work as designed.

As for not being needed, pretty sure that constant ECU 'in flight' tuning is constantly trying to get the engine to *just* before it starts knocking for maximum efficiency. So for 'not needed' I'm happy to bow to greater experience but I currently disagree. They are certainly still fitted to the latest engines I can see on Scuderia <shrug>.

Or am I confusing knocking and pre-ignition?

C

 

[philw696]

I agree with Chris and having done many manufacturers courses over the years I stick to what I know.
I've also seen damage done to engines when modifications go wrong.
At the same time I'm always prepared to learn as there's some clever people out there.
The guy in Australia with his rebuild able suspension arms for Maserati.

 

[williamsmix]

The knock sensors detect the noise, described as a "knock" when the fuel preignites before the pistons reach TDC. The noise is like someone hitting the engine with a little hammer. So it doesn't matter where you put the sensor on the engine as metal transmits sound very well. These days,with good availability of the correct fuel, knock sensors aren't needed. In 63 years of motoring I've never heard an engine knock while driving. However, I've heard plenty of knocks while testing fuel in an engine lab.

Yes, I think that in practice this is correct. One of my knock sensors has been renewed and repositioned as can be seen in the picture below. I believe this was done as a quick fix by a reputable independent before I bought the car, so it’s been good for two and a half years at least and doesn’t throw any fault codes / CEL …

 

[MRichards]

"Or am I confusing knocking and pre-ignition?" Yes, you are. The knocking sound is caused by pre-ignition. The fuel with the correct Motor Octane number will ensure that pre-ignition does not occur. I don't know what the primitive ECU's in the 3200 do to avoid pre-ignition but assume the spark timing alters if it gets a signal from the sensor.

 

[CatmanV2]

"Or am I confusing knocking and pre-ignition?" Yes, you are. The knocking sound is caused by pre-ignition. The fuel with the correct Motor Octane number will ensure that pre-ignition does not occur. I don't know what the primitive ECU's in the 3200 do to avoid pre-ignition but assume the spark timing alters if it gets a signal from the sensor.

Spark timing on all modern engines gets altered all the time...

C