GranSport (Fuji White) Running report

Chris155

Member
Messages
196
I've finally fulfilled a childhood dream and I now own a Maserati.

It's a 4200 Gransport in pearl white and a, well, um, "challenging" interior. Then again, it seems a lot of GranSports are a like this... I suspect those who have been watching the market will know which one it is.

At this point I would like to say that Dan at Lake End Autos was a pleasure to deal with and I'm very happy with the car. If you're reading this Dan, thanks again.

I collected it today which was a 400mile round trip, so I don't have any pictures of it as yet. I hope to give it a clean tomorrow and take some then.

It's not been easy finding a car that I felt comfortable buying. I think my Dad and I have travelled well over 1,200miles and looked at 6 different cars; 4 x 4200 and 2 GranSports, before settling on this one. Part of the problem has been my budget is a little higher than most 4200s but not high enough for a Gransport and it's a GranSport that I really wanted.

For those wondering, I did have a look at this one;


And I would advise anyone considering it to proceed with caution it is wearing some signs of accident damage. I would also check the MOT history advisories and question whether any work has been undertaken between the 2 latest MOTs - For example, it failed on worn out front tyres and then passed with an advisory...

Anyway, moving on.

I have a couple of noobie questions perhaps someone could help with please?

1. Gearbox pump relay. I understand these are marginal in terms of their capacity, that it is good practice to replace them regularly to avoid the pump burning out, and that there is a solid state relay that is a a much better option.

  • Where is the relay located?
  • Where can I get the solid state relay from (It's a Ferrari part, I think?), Eurospares? That being the case, does anyone know the PN?

2. On the way home I noted that the drivers door would groan or wheeze every so often. I'm thinking it could have been the door glass dropping and then being lifted by the system that drops it when you open the door. Is this a known issue? Is the usual trick of pressing and holding the window buttons up and down likely to fix it?

Thanks in advance.
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,071
Welcome. Sorry, can’t help with your questions but is it Bianco Fuji with the blue interior? I think they look awesome.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Welcome indeed. Well done for fulfilling your dream, it only gets more interesting from here.

The black car you went to see has been commented on here several times and your comments chime with what has been said about it before.

To answer your questions:

The relay is located above the battery behind the cover on the right hand side of the boot.

Have a read of this https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/f1-pump-relay-bmw-alternative.8629/post-188649

I’ve not heard of the windows dropping randomly, but you might well be right. This is either an iffy microswitch in the lock mechanism or you might have a problem with the window regulator.

 

Chris155

Member
Messages
196
Thanks for the comments so far and the welcomes, but I have been on the forum for quite some time.

Yep, it is the HK car.

A 3rd question has occurred to me. What's the score with cats in the manifolds? I've searched and I understand how to check what they are, but it being dark outside, does anyone know what kind mine is likely to have?
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Thanks for the comments so far and the welcomes, but I have been on the forum for quite some time.

Yep, it is the HK car.

A 3rd question has occurred to me. What's the score with cats in the manifolds? I've searched and I understand how to check what they are, but it being dark outside, does anyone know what kind mine is likely to have?

It’s cat roulette i’m afraid. No idea if they would have similar rules regarding cat warm up in HK as they have in the US.
 

Chris155

Member
Messages
196
4 Days into Maserati ownership and I ran into my first issue today. Battery Voltage, which was showing on the gauge as slightly less than this;

IMG_1240 by Chris, on Flickr

I had a bit of a panic about it but figured, a voltage that low would be causing issues and warning lights. Something confirm by the people on the 4200 Faceballs group.

I did go though it when I got home. Firstly I tested the battery;

IMG_1236 by Chris, on Flickr

Which is fine;

IMG_1237 by Chris, on Flickr

And then the alternator, without and then with electrical load (Heated rear window, lights, fan etc);

IMG_1239 by Chris, on Flickr

All of which means that the gauge is perhaps under-reading. It's difficult to tell as, in my opinion, the markings are contradictory / ambiguous.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,541
The battery gauge will give whatever reading it feels like, at any given time.

It’s most appropriate use is to determine if a battery is fitted or not. I.e. if it is zero, there isn’t one. If it is between 10 and 14 volts, there is one.

It may also serve as an accurate indication of time of day (twice per 24 hour period) and an occasional wind direction indicator.

C
 

breezer

Member
Messages
229
The battery gauge will give whatever reading it feels like, at any given time.

It’s most appropriate use is to determine if a battery is fitted or not. I.e. if it is zero, there isn’t one. If it is between 10 and 14 volts, there is one.

:clap: I’d been wondering about that on my 4200!

Also, and really interestingly as it’s the first time I’ve seen it, the movement is measured on a logarithmic scale, I think? Assuming the (seeming randomly placed) 14 should actually correspond to the top marker, the evenly spaced markers mean: 10,12,14,15,16! If the 14 is placed accurately, half way between the two markers, then the markers must mean: 10,??????,16.

And while we’re at it, why goes the fuel gauge display 0,1/2,4/4? Why not 2/4 & 4/4? or 1/2 & 2/2?! Or just 1?

No logic. Brilliant!
 

Chris155

Member
Messages
196
:clap: I’d been wondering about that on my 4200!

Also, and really interestingly as it’s the first time I’ve seen it, the movement is measured on a logarithmic scale, I think? Assuming the (seeming randomly placed) 14 should actually correspond to the top marker, the evenly spaced markers mean: 10,12,14,15,16! If the 14 is placed accurately, half way between the two markers, then the markers must mean: 10,??????,16.

And while we’re at it, why goes the fuel gauge display 0,1/2,4/4? Why not 2/4 & 4/4? or 1/2 & 2/2?! Or just 1?

No logic. Brilliant!
Yep!!! My point exactly! Makes no sense whatsoever!
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
It is like a little mini skirt or one of those skirts that just looks a little too short to be OK to a woman but too interesting to a man!
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,756
Your voltage dial on the dash is reading about 12.5, which is approximately what your tester/reader in the boot says. So all is fine, both with the battery and the dashboard.

Congrats on the purchase by the way. Lovely colour.

Was this the Bianco Fuji GS that was for sale in Devon for ages? If not, did you go to see that one?
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Only just picked up this thread.
Regarding the F1 relay it can be an issue, but I don't think as much an issue as the 'internet' makes out, like most things. Looks like I started the thread referenced above, yes I have a spare relay, but the original relay from new is still fitted to my car, it is a branded item. Guess it also depends on the car mileage and subsequent cycles the relay has switched. Mine has low mileage less than 20k. However my indicator relay failed recently and the relay was cheap quality compared to the Hella replacement.
If you seek the solid state option it can be bought here. It is not a Ferrari part.