todd.the.submariner
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It's a long and sordid story, but as we join in on chapter 3 or so, here's where we are. In January 2022, I purchased a 2003 Maserati Spyder GT, Med Blue over tan. Lovely machine. Purchased from a ML member here in the US, flew down from Seattle to the San Francisco area, and drove it the 800 miles back home through the mountains. Sedately cruising at 90-100mph much of the way.
As expected, it came with a short list of minor complaints to address in due time, and the clutch master cylinder failed on the drive home, adding a minor bit of drama, but it was thankfully only about 5 miles from home, so I idled in 2nd all the way to my drive. Then had to announce to the wife that the lovely new paperweight had arrived. She is a most understanding woman and humors me in my expensive hobby.
Addressed a few minor things while the winter/spring rains continued. One of which was a failed battery. Tried hunting down parasitic loads and didn't find any, so gave the car a jump start to run it under its own power and see if the alternator would charge it up for another parasitic load test, or if the battery was failed. Started the car, let it idle in the garage (yes, door open, before you ask), while I did other work. Voltmeter showed alternator working fine. Came back a bit later as something didn't sound right, and then the car shut itself off. Smelled like coolant in the garage, so of course my mind went straight to the heater core - no puddle on the floorboards, no steam on the windshield. Suffice to say, things are a bit more severe.
Took a look around and didn't see anything obvious, so restarted the car to see what I could see with the hood open - happily the car started under its own power (small victory). The damage was already done. Oil pressure sitting solidly at zero.
Car is now at the indy (thanks to my local towing service). Confirmed no oil pressure, no cylinder wall damage, but lots of metal in the oil. Still waiting for a full teardown, but obviously severe bearing damage, likely caused by a failed oil pump. Here's where my knowledge fails - indy mechanic (long time Ferrari mechanic) said these engines can have a water pump failure that causes a failure of oil pump.
Back of the envelope math says a complete engine rebuild would be... expensive. Thanks to eBay, I sourced a complete, in the box, F136 4.2V8, for a surprisingly low price. Engine has arrived, and there are a few things to work through. Engine has a different ignition wiring harness than the original. Both are definitely Maserati 4.2V8 of the same vintage, but slightly different. (there is no such thing as a surprisingly cheap maserati part, apparently)
Pulled the part number of the new engine's ignition wiring harness, and it corresponds to a non-F1, USA/Canada, no thermocouples set (206440). While my Spyder is a non-F1, USA/Canada, with thermocouples set (196332). This stopped us in our tracks, as now we have to figure out what all of the differences are between the two engines. If anyone has a cheat sheet to reference, or knowledge of what the differences are for various F136 configurations 2002-2007, that would be most appreciated.
Anyhow, I'll post in here how things are going, and then follow up with other improvements, fixes, and modifications. Hopefully back on the road in time to enjoy the all-too-brief Seattle convertible season!
As expected, it came with a short list of minor complaints to address in due time, and the clutch master cylinder failed on the drive home, adding a minor bit of drama, but it was thankfully only about 5 miles from home, so I idled in 2nd all the way to my drive. Then had to announce to the wife that the lovely new paperweight had arrived. She is a most understanding woman and humors me in my expensive hobby.
Addressed a few minor things while the winter/spring rains continued. One of which was a failed battery. Tried hunting down parasitic loads and didn't find any, so gave the car a jump start to run it under its own power and see if the alternator would charge it up for another parasitic load test, or if the battery was failed. Started the car, let it idle in the garage (yes, door open, before you ask), while I did other work. Voltmeter showed alternator working fine. Came back a bit later as something didn't sound right, and then the car shut itself off. Smelled like coolant in the garage, so of course my mind went straight to the heater core - no puddle on the floorboards, no steam on the windshield. Suffice to say, things are a bit more severe.
Took a look around and didn't see anything obvious, so restarted the car to see what I could see with the hood open - happily the car started under its own power (small victory). The damage was already done. Oil pressure sitting solidly at zero.
Car is now at the indy (thanks to my local towing service). Confirmed no oil pressure, no cylinder wall damage, but lots of metal in the oil. Still waiting for a full teardown, but obviously severe bearing damage, likely caused by a failed oil pump. Here's where my knowledge fails - indy mechanic (long time Ferrari mechanic) said these engines can have a water pump failure that causes a failure of oil pump.
Back of the envelope math says a complete engine rebuild would be... expensive. Thanks to eBay, I sourced a complete, in the box, F136 4.2V8, for a surprisingly low price. Engine has arrived, and there are a few things to work through. Engine has a different ignition wiring harness than the original. Both are definitely Maserati 4.2V8 of the same vintage, but slightly different. (there is no such thing as a surprisingly cheap maserati part, apparently)
Pulled the part number of the new engine's ignition wiring harness, and it corresponds to a non-F1, USA/Canada, no thermocouples set (206440). While my Spyder is a non-F1, USA/Canada, with thermocouples set (196332). This stopped us in our tracks, as now we have to figure out what all of the differences are between the two engines. If anyone has a cheat sheet to reference, or knowledge of what the differences are for various F136 configurations 2002-2007, that would be most appreciated.
Anyhow, I'll post in here how things are going, and then follow up with other improvements, fixes, and modifications. Hopefully back on the road in time to enjoy the all-too-brief Seattle convertible season!
), UK Spec (125+bhp
