512 BBi ignition problems

Ok JRV, James and anyone who wishes to help...how about the cold start injector...could it be stuck and could it be just sitting there dripping or spraying long after it is no longer needed. How would I check for that JRV...take the sucker out, turn on the fuel pumps and see if it is malfunctioning....after the engine had been warmed up properly?

CoachI,

it's very rare that the CS Injector is a/the problem.

The way they are checked is by removeing, plugging the air leak, then have someone crank the engine while monitering CSI operation, it should spray from 1-3 seconds while cranking then stop. If it doesn't spray at all then a continuity check is order, if it continues to spray after 3 seconds a check of the CSI system is in order.

Regards, JRV

Back to this problem. After a couple of weeks where both James and I were busy doing other things, we got back together with a gas analyzer and tried to find out what the FD was doing on each engine bank. Well, it was a futile effort...we got readings of 1.6 when we connected to one set of exhaust pipes and 3.0 when we went to the other...and most adjustments just made the readings worse. I was totally mistaken; you cannot measure CO at the tailpipes as the exhaust manifolds from both banks go into one large muffler then go into two smaller muffler before going into the tailpipes... so it seems the large muffler combines the exhaust from both banks...and then splits if off...what good is that?

Second, there was some mention of a crossover on the exhaust, that the left tailpipes were actually connected to the right bank etc...that is not the case, and if it is, I can't see it.

So I am taking both FD's and sending them back, to be checked out and retested.And possibly rebuilt. I am weary of sending both, because one side, the spark plugs are perfect burning with no signs of richness in the fuel misture; while the rebuilt side shows black fouling due to extreme richness. If I have one good FD, why risk having it poorly rebuilt?

What should I do. I am at wit's end. James, my friend who helps me will probably post later. Can anyone shed some additional light on this problem. Obviously, if I changed into two new fuel distributors, 2 new wURs and whatever, I would fix the problem, but I would be out 10 grand. I feel the rebuilt FD is the culprit...and no one around here wants to mess with a Ferrari..and I have not been successful in Atlanta. I am tired of hauling my car down there, getting it back with a big bill, and the thing not be right. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

By the way, David, I am using those iridium plugs BR 7 EIX now. I can't tell the difference. Maybe when the system is fixed I will be able to.


hellllllllllllllllllllp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've never seen an exhaust arrangement quite like this one

From what it looked like, the headers dumped into one side of a central muffler/res, then out to a second res, then out. Now, the central muffler is just that correct? And, does the pathways inside cross over from one side to the other? I wouldn't think both sides just "dump" into the muffler, as that would be a bigtime gas flow interuption and a no-no.

I just want to make sure which FD tunes which side of the exhaust.

Having the FD's inspected will at least rule out something internal that we can't fix. However, the system will still need to be tuned when they are returned.

James

>>I've never seen an exhaust arrangement quite like this one<<

How about a picture of the exhaust to clarify what you have and allow everyone to be on the same page.

Typically, the Right side FD adjusts the Right Side of the Engine which is tested at the Left Side Exhaust and vice versa. I would be surprised if yours is different.

Have you been following these instructions?:

http://www.ferrari-talk.com/discus/m...tml?1054733418

actually i have not. I need to find two Hg vacuum gauges and am not sure where to tee them in...I know I have problems with the two sides not being at the same Hg vacuum reading. Where do you buy vacuum gauges JRV? Also, do you think that the exhaust is indeed split? I am not sure my car has any cats...finding a spot before the mufflers to test might be difficult...where might one be. I will try to take digital pictures...might not be easy. I will work on that this weekend.

Any suggestions or advice would be welcome. I wish you were here in SC so that you can fix this sucker for me once and for all. Shipping it to Houston is not a simple solution nor inexpensive.

Coach,

it will save you a lot of grief and time to follow the directions I've layed out carefully. They are essentially a road map, the short way home if you will.

I can tell you from experience though, without following expert procedures quality results are very unlikely.

If you follow along with other threads here you will see a pattern of succesful repairs forming on most every type of Ferrari and most every type of problem. You may also notice that myself and the other guys ask as many questions as we answer. That is because in this environment we all have to be on the same page and working with procedures in the same manner. Once certian mutual understandings are reached then we collectively work towards solutions. So I ask that you placate us by reading the instructions and slowly working thru them step by step without skipping over or leaving out certian critical portions. I believe that a careful methodical approach using tried and true procedures will get your Boxer running the way you want it to, it has for quite a few guys here so far.

As for the vacun gauges, David &amp; Henry had a source but I can't find our old discussion at the moment, maybe they will chime in with the answer. If you are in a gurry, any Pep Boys or simular type store should have some cheap ones in stock.

Regards, JRV

JRV,

I absolutely agree that eveything must follow a proceedure. However, lately time contstraints have been the biggest part of our working downfall. While I am not a mechanic for a living, I am a computer geek. Lemme tell ya... there is even more exact steps to follow in that field than any other LOL

Coach is a great guy, but he is frustrated and I understand why. Perhaps I can convince him to leave the car at my house over a weekend and let me devote 20 hours to it ;)


James

James,

cars don'r care about time constraints or important business meetings or yada yada.....they are really selfish at times, the computers I have seem the same way. I can't remember one asking me if it was convient to crash.

We've been all over the map with this problem with poor results so far.

It's obvious to me at least that jumping from one conclusion and assumption and part of the car to the next in a willy nilly manner isn't working.

IMO it's time for a more careful, methodical approach. Which includes answering questions as well as asking them. I fully understand that it can be frustrating to ask a question and have to wait for an answer, however in this type venue that's how it works. To mitigate some of that waiting many procedures are written out in detail in the Tech Archives. Additionally there are services &amp; repairs that are not possible without the proper tools as well as the proper procedures. That's all how the game is played.

Regards, JRV

Absolutely. I've built many a car, and know just how taxing they can be. I agree the results thus far have been less than stellar, but there hasn't been much "total" work done on it either. I'd love to have a full day to devote, in which the problem could easily be knocked out. But, that's not up to me 100% on this one, since it's not my car.

James