Loss of power 3200GT

[OGAJOE]

Just noticed now some oil on the left side of the engine. On the black box with 3 small pipes and on the cover as well... Need investigation to find where this is from but that could explain my fairly low oil pressure at hot idle.

 

[Contigo]

Sounds ominous, check oil feed/ return pipes from that turbo.

 

[Rex B]

The black box is the oil breather catch tank check all of the 3 pipes clips on the top are tight, these would however not effect the oil pressure. If the oil pressure drops when cornering it usually because the level is low,the oil pressure when hot idle should not drop below 2.5 bar,but most 3200's on this forum are between 4 and 5 what does yours idle at.

Rex B

 

[OGAJOE]

I have always been beyond 2.5 but recently hot idle is sometimes around 2 bar.
I also hear a strange noise like a whistle when starting the engine, after 2 minutes the noise is gone.
I think it might be the oil pump if located on the left side. This left side has some oil over the Maserati signing as well...

 

[OGAJOE]

One of the screw between red cover and cast iron is loose. Can't access it and tighten it. I think it is the oil pump screw

 

[jluis]

There is no cast iron there, it's all aluminum
If the screw is loose, chances are your cover gasket is gone but do try to tighten it first.
Carefull not to torque it too much as that will crush the gasket.

The oil pump is near the engine sump where the oil filter plugs so it's quite far from the top covers you are describing

 

[allandwf]

It would have to be a severe leak, and in a certain place to cause a significant loss in oil pressure, as this is created by the pump forcing it past all the components "tolerences", hence when they wear you lose pressure as there is less resistance to the flow path.

 

[jluis]

I would say the leak is not related to the oil pressure.
If it was, the garage floor would be full of oil by now

 

[Rex B]

I have always been beyond 2.5 but recently hot idle is sometimes around 2 bar.
I also hear a strange noise like a whistle when starting the engine, after 2 minutes the noise is gone.
I think it might be the oil pump if located on the left side. This left side has some oil over the Maserati signing as well...

2 bar oil pressure at idle would concern me as its to low it should be 2.5 minimum and 5 bar above 100 rpm. What grade oil are you using, is the car a manual or auto? Is the oil on the Maserati sign on the Red cam cover like an oil mist as it could be coming from one f the 3 hoses that go into the oil breather catch tank( Black Box).

Rex B

 

[OGAJOE]

All,

Some update on this.

No more issues with oil pressure, + 3 bar at idle and 5 bar at speed.

Manual check on oil pressure and measurement of endfloat ---> OK. What a relief !

Power fully available after cleaning all pedal pot connector and ecu connector.

Seems like hot summer, south of France might affects oil pressure more than expected. Might use a viscosity improver for summer oil change.

 

[hodroyd]

Must have w60 for Turbos, otherwise oil will get like water..!!

 

[StuartW]

Must have w60 for Turbos, otherwise oil will get like water..!!

Good advise there

 

[conaero]

All,

Some update on this.

No more issues with oil pressure, + 3 bar at idle and 5 bar at speed.

Manual check on oil pressure and measurement of endfloat ---> OK. What a relief !

Power fully available after cleaning all pedal pot connector and ecu connector.

Seems like hot summer, south of France might affects oil pressure more than expected. Might use a viscosity improver for summer oil change.

Viscosity improver.....whats that, do explain???

 

[OGAJOE]

This engine has always been running on 10W60.

VI is an oil additive that improve viscosity when oil is set to get thinner.
The oil pressure improving especially at hot idle.
Bardahl is providing good ones.

 

[jluis]

This engine has always been running on 10W60.

VI is an oil additive that improve viscosity when oil is set to get thinner.
The oil pressure improving especially at hot idle.
Bardahl is providing good ones.

I would be affraid of adding any sort of additives to the oil of a car that is:
a) Known to be sensitive to oil spec causing endfloat problems
b) having 2 turbos
c) High revving engine
d) all of the above

Seriously, additives are for general purpose engines that have a calm life and high mileage in order to prevent them from burning oil and delaying an engine overhaul.

 

[Fat Arnie]

"I just had the coolant hoses done with Roose. "

If you have a slightest leak in the Vee of the engine the knock sensors get contaminated with antifreeze. If that happens they stop working and reduce the boost massively. This is a really common problem with 3200s and can be a pig to fix without replacing every coolant pipe, including those that run from the stat to the coolant distribution manifold under the plenum chamber.

Mike Roberts (Maserati Shed) has developed a means to relocate the knock sensors so they are not at risk of failure. Probably worth having a word with him.

If you have any kind of induction leak that reduces power signioficantly, you will hear a blowing noise like a jet engine under your bonnet!

 

[Danny]

Check the pipes that go to the throttle body, my jubilee clips were loose and the pipe blew off the Throttle Body, same symptoms as your car.

Thanks Phil, this helped me a lot. My crank sensor had been replaced and upon driving the car I experienced a huge loss of power. Last night I read your post, this morning I checked and found that one of my jubilee clips had snapped (broken). Therefore an easy fix!

 

[Contigo]

Thanks Phil, this helped me a lot. My crank sensor had been replaced and upon driving the car I experienced a huge loss of power. Last night I read your post, this morning I checked and found that one of my jubilee clips had snapped (broken). Therefore an easy fix!

No worries mate, it's an easy fix! Glad you got yours sorted.