"Hi Enrico,

I have done a lot of reading on your website, the technical assistance part for Ghibli IIs. My name is Sander from the Netherlands. I recently purchased a 1996 Ghibli 2.8 Auto, unfortunately on my way home I blew a head gasket.

I am not a Maserati specialist, but have some skills in mechanics. At the moment I am trying to replace them (together with the water pump, belts, spark plugs, etc.). Right now I am running into some difficulties and would really appreciate it if you could give some help with the following:

1. I heard that is should be possible to remove both cylinder heads without removing the engine from the car. The left bank (from driver's position) will need clearance from the brake booster. So I removed the four screws above the pedals inside the car, but there is no room to remove the brake booster. Any ideas on this? Maybe push the engine aside and then the brake booster can go aside, or should I loosen one engine mount?

2. How do I remove the belt tensioner, or at least take the tension off?

3. Should I always replace the cam chains and tensioner as well?

4. Are there maybe other points I will have to keep in mind, like maybe have the camshafts fixed before disconnecting (I marked everything by the way).

I saw my Ghibli a couple of months ago for sale at a car showroom near London at GB £6,000. Compared to the prices in The Netherlands this was a bit cheaper. The advert said the car had a full service history and was in top shape. Unfortunately the truth was a bit different; the car didn't have a full service history; from 2,000 miles on there were only a few handwritten leaflets.

I already made a lot of expenses to get there and had planned to drive back. So there wasn't really an alternative. So I paid the seller the money (something like GB £5,700 in the end if I remember correctly) and began with my drive home.

On my way home I found out that the air/con didn't blow cold (although they told me it worked fine). Then in The Netherlands I found out that the car was using coolant. And finally, when I drove it home from our DVLA (called RDW) it almost did not start and the engine was running badly due to a leaking head gasket (I hope it's not the cylinder head itself).

When I contacted the company about it they didn't really bother, although I am 90% sure they knew it was using coolant. I have a broken headlight (driver's side), not sure if this was already there or if it happened on my way home, but I have since found out that it's about the most expensive part on a Ghibli.

All in all, pretty bad experience with that company and I wouldn't advice anybody to buy from there.

Because I have studied automotive engineering and worked for some years in several garages, I decided to do the work myself. I worked at a Maserati dealership so I ordered the parts (too bad without a discount). With these cars you really depend on the help from others, because I for sure, don't have all the knowledge it takes.

I can't say everything is going smoothly. A Maserati isn't a VW or BMW of course, so some bolts can't be reached, some parts are located well hidden or other stuff like that.

When the car was running good it did have a lot of power, shifted smooth (it's an automatic) and of course it looked great (cream leather interiour is full of Italian class). I noticed the intake ports were machined. The thin wall between the two ports for one cylinder was even razor sharp, can't believe this is standard on these cars (also attached a picture of this).

The interior is in very good shape. There is no structural rust or anything, just some rust bubbles. My turbo pressure gauge isn't working and I believe it has Quattroporte IV wheels (I think it doesn't look too bad).

So I am excited to get it back one the road again but it is a lot of work. I don't have a workshop or professional tools, just basic tools and I do the work under a car port.

I am planning to set up my own business importing and selling special cars next year. I bought four cars in total now in the UK (BMW E30 320iS, BMW E34 M5 Touring, Mercedes 2.3 16V Cosworth and the Maserati). I am thinking about keeping the Ghibli for myself, but at 25 years of age it is rather expensive to drive.

I attached some further pictures. If I am correct this should be a hydraulic one? But which bolt do I have to loosen in order to get the tension off?

What do you think about the intake ports, are they machined or something?

I also made a picture of my working space. It shows the limited possibilities to get the engine out. I will try and see if I can loosen the engine mounts. I am always very cautious so I will only proceed when it's not dangerous.

What do you think about the intake porsts, are they machined or something?

I am happy to answer any questions and of course would appreciate all help. If somebody has any advice concerning my plans for the car import business or knowns a interesting left-hand drive car for sale, I would also really appreciate any help.

Thanks,

Sander."