Geoff in the UK writes:

"Hi Enrico,

As discussed I have a problem with my Maser which as is a 95 Ghibli 2.8-litre. Basically the car is running fine with instant starting and no visible exhaust steam or smoke and it is not overheating, however it is losing water, about 1 litre every 200 miles and there is emulsification in the oil, both in the oil filler tube and on the dipstick. The first time that I noticed the problem was when the car ran warm in traffic following a long run, I immediately suspected a head gasket problem, however when the water was topped up to the correct level the car maintained it's normal temperature and I feel that this one incident of warm running was due to the water level having dropped without my noticing. I am sure that the temperature is fine because I am not just relying on the gauge but also on examination of the car etc etc.

Bedst regards,

Geoff."

Richard in Germany writes:

"Hi Enrico,

I drive a Ghibli II, one of the last one built, but since a couple of months if I drive on the road and the car is short "jumping" on the road I hear a small belling in the rear part, left-hand side. But only if the driver's window is open. Inside you do not hear it. It nerves me o hard that I tried a couple of time to find out where it comes from. If somebody would hear it, he would think he loses some screws or whatever.

I checked the car several times from below, I went to my Masearti agent, but he could not find anything. He thought it comes from the exhaust warm wall - you know! But thats wrong - now he meant it is coming from the left brake, the pads should be loose and he said that is normal !?? I think it is coming from the shock absorbers. What do you think? Did you hear already a "bell" whilst driving (jumping) with your Ghibli??

Can you tell me which shock absorbers I can use for the rear suspension, and if you have a product number of the manufacturer (Koni?) that would be helpful.

Best regards.

Richard."

Reply from Andy:-

Re: Ringing in my Ghibli's ears:

"The noise you describe could be coming from the handbrake linkage at the wheel end. If it is not properly adjusted, then it will be loose and can make a jingle/rattle/bell! type noise, which you can hear particularly when the window is open. To test, drive along until it makes the noise and then pull the handbrake 2 clicks. This should take out the slack and the noise should disappear. To repair, get the handbrake re-adjusted.

Andy."

Jonny in The Netherlands writes:

"Hi there,

Just spoke to the guy who looks after my car. He informs me that when you order a new bumper from the factory you get a newer plastic version rather than the old poly-eurothane type that's currently on mine (and yours I suspect), which should be much more robust against city knocks and scrapes. He said you can tell the difference 'cos the old ones have a rubber strip inserted in them and the newer ones don't.

Hope you find this info helpful!

regards... Jonny."

Thanks for the update Jonny!

Alexander in Norway writes:

"Hi Enrico!

As the speedometer and water temperature indicator in the instrument panel of the Maserati Ghibli M.Y.94 I am restoring is not working, I have a question for you.

I have asked a few friends of mine, and they tell me that this could be one of two things; the contacts under the instrument panel needs better connection, or the sensor on the differential is not working. I thought I would try to remove the instrument panel first to see if there was something I could do.

The problem is that I can not find out how to remove it! It seems that this is different from my friends 222 4v (if not; then I am blind or something).

Could you please tell me how to remove the instrument panel?

Thank you in advance!

Alexander.

Reply from Koen:-

Re: Ghibli faulty instruments:

"Hi Alexander,

For the speedometer on my Ghibli Cup : the speedometer from my Ghibli Cup was non-working as well, problem was solved by fitting a new sensor at the differential.

For the water temperature gauge: for the water temperature of the engine, same thing to be done with the sensor at the engine.

Parts are cheap, manual labour of course .....

So leave alone the instrument panel.

Koen."

Reply from Enrico:-

Re: Ghibli instrument panel:

"Hi Alexander,

Below are the instructions from the workshop manual for removing the instrument pod.

Karel in The Netherlands writes:

"Hi Enrico,

The differential of my Ghibli '94 2.8 (5-speed series 1 127,000 kms) starts roaring (quite loudly) at speeds above 120 km/h. Is this differential interchangeable with those of older Biturbos?

Thanks for your help!

Karel."

Jonny in The Netherlands writes:

"Hi there!

Regarding the Nardi steering wheel kit, I had the same problem when I was considering buying my Ghibli. I really loved the car, but given my dimensions (I'm just under 2.0m (6ft 6ins for you right hookers), I did not fit comfortable in the car.

However, the specialist from whom I eventually bought the car (Jorrit at Garage Roy Karsten, Noordwijk, The Netherlands) was able to extend the seat rails back (a common trick with old minis). Later I found a drawing for an extension hub for the steering wheel column (by some guy in the States for a Porsche racing car) he was able to get an associate of his to machine a piece of aluminium to the appropriate dimensions. He finished the piece in matt black and it looks perfect, just like the Japanese one. The beauty of this is that you can retain the original steering wheel, not like a Momo or Sparco spacer (which are available) that requires you to fit a new steering wheel.

The new steering wheel position means your fingers are further from the control stalks on the steering column, but I've got relatively long fingers so for me this is not a problem. It's amazing what a difference an inch can have on the comfort of your driving position... only wish the gear shifter was an inch or two further back now... but I can easily live with it the way it is.

Anyway... keep up with the good work on your site!

Cheers... Jonny.

Reply from Enrico:-

Re: Ghibli steering wheel extension:

"Hi Jonny,

Glad you fixed it. The seating rail extension sounds like a good idea. Do you have any photos of it?

Hope the steering wheel extension conversion didn't cost too much. The Nardi extension boss isn't too expensive.

Regards,

Enrico."

Reply from Jonny:-

Hi,

I can take a pic of the rail extension if you like? The good thing about it is that the further back you take the seat, the lower it is and so you also get slightly more head room.

The steering wheel extension was free! it was a condition of me buying the car...

I was going to fit some new bulbs in the front lights tomorrow (Philips premium jobs... supposed to be the best standard bulbs and I managed to obtain some at a very cheap price!) so will get a photo of the rails done then. Assuming the weather is OK. Any advice on changing the bulbs? I've not done it on the Ghibli before... had a quick look and seems there's not much room without removing the air boxes?

While I'm at it... don't suppose you know if later Ghiblis were fitted with more flexible bumbers? Mine was manufactured in '92 and has very brittle bumpers... I've had it parked in the street under a cover for the winter... when I uncovered it I found that someone had kindly reversed their towing hook into the front bumber, resulting in an ugly crack and loss of paint. On modern cars, the plastic used for bumpers is a bit more forgiving...

cheers... Jonny."

Reply from Enrico:-

Re: Changing Ghibli headlamp bulbs:

"Hi,

Removing the air filter housing, makes life a lot easier (see image below).

Simply unscrew the Jubilee clip (no 5) on the air intake hose and gently slide off the hose. Then lever off the four retaining clips (no 4) on the air filter assembly. Remove the lid (no 7) and then the air filter (no 3).

PLEASE NOTE. There is a small outlet (no 16) on the other side of the housing lid. On the passenger side (LHD cars) it is simply plugged so no further acion is necessary but on the driver's side you will need to carefully place the lid to one side with the small hose still attached. BE CAREFUL NOT TO PLACE TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THIS OUTLET AS IT IS EASY TO PULL OUT!!

You will then see a retaining bolt at the bottom of the housing (no 1). This will require an Allen key to unscrew. Once this bolt is removed simply pull up the housing. Take care not to lose the two rubber grommets (no 2) mounted in the bodywork, they come away very easily so take care not to lose any!

I have also attached instructions from the driver's handbook. The caps are of a bayonet type and a simple twist will release it.

Let me know how you get on with the new bulbs.

The front and rear bumpers on all Ghiblis are the same.

Regards,

Enrico."