Alex in The Netherlands writes:

"I am thinking of replacing the faulty Maserati/Koni electronic shock absorbers on my Ghibli GT with a used set that have already done around 60,000 km...

Do you know how long shocks normally last before one has to re-charge them?

Regards!

Alex."

Reply from Alessandro:-

Re: Ghibli electronic shock absorbers:

"There is absolutely NOTHING complicated in overhauling these shocks and no special instruments needed.

Would it be useful if I wrote a short article on how to do it? - YES PLEASE!!!!!

Could you post this reply for Alex asap in the "Can you help" section?

Sportsline Suspension in Brackley on 01280 702633. They just fit a valve in the casing where the original rivet is and charge them up. They also do re-builds providing the parts can be sourced.

Having had a bad experience with shocks I'd like to throw some light on it for people.

Alessandro."

Reply from Andy:-

Re: Ghibli electronic shock absorbers:

"You can't recharge them, I'm afraid. New is the only option.

Andy."

Jonny in the Netherlands writes:

"Hi there,

While surfing around looking for all things Ghibli, I noticed that Superchips ( www.superchips.co.uk ) are offering a chip mod for the Ghibli, claiming an increase in torque and power of up to 30%.

Unfortunately, they don't have dyno data to compare before and after the mod, so I'd be interested to hear if anyone has undertaken this mod and whether it's worthwhile?

I've heard mixed reviews on superchips, so any general comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards...

Jonny."

Richard in Germany writes:

"Hi Enrico,

I want to remove my "Kat" out of my Ghibli 2.8. Do you have any experience with that? Do I have to readjust the electronic-box or anything else? Or can I remove it only and put the pipe in between? Is there any heavy change in the sound whilst driving?

Best regards,

Richard."

Reply from Andy:-

Re: Ghibli exhaust system:

"You can fit straight through pipes in place of the 'Kat' but they must include fittings to refit the lambda sensors to the system. Then you should use the diagnostic box to reset the ECU parameters if you want to make the most of it. The sound is quite fruity but most noticeable at idle rather than on the road.

Andy."

Chris in Greece writes:

"Hi,

First of all I wish to congratulate you on your site!! Its really excellent.

I am a Maserati 224 owner and I am looking for a Ghibli engine (complete with computers etc) as well as a Ghibli gearbox and differential. Can you help....any suggestions..??

Thanks and best regards,

Chris."

Wim in Belgium writes:

"Hi Enrico,

Do you know if the electronic shock absorbers from the 1992 Ghibli series I 2.0 are interchangeable with the 4.24v.?

Thanks for your help!

Kind regards,

Wim."

Reply from Enrico:-

Reply from Andy:-

Re: Ghibli I shock absorbers:

"No, the shocks are not the same and are different part numbers.

Andy."

George in Greece writes:

"Sir/s,

My name is George, I own a 95 GHIBLI GT. After a 5 day period when I hadn't operated it, the engine started something like 'chungs' and 'bangs' accompanied by a great lack of power, above 3500RPM everything was working normally.

Under these condition in idle all the 3 left-hand cylinders works abnormally or even not working. When I refuel it everything stopped and the engine ran properly.

When fuel reached min, all started again so I refuel it and the problem stopped. I checked the fuel system, I replaced the fuel filters, I also checked fuel regulator, rails, hoses injectors and ignition system, nothing abnormal.

The car runs about 500km perfectly and the problem reappeared.

First thing I done was to refill it but now doesn't work.

Can you please help me?

Thank you.

George."

Reply from Andy:-

Paul in the UK writes:

"Hello,

I must first congratulate you on what is a truly superb site and clearly a real labour of love. But then from looking at everyones replies and other sites all Maserati`s are a labour of love and there really does is an international community of fellow enthusiasts.

I have an Automatic MY 94 Ghibli that seems to be typically (from reading about it) leaking at the cam cover. On mine it is leaking on the right looking at the engine from the front. It does not seem to be leaking from the breather pipe as per your site suggestion in relation to another query about an oil leak.

On a quick run the oil seems to gather at the back of the cover in the raised sections. However this Sunday on back lanes cruise it had cast oil pretty much all over the cover. I almost suspect it comes from one of the power packs ? I contacted Bill McGraths and have ordered the "rubber string" gasket to replace the old one for when I remove the cover. Both cams have by the look of it been sealed in the past with "instant gasket" material as you can see some minor overflow from it. McGraths service was excellent by the way as I ordered some other ancillery pieces and they arrived in two days.

Question?

1. Should there just be the "rubber string" to make the gasket on the cam cover, or should it be used in conjunction with "instant gasket".

2. What should the torque setting be for the cover bolts and what should the torque setting be for the power packs as I assume they have to come off first?

Sorry to go on it`s my first time!

Best regards to you all.

Paul."

Reply from Andy:-

Re: Ghibli II cam cover:

"Maserati originally used grease to seal the cam cover rubber with a little silicone sealant in the corners (especially where the material is joined). We use a silicone based sealant all over but make sure it is of a type that does not harden when in contact with oil. Don't worry about a torque figure for the cover screws - it's not that critical. However, what we have found is that most cam cover oil leaks are caused by a crack in the cover itself rather than a gasket problem and therefore when you have the cover off, clean and inspect it thoroughly for a crack. If by power pack you mean the ignition coils, again a torque figure is not critical. There is no oil in these however, so unlikely to be the cause of your leak!!

Andy."

Reply from Enrico:-

Re: Ghibli II cam cover:

"Hi Paul,

Delighted to hear thet Bill McGrath looked after you. They have a wonderful reputation.

I have checked the workshop manual and surprisingly there are no torque settings given for the cam covers or the direct ignition power packs. Attached are two images from the workshop manual which I have on CD-rom. Here are four pages from the Ghibli Parts Manual (also available on CD-rom), two showing the cylinder head gaskets. Please note that rubber gasket No 2 is long enough to use with the front and rear cam covers. The other two showing the cylinder head parts.

Hope this helps,

Enrico.

Update No.1 from Paul:-

Re: Ghibli II cam cover:

"Enrico,

Just to let you know I changed the cam cover seal today and there is still a leak. However I stopped early enough to identify it as coming from the Number 2 and 3 "trees" (toward the rear) that support the power pack rails in.......The 3 studs that drop into the engine if you are with me. Number 1 to the front of the engine was sound.

I had suspected this could be the weak spot before, and had laced these joints with some sealant before re - assembling but did not fill the total holes out of the cover as I did not think that a capillary action would take place with the joint already made. Clearly it has and oil is escaping. I can see no suggestion from the CD that there is gasket to seal these off, but clearly these are are a potential weak spot.

There was luckily as Andy may have suggested no crack in the cover, and there is no leak in any of the joints that I made (good at least) other than the 2 mentioned. So tomorrow I will be dropping the power packs off again and making good the joints further as I know the cover is sound.

Thanks for the advise and the CD and I will let you know how it goes.

Regards,

Paul."

Update No.2 from Paul:-

Re: Ghibli II cam cover:

"Enrico,

Cracked it today.

I dismantled the power pack rails and bolts and then cleaned them all and the holes / faces thoroughly with petrol on some cotton buds. Then I made some new washers to replace the old ones and jointed it all back together using red Hermatite so that any overspill from tightening down matched the cam cover colour. It is obvious that if the joints to the trees are not sound then there will be problems, there is nothing to stop the oil wicking up the tree and on to the cover.

I Drove 60 miles there and back to my Aunt and Uncle's and there was no leak there and no leak back.

Thank you for the CD and the enclosures you sent initially, please pass on my thanks to Andy too for his speedy reply. I finally got my copy of Trident and the membership forms from the Maserati club on Saturday. Cheque in the post tomorrow.

Regards,

Paul."