[archiegibbs]

The electric windows on my 89 328 GTS are very slow and sqeakey, and the air con feels like a mouse is blowing through a straw. Neither of these things are big problems for me, but wondered if that's just the way it is or if there is a cheap way of improving these things. Thanks

 

[ptiflipiou]

For the windows. go to Ricambi they have an accelerator (I put them on my 308 and it works great)

here's the link:

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/advan...ption=1&x=48&y=25&categories_id=&inc_subcat=1

For the A/C I don't know!

 

[Pete04222]

These are common problems on your car. The windows can be improved by dissassembling them and cleaning out all the hardened grease and replacing it with white lithium grease. A job you can do yourself. Here's some guidance: http://www.ferrarilife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2234

The A/C will be very expensive but considering that you are in the UK you could probably just forget it.

 

[archiegibbs]

The A/C will be very expensive but considering that you are in the UK you could probably just forget it.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the advice Pete, I'll check it out.

I could forget about the A/C , it's only sunny in the UK for a few days at a time, but I'm being optimistice about the global warming scam they are are blaming on car drivers, esp cars like F-Cars with high CO2 emissions. I can only see positive benefits to the the British weather, so bring it on. In fact I'll take the F out tomorrow to do my bit to improve the British weather !!

 

[t1fosI]

The electric windows on my 89 328 GTS are very slow and sqeakey, and the air con feels like a mouse is blowing through a straw. Neither of these things are big problems for me, but wondered if that's just the way it is or if there is a cheap way of improving these things. Thanks

Hi

I am relatively new to this forum and this is my first post here.

The problem with the electric windows is usually down to dry/hard window channels and/or as Capt. Pete said hardened grease. As a first step you could try to soften the channels/rubbing strip with some (a lot) of Silicone spray (I use a Wurth product which is quite good).

With the a/c you need to find out if the car has been upgraded to R134a or is it still running R12 (the latter was the original gas for a/c systems and was phased out in the mid-90's - it is now illegal). There are two ways you can find this out 1) Ask Nick Cartwright (is that from whom you bought the car?) to check for you or 2) Check the fittings on the car (for R134a the fitting is a schrader valve).

If the car is still running on R12 (which it may well be) than you will need to convert to R134a. Not a problem but it needs to be done professionally.

If the the car has been converted to R134a than you should have no problem just re-energising the system. A good local garage should be able to do this for you. Avoid Kwik-Fit/Mobile guys as all they usually do is cram gas into the system, you want someone to vacuum the system and add some leak detection dye before refilling. If the system does have a leak and that is why it is not working than the dye should pinpoint what you need to repair. Re-filling the system will also allow you to establish if the compressor is working.

Hope this helps, if you have any questions please do ask.

best
T1f

ps Just some reading off the web http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Cars-Air-Conditioning

 

[archiegibbs]

T1F, thanks for your reply, that's very useful info, I will check it out.

TBH the a/c isn't that much of an issue, as on warm days I take the roof off or have the windows open, but if there is a cheap solution it's worth considering. I'm also comparing it to the a/c and climate control on a 2005 audi, I guess it is never going to perform the same.

You sound like you're another Brit, where are you based?

BTW - welcome to the forum

Thanks

 

[Magnum6464]

I recommend the accelerators regardless; the problem is the motor is not getting enough juice (voltage) the guy who builds the units is an electrician. His product is so good that Ricambi sells it. No matter how you clear, repack etc…the question remains…what is the voltage.

I saw the video and it was pretty cool....

here is the link

www.ferrariwindow.com



~

 

[t1fosI]

Hiya,

I just watched the window video, it's very impressive. I am sure the long term solution is probably to install the Ricambi supplied unit.

I am based in London SE (UK), my family owns a garage business which I now run, hence the a/c info.

I was looking for a 328 about 18 months ago so I spent a lot of time researching them (to be honest I've been 'researching' them since I was 14!) I could not find a good one for my hard earned so in the end I bought a Merc SL500 Silver Arrow. But as you guys know the passion is always there, so I have tentatively started looking again and that is how I ended up here!

I have to say I particularly enjoy looking at the Garage photos

 

[archiegibbs]

I recommend the accelerators regardless; the problem is the motor is not getting enough juice (voltage) the guy who builds the units is an electrician. His product is so good that Ricambi sells it. No matter how you clear, repack etc…the question remains…what is the voltage.

I saw the video and it was pretty cool....

here is the link

www.ferrariwindow.com



~

Mario, thanks for that, just checked out the the website, and it looks perfect, simple to fit and cheap too

Has anyone else on here tried it out?

 

[archiegibbs]

Hiya,

I just watched the window video, it's very impressive. I am sure the long term solution is probably to install the Ricambi supplied unit.

I am based in London SE (UK), my family owns a garage business which I now run, hence the a/c info.

I was looking for a 328 about 18 months ago so I spent a lot of time researching them (to be honest I've been 'researching' them since I was 14!) I could not find a good one for my hard earned so in the end I bought a Merc SL500 Silver Arrow. But as you guys know the passion is always there, so I have tentatively started looking again and that is how I ended up here!

I have to say I particularly enjoy looking at the Garage photos

T1f, welcome and thanks for your advice. I was like you in the past, looking and then almost buying, but then for one reason or another puuting it off for a while and buying something else. Although the 500SL is a pretty tasty car, I'd quite like one myself.
The 328 is a great choice, originally I was looking at 355 and 348's, but most people I spoke to said that the 328 was the perfect 1st F car as they were so reliable and easier to work on, therefore cheaper to maintain. I still love the 355, but the 328 is so reliable I wouldn't part with her now.
There are plenty of 328's out there for between 25K GBP and 35K GBP. Some of the better known dealers are belowm most have got 328's in stock.
Gray Paul - Nottingham
Nick Cartwright - derbyshire
Rardley (Mike Wheeler)- London way
Kent High Performance Cars (Arthur)
DK Engineering - Watford
Rosso Corsa
Verdi
I don't know them all so wouldn't like to make any reco's, but I can say that I've spoken to the top 4 at great length and was very happy with the service and advice I received, esp from Nick and his son Ben, from whom I bought my car.
Don't give up the dream. I first went to Gray Paul 11 yrs before I eventually bought one.

 

[t1fosI]

Thanks Archie,

I saw a couple a little while ago, I drove down to Lyndhurst on one of my rare days off and had a look at one with Meridien Modena, then I had a look a few weeks ago at one with Graypaul, but to be honest neither of the cars were appealing. I have to say the guys at both Meridien & Graypaul were very nice (a little cautious at first - and then they warmed to me!). When I was looking for the first time I went to Foskers @ BrandsHatch, which is down the road from me and the guy there was absolutely fantastic, he gave me a test drive just to get a feel. :drive: I was really impressed with that. I have spoken briefly to Mike Wheeler and he too seems a nice chap. Just waiting for the right one. I think I would like a late 89/90 GTS in Giallo or Nero - I don't know if there are any though?

 

[archiegibbs]

T1f, good luck with your search. I opted for a late 89 too. I am no expert on how many RHD's were made in Giallo or Nero, but I would think that there are very few that fit that exact requirement, Rosso's not so bad

 

[Andrew]

t1fosI,

Welcome to the site, thanks for the great post on a/c systems.

 

[t1fosI]

Thank you Enzo250GTO

Archie, I may have an update for you if your 328 is still running R12. One of my techs had the a/c on his '89 635CSi re-energised last night, the car has not been converted to R134a, and apparently now the a/c is ice cold. I have asked him to find out what what was used - it was done by the uncle of a mate, the unc from what I understand is a refrigeration specialist. I'll let you know what I find out.

Rosso is deliciously beautiful, but Giallo is...the 308 GTS that used to drive down my street every saturday in the summer holidays when I was 14, the summer of Live Aid

 

[archiegibbs]

Thank you Enzo250GTO

Archie, I may have an update for you if your 328 is still running R12. One of my techs had the a/c on his '89 635CSi re-energised last night, the car has not been converted to R134a, and apparently now the a/c is ice cold. I have asked him to find out what what was used - it was done by the uncle of a mate, the unc from what I understand is a refrigeration specialist. I'll let you know what I find out.

Please do, many thanks


Rosso is deliciously beautiful, but Giallo is...the 308 GTS that used to drive down my street every saturday in the summer holidays when I was 14, the summer of Live Aid

Giallo is cool, but I think it's one of those colours I'd end up regretting buying. I'm far too boring and played it safe with Rosso

 

[t1fosI]

Rosso is definitive, classic!