See What Happens When A Maserati Ghibli Engine Is Starved Of Oil

Jun. 29, 2023 2:18 PM ET byCesar Miguel Engine /1 Comment

It's full of water, but that's the least of its problems.

Seeing the insides of a Ferrari-designed engine is a rare treat, but luckily, engine teardown specialist and YouTuberI Do Carshas gotten his hands on aMaserati GhibliF160 V6. Previously, we had already witnessed the guy working ona Cummins diesel engineto find out what killed it. It's time for the European V6 to get the same treatment.

According to Eric, the presenter, the V6 mill was left in the open on a field. It was full of water when he found it, but despite that, he made short work of taking off the engine's accessory bits. He likewise turned it over and reported that he heard the timing chain slapping: a sign of worse things to come.

I Do Cars/YouTube

After opening the engine up, both its camshafts showed damage and scratches on their lobes and journals. Bits of timing guide material were found underneath the chain and in the oil pan's pickup. This could have restricted oil flow, according to the presenter.

Most timing tensioners were also missing their plastic components or were chipped off. It was theorized that these parts turn brittle over time, turn to pieces, and make their way to the oil pan. But thankfully, the oil pan and its filter didn't have metal shavings.

I Do Cars/YouTube

Besides the damage on both camshafts, the pistons and the cylinders looked fine. The engine didn't show signs of catastrophic failure, but its early death could have something to do with the timing guide bits blockingengine oilflow. It's already estimated to be an eight or nine-year-old engine, but timing components don't just fall apart like that.

Whatever the case, remember that the Italian car brand will bekilling off the Ghibli by 2024, so it doesn't look like it will have time to get a "better engine."

Instead, the Italian brand will "fuse the Ghibli and the Quattroporte" into one new car, likely an electric model like the forthcomingMaserati GranTurismo Folgore.