Greetings AstonFolks...
I'm Jerijan and my Fiancee' and I have just received our new (pre owned) 2002 AstonMartin DB7 Vantage Volante with "Touchtronic"...All Superlatives Apply. On our very first outting with this about two hours into our 'Day in the Park' the car suddenly started lobing at low speeds under load (uphill). Sounded and felt like the driver was pushing, let off, pushing, let off, pushing, let off, etc the gas pedal. No downshift unless in "Touchmatic", and when even in Touchtronic, it acted like no power (well, kind of lame). We abandoned our 'Day in the Park' and headed home; the lobing still is present though after we left the 35mph park, it seemed much happier at higher speeds.
Also, at idle, it runs quite rich (hydrocarbons). Anyone have any guesses what might be happening here?
First day and we encounter this. Scarey.
Thanks in advance...
Jerijan and Nancy

 

You won't get much help here as this is a 90% V8 Vantage, 9% DB9, 1% other AM group. For possibly quicker assitance, try posting in the AM forum on pistonheads.com or in the 'Bloxham' forum on AMOC.org

 

Aye, that sounds pretty good direction to me. I'll try that TOO. But if anyone has any guesses, I'm listening!
Jj

 

I'm pretty "Aced" on DB7's..it is a V12 for it's 2002 model..The DB7's are known to have 1 of th 2 fuel pumps fail. When the pump fails only 1 bank of the engine will operate correctly. Due to there being no misfire, the MIL will not activate to indicate that a fuel pump has eaten the dust(for there are 2 engine mangement systems). The engine will also run "almost" perfectly to the unknown user, the engine will operate and sound like a Inline-6.

With 1 fuel pump taking the dust and only half the engine working..this will reduce power "a lot"..but to someone not knowing this, they will think nothing is wrong...now I'm not stating this is the fault and your concerned part..but a common possibility, this would need to be further diagnosed by checking rail pressure if the exhaust tone signals half bank only working.

Another fault that can be of this conern, is fouled spark plugs. The V12's in the Vanquish and DB7's are known for plug fouling. Clients do not drive the vehicle long enough for the plugs to burn off unburnt fuel, thus fouled plugs ocur..this is only/usually the case on Vanquish and DB7's with low mileage that were not really driven long distances..DB9 onwards have different PCM calibrations to better help take care of prevention to fouled plugs.

Hope this helps..