Quick Answer
A 2019 Maserati Ghibli stalled exclusively during right turns at low speed. Two shops diagnosed fuel pump failure (AED 22,000 quote). Root cause: a cracked baffle inside the fuel tank that a
Some faults have a logic so specific that they sound made up. This is one of them.
The owner described the problem with the precision of an engineer: "It stalls on right turns. Not always. Only when the fuel gauge reads below half. Never on left turns. Never going straight. Only right, only below half tank."
He'd been tracking it for four months. He'd filled detailed notes. He'd visited two garages. Both concluded fuel pump failure — one quoted AED 18,000, the other AED 22,000 for a complete fuel delivery system replacement.
Neither had asked the obvious question: why would a fuel pump fail only during right turns?
Inside every fuel tank is a baffle system — a series of internal walls and chambers designed to prevent fuel from sloshing freely during vehicle movement. Without baffles, fuel would rush to one side during turns, potentially uncovering the fuel pickup (the pipe that feeds fuel to the engine).
In a properly baffled tank:
In a tank with a damaged baffle:
We confirmed the owner's observations with controlled testing:
This progressive pattern ruled out fuel pump failure (a failing pump would stall regardless of fuel level and direction).
We installed a fuel pressure data logger and drove the vehicle through a route with multiple right and left turns at 1/4 tank.
Results:
This confirmed fuel starvation during right turns — but only during right turns. The fuel pump was generating correct pressure when it had fuel to pump. The problem was fuel access, not pump function.
With the direction-specific fuel starvation confirmed, we inspected the fuel tank.
Method: Endoscopic camera inserted through the fuel level sender opening.
Finding: A crack in the internal baffle wall on the right side of the tank. The crack ran approximately 15 cm along a seam where the baffle was welded to the tank shell. This crack allowed fuel to flow freely past the baffle during right turns, rushing to the right side of the tank and away from the centrally located fuel pickup.
Dubai connection: Fuel tanks on many vehicles use plastic baffles welded or bonded to the tank interior. Dubai's temperature cycling — fuel temperature varying from 25°C to 55°C+ depending on sun exposure and driving — creates thermal stress on these bonded joints. Over 4-5 years, thermal fatigue can crack baffle welds.
Additionally, Dubai's aggressive speed bumps and road construction create impacts that stress internal tank components — an issue less prevalent on smoother European roads.
Option A: Replace the complete fuel tank assembly (AED 8,000-12,000 for Maserati tank + labour)
Option B: Repair the baffle — access through the fuel sender opening, weld/bond the crack with fuel-compatible epoxy, reinforce the baffle wall
We chose Option B after confirming the tank shell was sound and only the baffle was damaged.
Repair cost:
Post-repair testing at 1/4 tank:
Both shops read the symptoms — stalling — and jumped to the most common cause: fuel pump failure. Neither performed directional testing. Neither monitored fuel pressure during turns. Neither asked the owner to describe the pattern.
The owner had done their diagnostic work for them. He knew it was direction-specific and fuel-level-dependent. That information alone ruled out pump failure. But neither shop listened to the symptom pattern.
When both shops tested the fuel pump in their workshop, the car was stationary. Fuel was sitting evenly in the tank. The pump tested normally — because the problem only manifests during lateral acceleration (turning). Static testing of a dynamic problem produces false results every time.
Q: How common is fuel tank baffle failure?
A: Uncommon in temperate climates, but increasingly documented in Gulf conditions. We see 2-3 cases per year across all brands. Plastic-baffled tanks are more susceptible than metal-baffled designs. Maserati, some BMW, and some Audi models use plastic internal baffles.
Q: Can a fuel pump actually fail from direction-specific starvation?
A: Yes — repeated air ingestion damages fuel pump bearings and impeller over time. If the baffle issue isn't fixed, the pump will eventually fail from running dry during turns. The owner was correct to be concerned about long-term damage.
Q: Would a fuel pressure gauge have helped me diagnose this at home?
A: A fuel pressure gauge would confirm fuel starvation but wouldn't identify the cause. You'd know the pressure drops during turns but wouldn't know whether the issue is the pump, a blockage, or a baffle failure without further investigation.
Q: Is this covered under warranty?
A: Internal tank baffle damage may be covered if the vehicle is under manufacturer warranty, as it's arguably a manufacturing defect (baffle weld failure). Extended warranties vary. Document the directional nature of the fault and the endoscopic evidence of the crack when making a warranty claim.
Q: Should I keep my tank above half as a workaround?
A: As a temporary measure, yes — keeping the tank above half prevents the fuel level from dropping enough for the baffle damage to cause stalling. But this doesn't fix the underlying issue, and the baffle crack will worsen over time. Repair is recommended.
When a problem has a specific, repeatable pattern, the diagnosis should explain that pattern. "Fuel pump failure" doesn't explain why the car stalls only on right turns below half tank. A cracked baffle does.
Equipment. Knowledge. Patience. And sometimes, listening.
No Fix, No Fee.
Reviewed by [Lead Diagnostic Engineer], MotorMec Dubai. Last updated: February 2026
