4.2L (Cold) Rough Start/Cam Shaft Variators

[MaseratiGent]

When I start my 2009 QP 4.2L (wet sump) if the engine's cold it would sound rough/the car vibrates a lot for 2-3 seconds and then is fine. If the engine has been recently run it does not exhibit this behaviour.

I popped in to Joe Macari today and got talking to a very helpful chap there about Maserati GTs and Ferraris. He had previously been a technician and (without me mentioning symptoms/engine issues) he said you need to watch out for the cam shaft variators on 4.2L QPs and explained the symptoms. I realized that was exactly what I had. Lo and behold when I got into the car to drive home it was fine on start up as the engine wasn't cold.

Has anyone else suffered this? It's a question of when the engine fails without it being fixed apparently...

 

[Wanderer]

For wet sump depends on engine number, Maserati fixed it later. 7k job to fix I think though if you are unlucky.

Mines a dry sump and occasionally get the rattle on start, 0.5 sec to 1 sec max, not done it for ages tho think colder weather thickens the oil when car is cold. Never does it when warm/hot.

Mine never vibrates tho, just an ugly plasticky slapping...

 

[steve3200]

For wet sump depends on engine number, Maserati fixed it later. 7k job to fix I think though if you are unlucky.

Mines a dry sump and occasionally get the rattle on start, 0.5 sec to 1 sec max, not done it for ages tho think colder weather thickens the oil when car is cold. Never does it when warm/hot.

Mine never vibrates tho, just an ugly plasticky slapping...

its a fairly common issue on the 4.2/4.7 the fix is quite straightforward for most maserati specialist garages, the job is almost a 'menu' item, usually about £1,500 each side (there are two), £3,000 total, your 7k figure sounds like the main dealer price

 

[MarkMas]

https://www.sportsmaserati.com/inde...e-to-contact-him-and.30124/page-2#post-731317

 

[CatmanV2]

Yep variators are a know issue.

Not sure about engine failure, but it's not good
C

 

[conaero]

At SportsItalia we carry out the cam cap mod, new rocker gaskets, oil and filter change for £1550.

9/10 this fixes the issue without the need to replace the variators.

We have done about 8 in the past year all fixed with the cap mod only.

 

[Oneball]

At SportsItalia we carry out the cam cap mod, new rocker gaskets, oil and filter change for £1550.

9/10 this fixes the issue without the need to replace the variators.

We have done about 8 in the past year all fixed with the cap mod only.

Are the variators the same on pre and post affected cars or were they changed along with the cams?

 

[ChrisQP09]

When I start my 2009 QP 4.2L (wet sump) if the engine's cold it would sound rough/the car vibrates a lot for 2-3 seconds and then is fine. If the engine has been recently run it does not exhibit this behaviour.

I popped in to Joe Macari today and got talking to a very helpful chap there about Maserati GTs and Ferraris. He had previously been a technician and (without me mentioning symptoms/engine issues) he said you need to watch out for the cam shaft variators on 4.2L QPs and explained the symptoms. I realized that was exactly what I had. Lo and behold when I got into the car to drive home it was fine on start up as the engine wasn't cold.

Has anyone else suffered this? It's a question of when the engine fails without it being fixed apparently...

The 4.2L is a dry sump for reference.

Also I think that any real engine damage is rare but possible with metal shavings being apparent from chronic vibration?

 

[MaseratiGent]

The 4.2L is a dry sump for reference.

Also I think that any real engine damage is rare but possible with metal shavings being apparent from chronic vibration?

I haven't found (looked hard enough) for the engine ID yet but thought all M139s from 2007 onward were F136UC's with Wet Sumps?

 

[Wanderer]

I think the 'rule' wrt to QP's is all DS's are 4.2l dry sumps, all auto's are either 4.2l or 4.7l wet sumps. The change was needed as the gearbox was moved to the front AIUI and had a different variator feed system, which causes said problem, which isn't the same general problem the dry sump engines have with the occasional rattle.

 

[MaseratiGent]

Ok, mine is 2009 and Auto (ZF).

 

[conaero]

Are the variators the same on pre and post affected cars or were they changed along with the cams?

Good question.

I assume (I’ve never looked) that the variator caps on post cars have the non return valves machined from new.

For some unknown reason only known to Maserati you can’t buy the caps separately, it’s all a part of the complete cylinder head.

Machining costs by Maserati via a dealer only is circa £600 for the pair inc delivery and VAT.

 

[Zep]

I thought the issue was that the caps are line bored in the factory and there aren’t any bearings inserted in the head. So if you buy a new cap it has to be matched to the head?

 

[ChrisQP09]

I thought the issue was that the caps are line bored in the factory and there aren’t any bearings inserted in the head. So if you buy a new cap it has to be matched to the head?

Correct Sir! After chatting to Shiltech a few months back, they confirmed that the cam caps are unique to the head. Otherwise ebay would be full of guys selling spares.

 

[conaero]

Well, there you go. It makes sense.

 

[ScottGT]

Hi all, I also have a suspected cam variator noise but I'm not 100% sure if that's what the knock/rattle is I have take a recording if anyone would be able to advise?
Cheers
Scott

 

[Felonious Crud]

Hi all, I also have a suspected cam variator noise but I'm not 100% sure if that's what the knock/rattle is I have take a recording if anyone would be able to advise?
Cheers
Scott

Hullo, Scott. Stick it on YouTube and post a link here, someone will respond.

 

[ScottGT]

Hi,
Please see youtube link below for start noise.

Regards

Scott

 

[dickygrace]

Sounds like it. That dreaded noise.

 

[CatmanV2]

Sounds like it. That dreaded noise.

Dunnit just

C