Getting an idea what to look for

ratbag

Member
Messages
135
I like this. In a few words you consolidated 100's of posts on all the forums. You could also do the cam caps yourself for <$1000 here in the U.S. from what I understand.
Let me ask this. I have read that cars after September 2010 or 2011, can't remember which, have the upgraded variators and cam caps. I also read it started in the 2013 cars. What are your thoughts on this?
In the UK (and I suspect the US) the machining of the cam caps and fitting non return valves can ONLY be done by Maserati GB/N America.It is not a DIY job. In the US the variators were done under warranty even when out of warranty. Not sure if they still do. Variator failure only affects 2007/2008/2009 4.2/4.7s's before the golden engine number as previously mentioned. Yes Variators are now upgraded when doing a full. variator failure replacement job .
 

Lavazza

Member
Messages
1,060
I like this. In a few words you consolidated 100's of posts on all the forums. You could also do the cam caps yourself for <$1000 here in the U.S. from what I understand.
Let me ask this. I have read that cars after September 2010 or 2011, can't remember which, have the upgraded variators and cam caps. I also read it started in the 2013 cars. What are your thoughts on this?
I think this post adds balance, and reflects my understanding.
In the UK (and I suspect the US) the machining of the cam caps and fitting non return valves can ONLY be done by Maserati GB/N America.It is not a DIY job. In the US the variators were done under warranty even when out of warranty. Not sure if they still do. Variator failure only affects 2007/2008/2009 4.2/4.7s's before the golden engine number as previously mentioned. Yes Variators are now upgraded when doing a full. variator failure replacement job .
Interesting. So why won't Maserati replace outside of warranty in the UK?
 

Mission

New Member
Messages
9
I edited my previous reply.

TEM Performance Machine Shop in NAPA, CA does the mod according to Synthetic Performance Limited on YouTube
 

ratbag

Member
Messages
135
I think this post adds balance, and reflects my understanding.

Interesting. So why won't Maserati replace outside of warranty in the UK?
It all comes down to money/consumer rights. Yes it was a major design fault that Maserati GB should have admitted to and paid up. Maserati GB have no interest in helping anyone when a car is out of 3 year warranty. Their answer is "should have bought a Maserati extended warranty- that would have covered it" All in warranty repairs in the UK have to be submitted to Italy for approval. I had rusty wheel nuts at 2 years old and , yes, approval from Italy was needed. Maserati HQ clearly decided that the reputational damage to possible sales in the US if it became known that four year old cars were having expensive design fault failures was not worth the risk to sales. Not so in the UK.
 
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Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
The cam cap mods are not just done by Maserati, there are other routes here in the U.K, and by the sounds of it, in the US too.

I don’t agree that a major manufacturer would have stood up and done it. There are plenty of examples of other manufacturers sliding out if fixing known issues. But it is fair to say that Maserati U.K. do have a certain distain that isn’t apparent in communication with Italy.
 

ratbag

Member
Messages
135
The cam cap mods are not just done by Maserati, there are other routes here in the U.K, and by the sounds of it, in the US too.

I don’t agree that a major manufacturer would have stood up and done it. There are plenty of examples of other manufacturers sliding out if fixing known issues. But it is fair to say that Maserati U.K. do have a certain distain that isn’t apparent in communication with Italy.
Jaguar had major Cylinder bore liner failures on XK V8's , many many complete engines replaced FOC well out of warranty (Google it) Maserati would not have stood by their product in the same way? Ford GB has major overheating problems with the 1.0 Eco boost engine that over heat catastrophically without warning- They are currently replacing complete engines on even 6 year old cars.......foc
 
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Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Jaguar had major Cylinder bore liner failures on XK V8's , many many complete engines replaced FOC well out of warranty (Google it) Maserati would not have stood by their product in the same way? Ford GB has major overheating problems with the 1.0 Eco boost engine that over heat catastrophically without warning- They are currently replacing complete engines on even 6 year old cars.......foc

Can’t argue with your examples, but on the other side are Porsche IMS bearings, rusty Jaguar F types, VW diesel gate and numerous others.

It would be fair to say it’s a mixed bag, not just a Maserati issue. A corporate thing, risk vs reward vs customer service.
 
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NS75

New Member
Messages
27
Welcome to the madness Mission.

First off, there is no such thing as a cheap Maserati. Buy cheap and you will quickly find it needs a raft of items needing attention and they arnt cheap to maintain.

Secondly, have you considered spending a bit more and going for a 4.7 auto? No variators to worry about, newer and no dreaded water pipe at the back of the engine that splits.

Just read this post, this is very interesting. I am aware of the cam variator issues but I don't know about the water pipe issue. Could you explain a little bit more, is it related to the cam variators or is it a completely different problem? What is the cost of repairs if it happens? Thank you.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,746
The 'pipe' is part of the cooling system and not linked to the variation issue.

It splits and leaves you stranded and blowing steam... quite a big job to fix and the part is not that much, but the labour is.
 

NS75

New Member
Messages
27
The 'pipe' is part of the cooling system and not linked to the variation issue.

It splits and leaves you stranded and blowing steam... quite a big job to fix and the part is not that much, but the labour is.
Thank you Safrane. Does it affect potentially all GTS (4.2 or 4.7, MC Shift or Auto...?)?
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,746
The parts were modified along the life are the car, but I would advise you call sports italia garage for confirmation of when.
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
As I said on the other thread, a '59 plate car, if its got a 'slit' in the dash for the passenger airbag instead of the rectangle, it almost certainly has all the revised parts from the factory eg Variators, waterpipe etc.. But Engine number is for confirmation.