Gransport Potential Issues and Fixes List

BL330

BL330

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Firstly, I love my GS. I have had it 6.5 years and covered 75,000 kilometres on top off the 90,000 kilometres it had at purchase.
In that time I have also gone through most of the issues one can get with this model, as most have much lower usage than mine, so to enlighten new players, here is my list -
Heater core leaking - first sign in mine was poor AM radio signal, then wet patch in passenger footwell and the smell
Alternator cooked - it sits in the V of the engine covered by the air intake plenum
Air Cond Compressor clutch goes - it is wrapped by exhaust manifold and suffers from the heat
Clutch - well reported, there was a poor batch. Aussies have found superior F430 clutch is the fix. I have it, much nicer to drive
Lower Control Arms cracking - uncovered on this forum and well documented
F1 Pump relay overheats and fails - causing no gear selection at all. Replace with higher capacity Amp rated. I think mine is 70 Amp now
Do not drive through deep puddles - air intake is under the left bumper. can cause engine lock.
Treat the reverse lever gently as it is prone to break. Hill Engineering have a stronger replacement mechanism.
Driver's window mechanism breaks.
English cars can get rusted bolts in the air cleaner housing
Drainage pipe leaks into drivers floor - good thread on how to sort this on this forum

Maintenance Hints
Clean throttle body regularly - oil vapours feed into the air intake system after the MAF sensor and coat the throttle body reducing performance
Clean MAF Sensor from time to time - requires 5 pin security Torx set to access and proper MAF sensor spray

Cosmetics
Chrome rings around air vents flake - replace if stock can be found as I did. Threads on here about repainting them
Rubberised buttons and surfaces wear or are sticky - Send them to Lorenzo in Florida as I did or various threads on how to clean them on here
Headlight Lenses discolour on the inside - I am fixing this today. Cut my fingers last weekend trying. Threads on here to follow
Rear Window Rubber distorts - Still getting around to this. Requires removal of rear interior for windscreen guy to replace the rubber.

Performance Improvements
  1. Replace front section of the exhaust which wraps under a support stay. Huge improvement in breathing. I love my Larini pipes
  2. Drivability is greatly improved with the Formula Dynamics Drive by Wire Enhancement Module

Have I forgotten anything?
 
Zep

Zep

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Only that issues implies it happens to every car. Potential issues perhaps?

I would add:

Rear tie rod bearings (SKF GE15C)
Potential cat break up (rare but expensive)
Corrosion under rear lights (occasional)
Subframe (check regularly)
Radiators can leak (like any car)
Lambda sensors fail over time
Oil / water pump shaft (very rare)

But the danger with this sort of thing is they make issues sound inevitable, which in general, they aren’t. Well, not all of them.
 
Twinspark

Twinspark

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460
I've never heard about the F430 clutch upgrade ever, the F430 clutch looks a bit different in that it has only 5 springs compared to the 6 in the Maserati. Is it a direct swap and is it documented anywhere?
 
BL330

BL330

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1,121
Zep said:
Only that issues implies it happens to every car. Potential issues perhaps?

I would add:

Rear tie rod bearings (SKF GE15C)
Potential cat break up (rare but expensive)
Corrosion under rear lights (occasional)
Subframe (check regularly)
Radiators can leak (like any car)
Lambda sensors fail over time
Oil / water pump shaft (very rare)

But the danger with this sort of thing is they make issues sound inevitable, which in general, they aren’t. Well, not all of them.
Click to expand...
Good call, as a moderator are you able to edit the title to "Gransport Potential Issues List" ?
Thanks also for the other items.
 
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EnzoMC

EnzoMC

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mods can we pin this thread? if it stays on topic :D:oops:

The GS are solid cars - they love to be driven and think they respond better and become more reliable. (had mine for 9yr+), like with any car they will have issues and out of the list, I've only had the follow; plus the rust on rear lights and weeping cam cover gasket (can do yourself).

The GS is the sister car to the Ferrai F430, you may also find these issues are also related.

hot start issues (not common) - fixed by replacing temp sensor or in my case injector rail.

failed door lock (very rare) - replace door catch mechanism (cheap and easy to do)

rattle on start up (common) - can check if you have oil in the variator connector, if so replace variators. (not just related to GS)

temp reading on dash incorrect (common) - replace outside temp sensor on wind mirror (cheap and easy to do yourself)

petrol smell (rare) - as part of service schedule, replace fuel evaporator

not smooth passed 80-100 (maybe just mine) - replace seal on air intake, engine getting too much air.

failed gearbox (maybe just mine) - not enough oil in the gearbox when serviced / checked.



also recent one from Paul;
starting issue (very rare) - connections on starter button need cleaning

I've heard about the wheels on the GS being fragile, but I've not seen any reports.
 
T

TimR

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Funny...potential, whatever..!
The heater matrix is a definite, potentially !
:p
Twinspark said:
I've never heard about the F430 clutch upgrade ever, the F430 clutch looks a bit different in that it has only 5 springs compared to the 6 in the Maserati. Is it a direct swap and is it documented anywhere?
Click to expand...
This...<

EnzoMC said:
rattle on start up (common) - can check if you have oil in the variator connector, if so replace variators. (not just related to GS)
Click to expand...
Interesting...I replaced the one way valve; it hasnt solved it entirely. And I recently did cam cover gaskets and noticed an oily connector block on the variator solenoid...:rolleyes:
 
EnzoMC

EnzoMC

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TimR said:
Interesting...I replaced the one way valve; it hasnt solved it entirely. And I recently did cam cover gaskets and noticed an oily connector block on the variator solenoid...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

doh! the main cause is variators, replacing both variators is easy if you've also done the cam covers. just be very careful when removing the variators as their is a small block hold them in place (on the chain side) that can fall into the engine. I was told about this and saved me from a major pain.
 
Twinspark

Twinspark

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460
I'm only getting a rattle on cold starts... when starting warm it shows no issues. The engine block seems dry so no seepage there so I'm guessing its the one way valve? Could it be anything else?
 
T

TimR

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2,731
Twinspark said:
I'm only getting a rattle on cold starts... when starting warm it shows no issues. The engine block seems dry so no seepage there so I'm guessing its the one way valve? Could it be anything else?
Click to expand...
Same here...
Replacing the one way vlave helps...Its cheap quick and easy. No brainer.

The implication I inferred from the above was that the connector block, being dowsed in oil, was responsible in some way for the rattle...?
Either tje oil is running back from the variator; or it gets in at the connector block itself..which seems more likely?
I doubt it's the variators tbh. 4200/GS variators do not suffer the issues of the GT' et al, AFAIK...
 
BL330

BL330

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1,121
"I've heard about the wheels on the GS being fragile, but I've not seen any reports."
Yes got that one too. Hit a ridge on a highway where new tar was being laid. B*ggers left a 2 inch lip which I hit at 100 kph and cracked a front rim.
Tried to have it fixed 2 times. Bought another set cheap, with one unmarked front and 3 cracked with repairs. So when I colour match them I'll have one good set for concours and one rough set for track days maybe? So yes they are fragile. Reports from US many went to 18's, so I have as well.

Also have rattle after a hard run. Could be tappets ( have heard of others requiring replacement ) or it could be the water / oil pump not being up to the task. Cold idle is perfect so makes me think tappets are okay.
 
Zep

Zep

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While the rims are a little softer than some, they probably aren’t as bad as some BMW wheels. Cracking after hitting a 2” ridge at 60 is probably understandable. I probably would too!
 
Twinspark

Twinspark

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460
TimR said:
This...<
Click to expand...
I've seen a thread talking about the F430 clutch here: https://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/index.php?threads/cutch-has-gone.22553/#post-536718 but it really doesn't say much else i.e. whats needed to be done.

I find it interesting that a potentially huge upgrade has so little research/write-ups behind it, I also checked the Ferrari forums if some 360 owners did this but seems like nobody did, after all, its hard to make a gamble on a crucial and expensive job.

Zep said:
While the rims are a little softer than some, they probably aren’t as bad as some BMW wheels. Cracking after hitting a 2” ridge at 60 is probably understandable. I probably would too!
Click to expand...
Agreed... Jags especially had really soft rims.
 
Evo Cymru

Evo Cymru

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688
I would add about checking the suspension wishbones for cracks - both my lower fronts had them! I also took the opportunity to replace the bushes/flan blocks on all the others as I checked them.
 
Twinspark

Twinspark

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460
hashluck said:
Does anyone have the part number and a source for the one-way valve please?
Click to expand...
#180267
https://www.eurospares.co.uk/parts/ferrari/enzo/engine/lh-cylinder-head-36810/180267
#10261060

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and the thread they talk about it https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/top-end-rattle-at-start-up.22107/

Interestingly the same part number is 10 pounds cheaper on ES in the Ferraris than the Maseratis.
 
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