Variators

[Michael]

I emailed Maserati UK GM for Northern Europe after corresponding with the head of customer service. I have to say both people at Maserati responded with hours - so full marks to them and have been transparent - I may not like the reply but it is clear - would be nice to have deal to have the issue rectified at cost or similar. Here it is:

Dear Mr. Clifford,

Thank you for your e-mail!

I have taken the opportunity to speak to Paul Green about your enquiry to ensure that I was fully aware of the situation before responding to you.

Maserati, as with most automotive manufacturers, will continue to develop aspects of their vehicles to allow for the incorporation of new technology, new materials, new manufacturing processes etc. and as a result it is not uncommon for parts to be superseded during the production life of a model. You will be aware that Maserati offers a three year unlimited mileage warranty from purchase as a new vehicle. All warrantable defects identified in that period would of course be rectified under the terms of that warranty. I understand that your vehicle has only recently shown signs of noisy variators, a significant period after the expiration of the warranty.

I am assured by our technical team that the sound heard on start-up from the variators causes no long term detrimental effect to the operation of your Maserati and therefore only, if you do not accept the sound that they make on start-up, do they need to be replaced at all.

Regards,


Peter.

 

[Felonious Crud]

I am assured by our technical team that the sound heard on start-up from the variators causes no long term detrimental effect to the operation of your Maserati and therefore only, if you do not accept the sound that they make on start-up, do they need to be replaced at all.
[/I]

That's reassuring, at least. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Ebenezer]

That's reassuring, at least. Thanks for sharing.

+1

Good news! So when does it become a problem? Is it when the noise continues after start up? Anyone experienced how this progresses?
Thanks
Eb

 

[Michael]

+1

Good news! So when does it become a problem? Is it when the noise continues after start up? Anyone experienced how this progresses?
Thanks
Eb

That's the big question. The OP shows his excellent work replacing these - I guess I'd like to know why the owner of the car wanted them done. Reading into my email correspondence with Maserati UK they seem to say it is a noise thing - no damage happening. My GT has 22k on the clock, does it when the weather is cold mostly. BTW - all 4.2 dry sump engines have it up until a certain chassis number - although I don't know what this is, guess a good google will reveal it on the US forums probably.

 

[daverichardson]

Although I did not own the car at the time
My QP variators were noisy on start up and that progressively worsened until the noise happened
continuously as the previous owner drove along.
So if it is ok on start up at what point does the noise become indicative of (potntial) damage?

 

[ChrisQP09]

Does the noise only occur on start up then or does it continually progress into everyday driving?

 

[ChrisQP09]

Although I did not own the car at the time
My QP variators were noisy on start up and that progressively worsened until the noise happened
continuously as the previous owner drove along.
So if it is ok on start up at what point does the noise become indicative of (potntial) damage?

Surely if the noise is occurring this is not representative of how the part ought to function?

 

[Dyer3200]

Although I did not own the car at the time
My QP variators were noisy on start up and that progressively worsened until the noise happened
continuously as the previous owner drove along.
So if it is ok on start up at what point does the noise become indicative of (potntial) damage?

At the point where the engine wont pull and feels lumpy like it is running on 4 cylinders and you have the rev the **** off to keep it moving or stall

 

[Michael]

At the point where the engine wont pull and feels lumpy like it is running on 4 cylinders and you have the rev the **** off to keep it moving or stall

I'd like a view from a dealer on this really. Many dealers look at this forum and sell QP/GT 4.2 car pre 2009, that will almost certainly have these variators, I wonder what their view is? The actual replacement part is only available from Maserati UK fitted by a main deal - indies can't get it. I wonder if a work around by indies will be figured out? Is this what Phil in Auckland has done?

 

[Felonious Crud]

Phil's working for a main dealer.

I should be up at Autoshield next week (to have a recon a/c pump fitted - assuming it a) arrives, and b) is the right one) so will have a chat with Marios. Be a bit crappy if the indies can't get the part.

 

[Michael]

Phil's working for a main dealer.

I should be up at Autoshield next week (to have a recon a/c pump fitted - assuming it a) arrives, and b) is the right one) so will have a chat with Marios. Be a bit crappy if the indies can't get the part.

I spoke a while ago to Emblem, who were v helpful and they advised me to contact Maserati UK first etc which I did. Maserati confirmed the part was only available from them - in line with Emblem.

Look forward to your feedback from Autoshield.

 

[hodroyd]

The top Oil Pressure tank in the top of the engine does account for some variator noise if the pressure fails, these can be replaced for a few hundred. Only for start up rattles when the oil is not fed to the variators soon enough..!!

 

[daverichardson]

I believe Indys cannot get the bits only the main dealer eg JCT600
Am I right in thinking the problem does not occur after 2009?
If so it will affect my choice of cars in the future

 

[daverichardson]

There was a 2009 QP advertised recently (and shown on here) and the advert stressed variators had been replaced
So are 2010 models in the clear?

 

[Felonious Crud]

Bit of a gamble on the year - mine is a 2009 car but would have been built in 2008. I wonder if the chassis number would make it possible to find out?

 

[StuartW]

If the variators have been replaced though, they would have been replaced with the new, modified part so if you can find that out, you will be in the clear

 

[Ryandoc]

Just reading this thread. I assume the variators are the same concept as the BMW vanos system. I have experience of vanos issues on the E46 M3 I had years ago.

So a sept registered GTS should have the modified variator on?

 

[daverichardson]

My point is if old variators are upto 2009 and new modern variators are 2010 onwards
then that is the year to aim for (or younger) when upgrading to avoid potential bills

 

[Felonious Crud]

Seems that way. The later the better!

 

[marios kriticos]

When we replace variators we also modify the cam cups at the front of the engine in order to give more oil to the variators

Marios