Variators

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
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
Yeah that's the correct way.
We have to send our caps to Australia to be done by an engineering company recognised by Maserati.
In answer to Adamn it's time consuming setting the cams up using dial gauges and you need to set up all four cams.
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
I understand the labour only charge from an indie is around £2,600 but Marios will be able to tell you more
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
Sounds like a very good warranty is a pre-requisite for this kind of job!

Indeed, although I understand it was only the early GT / GTS that suffered from it. A revised component was fitted from sometime in 2009 but I don't know how to find out exactly when
 

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
Messages
7,309
I believe the job is around £5000. Marios is really busy this week and not had time to post so don't quote me on it ;)
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,011
Indeed, although I understand it was only the early GT / GTS that suffered from it. A revised component was fitted from sometime in 2009 but I don't know how to find out exactly when

There's probably a way a dealer can verify using the chassis number.
 

Doohickey

Velociraptor
Messages
2,496
I started my March '08 GT this afternoon after it has been sitting for a couple of weeks in the garage and it was showing 4 degrees on the temp display. Got the can of nails noise. It was absolutely fine once it had warmed up and no noise when I started it again a couple of times during the course of the day. I've just rolled over 47,000 miles so sounds like the variators are starting to go.
 

Ebenezer

Member
Messages
4,442
Every year when the temperature drops this starts to happen. It's been commented on several times by different people. Mine did it for the first time this winter when I "fired up the might quattro' " this morning. (Temp reading 2 degrees). From what I've read, if the noise stops after a few seconds, it's just the oil taking its time to get to the variators which seems to be related to the temeperature and how long it was since it was last driven.

Lots of variator musing on the Maseratilife forum

However mine has just rolled passed 46,500 so I'm steeling myself for the day. What I haven't seen is anyone say that it has never happened to the car so I don't know if there's an outside chance of avoiding this.

Eb
 

Doohickey

Velociraptor
Messages
2,496
My warranty has a wear and tear provision so it might be worth a call and see what they say. It's happening rarely at the moment but might as well get it fixed if I can.
 

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
It's not always the variators, if it were they would be rattling most of the time..?? On the other hand the pressure filled reserve oil tank on top of the engine, which is used to feed the variators on start up, can develop pressure leaks with age an will no longer hold sufficient pressure to inject in to the variators on startup..?? Tank costs about £140 last time I enquired about one, might be worth checking before replacing variators..??
 

Michael

Member
Messages
340
Every year when the temperature drops this starts to happen. It's been commented on several times by different people. Mine did it for the first time this winter when I "fired up the might quattro' " this morning. (Temp reading 2 degrees). From what I've read, if the noise stops after a few seconds, it's just the oil taking its time to get to the variators which seems to be related to the temeperature and how long it was since it was last driven.

Lots of variator musing on the Maseratilife forum

However mine has just rolled passed 46,500 so I'm steeling myself for the day. What I haven't seen is anyone say that it has never happened to the car so I don't know if there's an outside chance of avoiding this.

Eb

All winter when if was zero/frosty my 4.2 rattled for 1 to 2 secs when I started it in the morning and sometimes in the PM if it had been in the office car park all day.

All spring/summer and basically when it was mild 10 degrees or more my 4.2 started after weeks of not being used without a single rattle. My car is a 2008 with 24k miles on it. Serviced by Maranello so guess they use the right oil. Seems it takes cold oil longer to get moving. My mate has a 4.2 with 40k+ doesn't rattle but he's only had it since spring - he had a 911 before - the 911 did the same thing on cold days. My 360 did the same too. I think the variators are gone when they keep rattling...
 

Richie

New Member
Messages
2
Hi, my names Richard and Ive recently joined this forum as I keen to purchase a 4.2 granturismo it seems the variators are the Achilles heel of this car? Im looking to purchase a 57/58 plate car with up to 40,000 on the clock and Im a little worried that I could be in for a £5K bill within the next 10,000 miles can anyone put my mind at rest? Im assuming a pre-purchase inspection would only help if it was on its way out?
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
To be fair its most likely to be the solenoids at fault causing the problem.
I have changed quite a few down here and most people have a private warranty on them which pays the bill.
Phil.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
Hi, my names Richard and Ive recently joined this forum as I keen to purchase a 4.2 granturismo it seems the variators are the Achilles heel of this car? Im looking to purchase a 57/58 plate car with up to 40,000 on the clock and Im a little worried that I could be in for a £5K bill within the next 10,000 miles can anyone put my mind at rest? Im assuming a pre-purchase inspection would only help if it was on its way out?

Didn't realise it was your first post so Welcome to the Fun.
 

Richie

New Member
Messages
2
thanks I owned a lovely but very unreliable 3200 around 5 years ago, so is it worth changing the solenoids as a precaution_CLO1767.jpg
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
To be fair if your replacing leaky rocker gaskets it takes minutes to change the solenoid's.
If it was me I would or make sure you have a good warranty for peace of mind.
It's just labour intensive getting the covers on and off on the later wet sump engines 4.2 and 4.7.