Portofino Exhaust Flap Valve Issue

[avann600]

Hey guys,

I just purchased a Portofino and I think there's an issue with the exhaust.

In Comfort, just a light squeeze of the throttle results in the exhaust barking like crazy. I have to be very gentle when accelerating in town, otherwise the flaps open up and it suddenly barks like crazy as if I just flooredit. The exhaust flaps are opening way too soon in comfort mode - light throttle, low revs.

In fact, they behave exactly the same way as they do in in Sport. The manettino switch makes no difference to the exhaust note. The switch is definitely working as the dash shows the different modes and the suspension gets much firmer in Sport, but the exhaust flaps behave the same in both modes!

I'm not aware of any aftermarket exhaust flap controller having been fitted, so am expecting it to all be standard.

Anyone know if the actuators for the Portofino flap valves are vacuum-actuated or electronic - and why they might be behaving the same in both Comfort & Sport?

Thanks,
Jason

[F355GTS]

Hi Jason, the ECU sends a signal to a vacuum switch which in turn opens the valves, it's possible an aftermarket controller has been fitted or the vacuum pipes have been removed from the valves and blocked

[avann600]

Thanks, makes sense.
I've borrowed an Autel from a friend and will check for any error codes. I think there might be some as the engine warning light stays on for quite a while after starting the engine and I get several beeps too. Didn't notice that behaviour when I test drove it.

[F355GTS]

avann600 said:

Thanks, makes sense.
I've borrowed an Autel from a friend and will check for any error codes. I think there might be some as the engine warning light stays on for quite a while after starting the engine and I get several beeps too. Didn't notice that behaviour when I test drove it.

It' possible the vacuum pipes have been remove from the valves but not blocked off

[avann600]

So there were about 40 codes stored. Cleared them all and 2 came back after cycling the ignition and starting her up - U1700 and U1706.
I'll drive it around for a few miles to see if anything else pops up.

Used the Autel to test the Exhaust flap valves and it all worked fine - exhaust note changed at idle when they were instructed to open. I need to test drive it with the Autel connected to monitor what the ECU is commanding and what the exhaust sounds like it's doing. I'll get under it at the weekend to see if anything is disconnected as you say, or someone's modified it.

Another issue is that the engine idles at 950rpm. I think the idle should be 700rpm. According to the Autel the engine isn't ever in idle state, so not sure what's going on there either.

It's going back to the dealer next week, so I'm just gathering what info I can to ensure they're able to resolve all the issues correctly.

On a different note, it is a fantastic car. I see a lot of people debating between the California T and Portofino. All I can say is the Portofino is just a much nicer car all round for me - quieter, stiffer chassis, faster, more spacious and more comfortable.

[avann600]

I've just taken a look at the exhaust and the flap actuators are electric. There's no vacuum pipe or even a connection for a vacuum pipe. I can't see any modifications the connections either, so there's no sign of an aftermarket controller.

[Trev450]

avann600 said:

I've just taken a look at the exhaust and the flap actuators are electric. There's no vacuum pipe or even a connection for a vacuum pipe. I can't see any modifications the connections either, so there's no sign of an aftermarket controller.

Sounds like they are controlled by the ECU then. Do you know if the car has had a remap?

[bennno]

Unbeknown to Maranello Egham my car was sold with a third party modification to the valve actuators, which then caused an issue when the outstanding Ferrari recall for valve actuators was performed on the car. The exhaust behaved as you ve described.

The Portofino is a wonderful car, with the single exception of the exhaust note, which is blary- nothing like as tuneful as a Ford coyote, Aston / amg v8 or a jaguar supercharged v8 based on my ownership of cars with all those engines.

[avann600]

bennno said:

Unbeknown to Maranello Egham my car was sold with a third party modification to the valve actuators, which then caused an issue when the outstanding Ferrari recall for valve actuators was performed on the car. The exhaust behaved as you ve described.

The Portofino is a wonderful car, with the single exception of the exhaust note, which is blary- nothing like as tuneful as a Ford coyote, Aston / amg v8 or a jaguar supercharged v8 based on my ownership of cars with all those engines.

Hi benno,
What was the modification please? Was it in the mapping, or an aftermarket device?
And what was the issue with the valve actuaturs that prompted a recall please?
Thanks,
Jason