Stradale Engine Problems
Discussion
I'm not technical when it comes to things like this so bear with me, but this is what I was told many months ago by a very very reputable Ferrari mechanic.
Apparently there's this screw (camshaft related/area) that was known to be overtightened from the factory...Many early 360's got recalled for this. High revs put strain on this and caused the screw to break/stick/?? and damage the belts/valves/other bits and possibly the camshaft.
Make sure the camshaft isn't actually fukced and make sure not all the valves are fukced too and more importantly speak to your dealer or Ferrari and find out if this was a problem with the CS as well as the 360's.
Good luck fella but I would imagine this is covered under the warranty.....T.
Apparently there's this screw (camshaft related/area) that was known to be overtightened from the factory...Many early 360's got recalled for this. High revs put strain on this and caused the screw to break/stick/?? and damage the belts/valves/other bits and possibly the camshaft.
Make sure the camshaft isn't actually fukced and make sure not all the valves are fukced too and more importantly speak to your dealer or Ferrari and find out if this was a problem with the CS as well as the 360's.
Good luck fella but I would imagine this is covered under the warranty.....T.
Just so you know...my posting from FerrariChat.com:
I took delivery of my Stradale in Switzerland last September and was, as you can imagine, delighted beyond belief. Having previously owned a 355, I was used to the ways of the 'F' car and therefore expected the occasional teething problem. I wasn't surprised then, when an exhaust rattle, at a little over 4k kms, required a new end section - keeping it off the road for 3weeks.
At the end of May, another 'rattle', this time from the engine, sounded a little more sinister. While the car continued to function- move - it sounded like something was moving faster, but in time with the revs of the engine, than the pistons themselves. More accurately, it sounded as if a number of ball bearings were being swirled around in an empty tin can – in time with the engine. The car, now in the UK, was duly handed to Maranello Motors (under warranty) and after examination and replacement of the cams, belts etc etc, the car was nailed back together – no changed, same problem.
3weeks ago and the word from the factory came – 1 new engine required. This is being fitted as we speak (it arrived today) – and the car has been off the road for a further 9weeks. Now before the questions, I should point out that I am not a heavy driver – I enjoy, yes, but I don’t thrash. I take care and, being as this is a life dream that I will not likely repeat (I am struggling to convince my bank manager that it’s not a car, more a life support system), I try and do all the things that one should driving such a fine car (low revs when cold etc etc).
So, the questions then, and I only have 2.
Is there anything I can do, other than accept the fact that I must simply drive, wait for it to break, put up with the time to source parts and fit? I had to beg a courtesy car – which to be fair, Maranello have now provided foc, but why is dealing with Ferrari such a chore.
I’ve paid over £130k for a car that has been off the road nearly 3months of its 10month life? Chap in Germany is suing for a car that won’t do 300kmh, mine won’t do 0.3kmh most of the time….
And finally, the car (remarkably), is due for its 1st service. So, forgetting that it been off the road for so long (while depreciating horribly) what would I expect to pay for a first service that shouldn’t include oil, plugs, filters, etc etc – remember, it’s a new engine . I’ve not finished discussing with those nice people at Maranello, but it seems the factory is screwing them, so they have to screw me! Hmmm, would be interested in what else needs doing and what would be fair.
That said… I love it – it is wonderful! I just wished those that look after them ‘officially’ had as much passion and love for them and not just the £ as those that look after them ‘unofficially’ – and of course those that own and pay for them.
I took delivery of my Stradale in Switzerland last September and was, as you can imagine, delighted beyond belief. Having previously owned a 355, I was used to the ways of the 'F' car and therefore expected the occasional teething problem. I wasn't surprised then, when an exhaust rattle, at a little over 4k kms, required a new end section - keeping it off the road for 3weeks.
At the end of May, another 'rattle', this time from the engine, sounded a little more sinister. While the car continued to function- move - it sounded like something was moving faster, but in time with the revs of the engine, than the pistons themselves. More accurately, it sounded as if a number of ball bearings were being swirled around in an empty tin can – in time with the engine. The car, now in the UK, was duly handed to Maranello Motors (under warranty) and after examination and replacement of the cams, belts etc etc, the car was nailed back together – no changed, same problem.
3weeks ago and the word from the factory came – 1 new engine required. This is being fitted as we speak (it arrived today) – and the car has been off the road for a further 9weeks. Now before the questions, I should point out that I am not a heavy driver – I enjoy, yes, but I don’t thrash. I take care and, being as this is a life dream that I will not likely repeat (I am struggling to convince my bank manager that it’s not a car, more a life support system), I try and do all the things that one should driving such a fine car (low revs when cold etc etc).
So, the questions then, and I only have 2.
Is there anything I can do, other than accept the fact that I must simply drive, wait for it to break, put up with the time to source parts and fit? I had to beg a courtesy car – which to be fair, Maranello have now provided foc, but why is dealing with Ferrari such a chore.
I’ve paid over £130k for a car that has been off the road nearly 3months of its 10month life? Chap in Germany is suing for a car that won’t do 300kmh, mine won’t do 0.3kmh most of the time….
And finally, the car (remarkably), is due for its 1st service. So, forgetting that it been off the road for so long (while depreciating horribly) what would I expect to pay for a first service that shouldn’t include oil, plugs, filters, etc etc – remember, it’s a new engine . I’ve not finished discussing with those nice people at Maranello, but it seems the factory is screwing them, so they have to screw me! Hmmm, would be interested in what else needs doing and what would be fair.
That said… I love it – it is wonderful! I just wished those that look after them ‘officially’ had as much passion and love for them and not just the £ as those that look after them ‘unofficially’ – and of course those that own and pay for them.
Hi evoblade and gibbsa,
Count yourselves lucky.
Firstly your Stradales are covered by warranty since the damage is not self/race induced and secondly has not been in dock for the best part of a year like my race modified F40 which you will not be surprised to hear is not covered by a factory warranty.
Remember that when your car is in dock for an engine rebuild this gives the garage a 'captive audience' project which is going nowhere.You will hear every excuse in the book before your car is eventually finished..... parts on order but still not arrived from the factory, the wrong bit delivered, further bits found to be needed , the mechanics on holiday , the mechanics sick etc.
The reality of the situation is that your job will be done in between many other jobs by your garage BUT IT WILL NOT BE PRIORITISED BY THEM.Their priority will be afforded to turning round their routine bread and butter servicing and basic repairs which the customer expects to collect the same or the next day.Your mechanic will be on and off your car (more off than on!)like a yo yo.WORKING INTERMITTENTLY ON ANY PROJECT IS ALWAYS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE AND CREATES INEFFICIENCY.
I find this so frustrating when I see what race mechanics can achieve in 30 minutes in an endurance race.There is NO excuse for a reputable garage to take more than 4 weeks on ANY job.Let's face it though, what choice do we have?Where else can you take your pride and joy , particularly a new one ,but to the official dealer. We are being totally fobbed off and treated like mugs by these garages.IT IS ABOUT TIME WE CREATED AN OMBUDSMAN TO LOOK INTO DILATORY AND POOR WORK AND TO DOCK THEIR CHARGES ACCORDINGLY.THIS APPLIES IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION , WHY NOT WITH CARS WHERE CHARGES CAN RUN INTO THOUSANDS AND DURATION INTO MONTHS!?
Your views guys.
I SPEAK FROM BITTER AND ONGOING EXPERIENCE!!
Count yourselves lucky.
Firstly your Stradales are covered by warranty since the damage is not self/race induced and secondly has not been in dock for the best part of a year like my race modified F40 which you will not be surprised to hear is not covered by a factory warranty.
Remember that when your car is in dock for an engine rebuild this gives the garage a 'captive audience' project which is going nowhere.You will hear every excuse in the book before your car is eventually finished..... parts on order but still not arrived from the factory, the wrong bit delivered, further bits found to be needed , the mechanics on holiday , the mechanics sick etc.
The reality of the situation is that your job will be done in between many other jobs by your garage BUT IT WILL NOT BE PRIORITISED BY THEM.Their priority will be afforded to turning round their routine bread and butter servicing and basic repairs which the customer expects to collect the same or the next day.Your mechanic will be on and off your car (more off than on!)like a yo yo.WORKING INTERMITTENTLY ON ANY PROJECT IS ALWAYS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE AND CREATES INEFFICIENCY.
I find this so frustrating when I see what race mechanics can achieve in 30 minutes in an endurance race.There is NO excuse for a reputable garage to take more than 4 weeks on ANY job.Let's face it though, what choice do we have?Where else can you take your pride and joy , particularly a new one ,but to the official dealer. We are being totally fobbed off and treated like mugs by these garages.IT IS ABOUT TIME WE CREATED AN OMBUDSMAN TO LOOK INTO DILATORY AND POOR WORK AND TO DOCK THEIR CHARGES ACCORDINGLY.THIS APPLIES IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION , WHY NOT WITH CARS WHERE CHARGES CAN RUN INTO THOUSANDS AND DURATION INTO MONTHS!?
Your views guys.
I SPEAK FROM BITTER AND ONGOING EXPERIENCE!!
I sense real frustration here - and some that I am beginning to recognise. Had a call today - the day it was 'supposed' to be finished...'sorry sir, we need some new bolts that we don't stock and are now waiting for the factory to fly over'...another 3days.... 
I agree, but what can be done - it seems only the few actually 'have' to put up with this kind of shoddy treatment. I think the only way is to name, shame and move business - create a league table of the best and worst, moderated through actual, proven experience of dealing with the good, bad and the downright shameless dealers out there! I'm up for taking this suggestion to Ferrarichat...
Views?
I agree, but what can be done - it seems only the few actually 'have' to put up with this kind of shoddy treatment. I think the only way is to name, shame and move business - create a league table of the best and worst, moderated through actual, proven experience of dealing with the good, bad and the downright shameless dealers out there! I'm up for taking this suggestion to Ferrarichat...
Views?
Write to the dealer and ask for a full explanation in writing. Plus ask what they are going to do in full compensation for the time you have had without the car (send you a suitable loaner for the 3 days, free servicing for 2yrs etc).
Explain that you have requested advice from current owners here and on FerrariChat and that we are all very keen to hear what the results end up being.
I'm a bit "surprised" (I'm not really!) that a main dealer and/or the factory neglected to send some critical bolts for the installation of an engine. I think you have a right to expect them to know what bits are needed to fit it, and for them to sort this prior to the engine arriving back.
In fact, if it's only bolts, get them in a box, and get them couriered back to the workshop immediately - no more than a 24hr delay.
Bang all of this in an email to them, and get a written response. Then post again.
I'm really sorry to hear you going through this crap. But unfortunately am not surprised. Even ore sadly, I'm not sure which manufacturer you could turn to and not get a similar response (unless one of the mainstream Japanese companies has started making high end sportscars).
By the way, another line I used when I had an unfortunate episode with them - if this sort of problem is rare (as one would hope), it will cost them nothing relatively to accede to my not unreasonnable demands. If, on the other hand, there is a general problem, they should do a recall and/or let all their customers know...again, makes bugger all difference. But at least put makes them splutter with no answer.
Explain that you have requested advice from current owners here and on FerrariChat and that we are all very keen to hear what the results end up being.
I'm a bit "surprised" (I'm not really!) that a main dealer and/or the factory neglected to send some critical bolts for the installation of an engine. I think you have a right to expect them to know what bits are needed to fit it, and for them to sort this prior to the engine arriving back.
In fact, if it's only bolts, get them in a box, and get them couriered back to the workshop immediately - no more than a 24hr delay.
Bang all of this in an email to them, and get a written response. Then post again.
I'm really sorry to hear you going through this crap. But unfortunately am not surprised. Even ore sadly, I'm not sure which manufacturer you could turn to and not get a similar response (unless one of the mainstream Japanese companies has started making high end sportscars).
By the way, another line I used when I had an unfortunate episode with them - if this sort of problem is rare (as one would hope), it will cost them nothing relatively to accede to my not unreasonnable demands. If, on the other hand, there is a general problem, they should do a recall and/or let all their customers know...again, makes bugger all difference. But at least put makes them splutter with no answer.
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