Every day tips for living with a 599
Discussion
Alexandra said:
Every time I see an update to this thread I fear it's another problem with your 599; I'm so sorry you're having these issues. For what it's worth, you have a beautiful car.
And as for the track MPG, you clearly weren't trying hard enough
Hi Alexandra,And as for the track MPG, you clearly weren't trying hard enough
Thank you, she is a beautiful car.
I also think she told me I wasn't trying hard enough
When I did try harder she bit a couple times just to let me know I'm not good enough
I do tease her sometimes and tell her if you squint she looks like an old supra
The guys also put a lovely pink Nurburgring sticker on her butt
I have some TLC planned for her today. Lots of washing and cleaning.
I also have new air filters, oil change and plug into a Ferrari computer planned, hopefully this week.
So today I carried out a post autobahn / Nurburgring service and checks at MDL specialist cars. Lee at MDL was very busy but he made a ramp free and allowed me to work on the car under his supervision.
Power Steering fluid showed an increase in foaming and contamination. Aiden at Maranello Service was very helpful and confirmed the specification of oil used as Shell TX spirax S4 HDX and that the force feedback valve had not been changed.
When I get a chance I'll get the power steering system flushed clean and see if this helps the steering feedback consistency. If not the force feedback valve will need to be changed. Aiden said that this valve is difficult to get to and will be a big job.
Battery was checked / tested and it's fine
[url]
I have mentioned this to GreyPaul Nottingham and the Service Manager has said that their experience of "Electrical System Failure" warning messages with a good battery probably means that there's an earthing fault. I'm expecting that this will be difficult to find.
Oil level was checked at idle with engine running. This showed oil level at Min. I checked again using the handbook procedure and it came out at Max.
I was very pleased with this as it indicates the engine is "tight" and not using oil even after 2700 hard miles.
Oil and filter change performed including 1 litre of booster oil to help with 'tappety' valves (known issue with this engine.
Ferrari filters and the booster oil
9.5 litres of this went in plus 1 litre of booster oil (system is 12 according to the book)
Engine was drained, then the "dry sump tank". As can be seen, the oil looks very dark.
Sump plug for the 'dry sump reservoir'
Unfortunately the oil cooler cannot be drained, so a small amount of oil stays in the system.
Next the new air filters.
Unfortunately whoever had done the filters previously had also messed up the airbox seals (unless air pressure forced them out)
When installing them I noticed a shine in the intake sensors. Taking them off I saw oil inside.
If I hadn't syphoned out 250ml from the engine before going to Germany / Nurburgring who knows what problems might have happened.
Every thing was buttoned back up and engine run, level checked again. It was just at the bottom of the dipstick. 0.5 litres was added and level checked again. This put it at Min. 0.5 added again and level checked at minimum.
Car was then driven and oil level checked, coming out at +/- 300 ml over Max. This was drained out and level checked again. It showed the same, +/- 300 ml over Max.
I've decided to leave it, run the car for a bit and check again.
Power Steering fluid showed an increase in foaming and contamination. Aiden at Maranello Service was very helpful and confirmed the specification of oil used as Shell TX spirax S4 HDX and that the force feedback valve had not been changed.
When I get a chance I'll get the power steering system flushed clean and see if this helps the steering feedback consistency. If not the force feedback valve will need to be changed. Aiden said that this valve is difficult to get to and will be a big job.
Battery was checked / tested and it's fine
[url]
I have mentioned this to GreyPaul Nottingham and the Service Manager has said that their experience of "Electrical System Failure" warning messages with a good battery probably means that there's an earthing fault. I'm expecting that this will be difficult to find.
Oil level was checked at idle with engine running. This showed oil level at Min. I checked again using the handbook procedure and it came out at Max.
I was very pleased with this as it indicates the engine is "tight" and not using oil even after 2700 hard miles.
Oil and filter change performed including 1 litre of booster oil to help with 'tappety' valves (known issue with this engine.
Ferrari filters and the booster oil
9.5 litres of this went in plus 1 litre of booster oil (system is 12 according to the book)
Engine was drained, then the "dry sump tank". As can be seen, the oil looks very dark.
Sump plug for the 'dry sump reservoir'
Unfortunately the oil cooler cannot be drained, so a small amount of oil stays in the system.
Next the new air filters.
Unfortunately whoever had done the filters previously had also messed up the airbox seals (unless air pressure forced them out)
When installing them I noticed a shine in the intake sensors. Taking them off I saw oil inside.
If I hadn't syphoned out 250ml from the engine before going to Germany / Nurburgring who knows what problems might have happened.
Every thing was buttoned back up and engine run, level checked again. It was just at the bottom of the dipstick. 0.5 litres was added and level checked again. This put it at Min. 0.5 added again and level checked at minimum.
Car was then driven and oil level checked, coming out at +/- 300 ml over Max. This was drained out and level checked again. It showed the same, +/- 300 ml over Max.
I've decided to leave it, run the car for a bit and check again.
When selecting reverse the button disappeared.
The trim panel was popped out and the plastic bracket holding the button in place had broken.
Lee at MDL made temporary repair with large washers until I can get a new bracket from Ferrari. No doubt this will not be an item Ferrari keep.
But at least for the moment I can select reverse
(Sorry Alexandra)
The trim panel was popped out and the plastic bracket holding the button in place had broken.
Lee at MDL made temporary repair with large washers until I can get a new bracket from Ferrari. No doubt this will not be an item Ferrari keep.
But at least for the moment I can select reverse
(Sorry Alexandra)
Checked the brakes also
The Endless MX72 pads produce loads of dust. The front disks have gone 'dark' and I'm not sure if this is due to pad material transfering to the disk or wear.
Front
Rear
It's difficult to see in the photos but the rear CCM are more shiny. Remaining pad material front and rear look good.
I'll get GreyPaul Nottingham to check on the computer.
The Endless MX72 pads produce loads of dust. The front disks have gone 'dark' and I'm not sure if this is due to pad material transfering to the disk or wear.
Front
Rear
It's difficult to see in the photos but the rear CCM are more shiny. Remaining pad material front and rear look good.
I'll get GreyPaul Nottingham to check on the computer.
On the way home from MDL the satnav said there was traffic. The 599 hates traffic. 160 cruise for hours, no issue. 5 minutes in traffic, big issue.
So I took the long winding road. This is the ridge road with the roaches in the background
Stopped at Morrison's to collect from an Amazon locker
When I look at this car in these conditions, she's perfect
I don't want that F12
So I took the long winding road. This is the ridge road with the roaches in the background
Stopped at Morrison's to collect from an Amazon locker
When I look at this car in these conditions, she's perfect
I don't want that F12
Checked the oil in the Morrison's carpark.
Handbook method, -/+ 300 ml above Max
Independent method, about 1/3 above Min
It's easy to understand why these engines get overfilled so often.
I'll take 300ml out when I get the chance. And if I do another trackday in the 599, I'll take another 250ml out.
Handbook method, -/+ 300 ml above Max
Independent method, about 1/3 above Min
It's easy to understand why these engines get overfilled so often.
I'll take 300ml out when I get the chance. And if I do another trackday in the 599, I'll take another 250ml out.
idealstandard said:
have pinged you a message back.
What's the difference between the stickers under the bonnet method (check the oil when engine temp is above 70c and engine running) and the handbook method?
Hi IdealStandard,What's the difference between the stickers under the bonnet method (check the oil when engine temp is above 70c and engine running) and the handbook method?
Got it and sent a reply, again, thank you very much, it really is much appreciated.
The independent recommends that oil level is checked (warm 70-80 deg C) with the engine at idle
The handbook method is engine warm (as above), then then rev to 4k rpm for one minute, engine off and immediately check level. After two minutes the level cannot be taken and the warming, revving procedure needs to be repeated
575MF1 said:
Don't know what handbook you are referring to. Both WSM and Handbook say check level 'without turning engine off'
When I bought the car it came with 2 manuals. One in Italian, one in English. This is from the English owners handbook dated 2010
1. Idle engine to 85-90 deg C ( struggle to get above 80 unless in traffic, so normally drive it a little then idle)
2. Rev to 4500 rpm ( the throttle is very sensitive so I just keep between 4-5k rpm)
3. Engine at idle and check within 2 minutes ( I turn off and check immediately after the 4-5k rpm. I normally dip 3 times and I have not noticed any difference between the first and third reading)
Note that I always check with two methods, first as recommended by the independent with the engine at idle and then again immediately after 1 min of running the engine at minimum of 4k.
The reason I do this is to try to get an oil reading that is a little closer to the higher loads for track driving and sustained high revs. I want the check at idle to be above minimum and the check after high revs to be at the max to prevent excess crank case pressure and hopefully prevent engine damage or damage to the intake sensors that was seen before.
cake eater said:
idealstandard said:
I've got a surplus F1 switch and all the brackets if you want it from when I converted the car, its in the glovebox. PM me happy to send it
That is fantastic and very generous. PM sentThere's just a single screw holding the cigarette lighter trim in place. A little plastic piece needs to be pulled out to expose it
Once out from the underside with just a little finger pressure the F1 switch trim can be popped out
Then it's easy enough to swap the short section of loom. I was hoping just change the bracket but it's moulded to the switch.
I have always had difficulty getting reverse first press and today realised that a short firm press is not a good as a gentle lingering press.
I always consider cleaning to be essential maintenance, you see and feel and find little things that might otherwise be missed.
The stitching on the handbrake cover needs touched up
And the leather on the drivers seat is starting to dry and crack in one particular crease
The front wheels are a little corroded and will refurbished. The PPF is already worn and will need changed.
Otherwise she's looking good considering the 8500 miles she's covered and in particular the trip to Germany.
Interior looks quite red in this picture but it's really more subtle
The stitching on the handbrake cover needs touched up
And the leather on the drivers seat is starting to dry and crack in one particular crease
The front wheels are a little corroded and will refurbished. The PPF is already worn and will need changed.
Otherwise she's looking good considering the 8500 miles she's covered and in particular the trip to Germany.
Interior looks quite red in this picture but it's really more subtle
cake eater said:
That looks like Thorncliffe - a stunning backdrop that I’ve used a few times myself to take photos of my own cars over the years (nothing as exhilarating as a 599 though!).I’m really enjoying reading your experiences of living with a 599 - thanks for sharing your ownership journey.
TR4man said:
That looks like Thorncliffe - a stunning backdrop that I’ve used a few times myself to take photos of my own cars over the years (nothing as exhilarating as a 599 though!).
I’m really enjoying reading your experiences of living with a 599 - thanks for sharing your ownership journey.
It could be Thorncliffe, there is a memorial bench and trig point there. I thought it was the roaches in the background? I had never even been to the Peak District till I moved at the beginning of Jan so my geography is probably off. But I am loving being here. Almost as much as I am loving the 599. She really is something special.I’m really enjoying reading your experiences of living with a 599 - thanks for sharing your ownership journey.
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