Every day tips for living with a 599

[cake eater]

TR4man said:

Yes, those are the Roaches and if you were to look slightly to the left then you’d see Tittesworth reservoir.

Thorncliffe is the village you drove through shortly before reaching that vantage point and a little further on is the Mermaid Inn.

It's a lovely road. A bit narrow and bumpy but great views. Saxony in Germany had great roads like this but wide and smooth.

[idealstandard]

Cake,

I'm on a euro jaunt as you know, Have just posted an update in case you're interested (last post)

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Alex

[cake eater]

idealstandard said:

Cake,

I'm on a euro jaunt as you know, Have just posted an update in case you're interested (last post)

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Alex

Thank you for sharing, following Just wish I was following in my 599

[willy wombat]

Hi Cake Eater, just wondered whether you are doing the FOC Pista Day at Goodwood on 28 May? I am not doing it but live nearby and will probably nip along for a look see.

[cake eater]

willy wombat said:

Hi Cake Eater, just wondered whether you are doing the FOC Pista Day at Goodwood on 28 May? I am not doing it but live nearby and will probably nip along for a look see.

I am thinking of doing it but not sure yet because of work, I will only be able to book last minute

[willy wombat]

Let us know if you are going once you decide.

[cake eater]

willy wombat said:

Let us know if you are going once you decide.

Will do

[cake eater]

cake eater said:

willy wombat said:

Let us know if you are going once you decide.

Will do

Just checked with FOC, the noise limit is 105 static and I know I'm 108 from when I was last tested at Bedford.

I might just come down anyway as I like Goodwood.

[cake eater]

Every morning I'm greeted by this.



Makes me smile every day.

Been on the cteck for a few days so no 'electrical system failure' message but the oil light did flicker for the first time while waiting at a traffic light on a steepish hill.

Today a trip to https://www.invisifilm.co.uk/ to get the PPF snagged.

Also been in touch with https://www.nouvalari.com/index.php for cat bypass pipes and will hopefully see them on Friday after GreyPaul.

[willy wombat]

cake eater said:

cake eater said:

willy wombat said:

Let us know if you are going once you decide.

Will do

Just checked with FOC, the noise limit is 105 static and I know I'm 108 from when I was last tested at Bedford.

I might just come down anyway as I like Goodwood.

If your 599 has a standard exhaust you would probably be fine at Goodwood. The officials there tend to be more “relaxed” than at some other venues.

[sparta6]

cake eater said:

Every morning I'm greeted by this.



Makes me smile every day.

Been on the cteck for a few days so no 'electrical system failure' message but the oil light did flicker for the first time while waiting at a traffic light on a steepish hill.

Today a trip to https://www.invisifilm.co.uk/ to get the PPF snagged.

Also been in touch with https://www.nouvalari.com/index.php for cat bypass pipes and will hopefully see them on Friday after GreyPaul.

That's all nicely colour co-ordinated

[cake eater]

willy wombat said:

If your 599 has a standard exhaust you would probably be fine at Goodwood. The officials there tend to be more “relaxed” than at some other venues.

Okay, thank you. It's a standard exhaust.

[cake eater]

sparta6 said:

That's all nicely colour co-ordinated

Thanks

Just luck it turned out that way

[idealstandard]

Hi Cake

thanks for that bottle of rum, anyone else want any parts in return for rum?

Alex

[cake eater]

idealstandard said:

Hi Cake

thanks for that bottle of rum, anyone else want any parts in return for rum?

Alex

I hope it's good and you enjoy it

[cake eater]

ShampooEfficient said:

Absolutely stunning machine and I love seeing it used as it should be. Pretty sceptical of the dealer saying that driving doesn't charge the battery like other cars, mind...

In GreyPaul Nottingham this morning for a diagnostic and change out of the power steering fluid.

One of the service technicians kindly explained a little more about the charging system, though I'm not sure that it applies to the 599 and definitely not older cars which work conventionally.

Basically it works like an intelligent charger to reduce load, help fuel efficiency, reduce emissions etc and only charges the battery on overrun.
The tech recommended that the car is always on a charger when not in use.
He also stated that short runs will not charge the battery sufficiently as it only charges on overrun.
He also stated that if the battery is low, the car will prioritise starting so certain functions and ECUs will not see electrical power, hence the warning messages.
He also said that if all the ECUs don't talk to eachother on startup this will cause more warning messages and why it's important to wait for the car to complete ignition on checks before startup.

[cake eater]

cake eater said:

On another note, Mark from MDL specialist cars gave me a follow up call to see if everything with the car was fine.

Only one thing of note is that despite the high miles being driven everyday, I'm starting to see the occasional "electrical system failure" on start up.

I'll need to test the battery when things are a little less hectic.

So a little more on the "electrical system failure" troubleshooting. Diagnostic shows everything okay. Dean at GreyPaul also advised the change to an AGM battery, so on this side all okay.

Dean said that this message is common on early 599s and often related to the battery earth. Apparently the earth is riveted to the chassis behind the back bumper. The solution is to have it welded in and this was done on later cars from factory.

Turns out mine has already had this done.

Next thing he advised checking was all the earthing points and clean them up.
Another common problem is the engine earth lead as this degrades and may need replaced.
After that is the alternator +ve lead. He said if the outer encapsulation is melted this will also need changed.
If all this is done and I still get the warning messages then the alternator will need replaced.

[cake eater]

575MF1 said:

Don't know what handbook you are referring to. Both WSM and Handbook say check level 'without turning engine off'

So to clarify about the procedure to check the oil. Dean at GreyPaul was very helpful and provided the revised procedure




Dean stressed two points:
1 - never turn the engine off (as 575MF1 said)
2 - the level should be 10mm above Min

So from now on, as the technical bulletin says, I'll follow the procedure exactly and set / maintain the level as Dean advised.

[cake eater]

cake eater said:

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.

GreyPaul carried out an SD3 diagnostic for brake and clutch wear.
Clutch - 56% worn
Brakes - 65% worn Front and Rear

Any discoloration of the front disk is due to pad transfer material.

So lots of life left in both as the advise was to replace when Clutch is at 80%, brakes at 90% (road use)

This will give me time to consider / save for replacement. There is an interesting thread on clubscuderia from Modificato and this page discusses brake options.

https://www.clubscuderia.co.uk/forum/showthread.ph...

The next page on that thread also gives recommended geometry to help dial out the 'natural' front axle understeer, something I have struggled with since buying the car.

https://www.clubscuderia.co.uk/forum/showthread.ph...

Something I'll speak to Mark at MDL about getting sorted.

[cake eater]

cake eater said:

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.

Power steering fluid was changed out. Confirmed green and GreyPaul said this is the same as used by BMW and to make sure it's not accidentally topped up with red.

Did a few miles to meet a friend in Cambridge and I've not noticed the strange weighting up then lightness from before.

Again maybe placebo effect. Some more miles with proper corners might tell more