Q re variators issue

[npaskin]

Friend of mine who wants to join our happy team has asked me about a 2007 Maserati Granturismo 4.2 for sale (for full disclosure it is one listed for sale on here): looks good, he has asked me a question I don't know the answer to - is this one where the variator issue could be a problem? I don't know, so any ideas / information? That one is coming up to 60K miles. I remain puzzled by this issue - my own QP 4.7 is in the affected range I think but I have had no sign of any problems (though <40K miles) and I am really not sure how inevitable this problem is if the car has been well looked after. Thoughts?

 

[Doohickey]

I'm not an expert but my understanding is that it only affects the early 4.2 GTs. Mine's a 2008 and I've just rolled through 47K miles and I'm getting the variator noise on cold start. It only seems to do it when cold. If the owner has looked after it then I would have thought it would have been done by 60K.

I'm going to put it in to JCT in a few weeks and see if my warranty covers the eye watering cost.

 

[npaskin]

Thanks for quick response that's helpful, will pass the info on.

 

[safrane]

Do a search on here as the post list the engine numbers that are at risk.

 

[Wack61]

I found this thread an interesting read

http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/quattroporte/12034-cam-variator.html

 

[npaskin]

Do a search on here as the post list the engine numbers that are at risk.

I did, which is why I am still confused - my engine (4.7) is in the listed range on the Technical bulletin that was reproduced on here ("prior to 148697"). Is it, or is it not, only a 4.2 issue?

And re the noise appearing when cold - my understanding is that it is normal when cold so nothing to be concerned about, but not normal if it doesn't disappear in a few seconds as the oil gathers from the sump, when the variator should go back to normal again? As I said, not something I have had to deal with so a bit of a theoretical issue for me, but I want to give sound advice to a potential new owner.

 

[Doohickey]

And re the noise appearing when cold - my understanding is that it is normal when cold so nothing to be concerned about, but not normal if it doesn't disappear in a few seconds as the oil gathers from the sump, when the variator should go back to normal again? As I said, not something I have had to deal with so a bit of a theoretical issue for me, but I want to give sound advice to a potential new owner.

Mine has only just started doing it; it does stop after a couple of seconds but it's definitely not 'normal'.

Where do you find your engine number?

 

[npaskin]

Where do you find your engine number?

On the V5 document.

 

[StuartW]

It affects the 4.7 as well as the 4.2. Mine were replaced in 2014 with the modified replacement

 

[Contigo]

This issue seems to mainly affect wet sump GT's and QP's.

The front (input) cam caps are modified with the non return valves to stop the oil draining away (according to Phil W). When having them done it makes sense to do the variators and vice versa because labour is a big part of this job.

 

[npaskin]

Thanks for the helpful information. Does anyone have a view on how common this is in the engine range where it is a possible issue: i.e. is it inevitable; happens to 50%; happens to a few cars; only to those which are driven hard; etc? Since it was spotted in 2008, I assume many of the cars affected have worked through the system by now - if it is 40K miles before it happens that is around 5K per year to now.

 

[StuartW]

Mine were done when the mileage was in the mid 40s

 

[Contigo]

Thanks for the helpful information. Does anyone have a view on how common this is in the engine range where it is a possible issue: i.e. is it inevitable; happens to 50%; happens to a few cars; only to those which are driven hard; etc? Since it was spotted in 2008, I assume many of the cars affected have worked through the system by now - if it is 40K miles before it happens that is around 5K per year to now.

Most of the specialists and MD's know about this issue .Check if your engine number is lower than 148697 as there was an issue with variator noise from the earlier engines

My advice as someone who will buy a GT this year is if any doubt get the car inspected and if the front cam caps have not been modified then it should be factored in. in my opinion Maserati should have issued a recall for this despite that age of the cars and lack of warranty. Another example of oil feed/starvation issues on this block I'm afraid.

Forum member Keano put all the documents here