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09 and later Quattroporte Sport GTS PPI Questions

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ApriliaNut

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So I have a couple of fundamental questions concerning a possible purchase of the above iteration and the due diligence needed regarding the mandatory [to me] Pre purchase inspection.

1. Are these units Skyhook and if so are there any modules that can be inspected with a decent scanner or is this proprietary Maserati dealer only?
2. What is the best way to determine if the cam variators are suspect? Listen for rattle on cold start of over 12 hours sitting?
3. Any weak links e.g fuel pump, HVAC system, charging system etc. etc. that would be good to know?
4. I've been away for awhile and notice the site has changed considerably. If there is a "sticky" regarding this subject please direct me to the proper area.

Thanks!!
 
#2 ·
I think I can help answer your questions. I have both a 09 gts (blisten shocks) and a 10 gts with skyhook. The skyhook was an extra add on to the gts package And rides totally different than the one with blisten shocks. The variators are a hit or miss, it seems like there is an engine number that has newer variator models but I haven’t had the dreaded sound on either. The ac is not as efficient as a Porsche or Mercedes but will do the job in the heat (Carolina’s). The sticky buttons your not going to escape that no matter what, it’s just a matter of time. It’s a great car and I have had no problems with either. I had to get my wife her own cause she was driving mine all the time.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
thanks Kolohe...hmm...interesting as I spoke with a service tech @ a SoCal area Maserati dealership and he said all GTS's had Skyhook. Curiously the Q GTS that I'm considering is also a 2009 year model!
Is there any way to determine, say certain character or number sequence in the vin # or chassis #, if it does in fact have Skyhook, especially if one doesn't have the window sticker?

So, now the obvious question: which car is the wife's since you were forced to purchase another on her account lol?!?

Thanks again!
 
#4 ·
Most qp gts have the blisten shocks (90%) and (10%) have the skyhook. i like the shocks as it is a much firmer ride and handles like a 4 door sports car. My wife likes the skyhook as it is a more comfortable ride. I don’t know about vin number, we had the build sheet from aristocrat motors who sold the qp gts to original owner. To get rid of the sticky buttons I used blackfire at full strength and used qtips to get the sticky layer off.
 
#6 ·
You would still really want to get a PPI from someone that has a proper Maserati scan tool if at all possible, regardless of skyhook but as Kolohe mentioned most of the QP Sport GTS from those years will be Yellow (Non-Skyhook) Struts, Skyhook was an additional option for Comfort that could be ordered. Best 2 ways to tell are to look for Yellow shocks (non Skyhook) also you can check in the engine compartment after taking off the hood to see if there are any Skyhook wires coming out of the shock absorbers themselves.

Hope that helps!
 
Discussion starter · #7 · (Edited)
FormulaDynamics said:
You would still really want to get a PPI from someone that has a proper Maserati scan tool if at all possible, regardless of skyhook but as Kolohe mentioned most of the QP Sport GTS from those years will be Yellow (Non-Skyhook) Struts, Skyhook was an additional option for Comfort that could be ordered. Best 2 ways to tell are to look for Yellow shocks (non Skyhook) also you can check in the engine compartment after taking off the hood to see if there are any Skyhook wires coming out of the shock absorbers themselves.

Hope that helps!
Click to expand...

Yes it does help very much! Thanks!

But, a question: I'm only one guy doing my own work so how do I get the hood back on after "taking it off to see if there are any Skyhook wires coming out of the ....."

Sorry, but you left yourself wide open for that one ....and being the type of personality that I am I certainly couldn't pass the opportunity up!!
 
#8 ·
LOL, yes we did ?

You'll probably need to take off a plastic engine surround piece to see the top of the shocks, pretty sure that's what we meant there!
 
#10 ·
Away from home right now so I don't have the info at my fingertips. If you search a bit, you can find the engine # cutoff for newer/older variators. Mine is an early 2011, and it isn't too far after the cutoff. I think 2010 is the critical year, it was a mid year change.

Hans.
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
4regt4 said:
Away from home right now so I don't have the info at my fingertips. If you search a bit, you can find the engine # cutoff for newer/older variators. Mine is an early 2011, and it isn't too far after the cutoff. I think 2010 is the critical year, it was a mid year change.

Hans.
Click to expand...
Wow that's great info. I'll look just to have the information. So if I'm vetting a year model 2009 it will have the older variators correct?
Thanks Hans
 
#12 ·
Probably..... Unless...

They may have been replaced/upgraded to the later parts. Hopefully you can find some records of this. Also involved is a bit of machine work to one of the cam bearing caps on each side. Somewhere on this forum I saw a photo someone took of the backside of the variator visible from the oil filler opening. Wish I could put my fingers on it.

Hans.
 
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#13 ·
OK, a bit more info.... The engine number (not serial number) cutoff is 148697.

Here is one thread mentioning what is apparently the most recent service bulletin: (note that the discussion deteriorated rather quickly)

www.maseratilife.com

NEWEST Cam Variator Bulletin MTB-200917G 8/10/2018...

NEWEST Cam Variator Bulletin MTB-200917G 8/10/2018 (2007-2009 QP Auto & GranTur.) I along with some others on here were looking for this newest updated Maserati Bulletin that came out in August 2018 on the good 'ole CAM Variator issue. I found it this evening and attached it to this post. It...
www.maseratilife.com www.maseratilife.com

Elsewhere some have attempted to correlate the engine number with the serial number. Just tried looking around a bit, couldn't find it.

Hans.
 
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#14 ·
Actually, here is a post you might be interested in. In particular, scroll down to a comment by KissTheBricksDad. He has lots of good suggestions, and mentions that the build date of the new variators is likely around Sept 2010.

www.maseratilife.com

Preparing to Buy a 2010 GranTurismo S

Hello Maserati community, First post here, have been looking around for a few months on the forum though. I have found a 2010 GranTurismo S in my area with 48,000 miles that I am extremely interested in. From all discussions with the owner the car appears to be well maintained and is...
www.maseratilife.com www.maseratilife.com

Hans.
 
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4regt4
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