My local mechanic said I might have a faulty cam variator. Anyone has this problem? please advise?
Cam Variator
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msrt
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My car has the dreaded rattle and a little over a year ago, I did some research - I spoke directly to owners via some very nice dealership contacts rather than doing useless "internet research."
I know the startup pressure can affect the rattle on startup and extra pressure caused by cranking can suppress it. However, I am not convinced that this is what causes the problem. I think the rattle is a byproduct of failure but not a cause. It is more likely the pressure (or lack of) present during driving conditions that affects the wear. This would explain why the cars that fail, typically fail multiple times throughout the car's life (I know of some replaced 3 times in 80K mi and others with 130K and no failure). It would also explain why the left and right variators fail simultaneously. The dealers I have spoken with have yet to see unilateral failure. Also, as I published a year ago, those who drove their cars in manual mode for the entire life have had no problems to date and those who did experience failure drove the cars in auto mode regularly. I'm not saying that driving the car in auto mode will cause variator failure, but I do think that the correlation is due to the car's auto mode lugging the engine at low RPM. This is also why if you drive a QP with bad variators the noise goes away until you lug the engine under load or decelerate - the pressure on the top-end thus disappears.
I don't want to start the firestorm of controversy over this issue like what followed my last post (everyone is an expert on a subject that nobody fully understands), but these are useful statistics nonetheless. My car had a very apparent and loud rattle at 45K when I bought it. Now it's at 90K. I'll replace my variators as soon as I can part with my car for 2 weeks without suffering from separation anxiety!
I know the startup pressure can affect the rattle on startup and extra pressure caused by cranking can suppress it. However, I am not convinced that this is what causes the problem. I think the rattle is a byproduct of failure but not a cause. It is more likely the pressure (or lack of) present during driving conditions that affects the wear. This would explain why the cars that fail, typically fail multiple times throughout the car's life (I know of some replaced 3 times in 80K mi and others with 130K and no failure). It would also explain why the left and right variators fail simultaneously. The dealers I have spoken with have yet to see unilateral failure. Also, as I published a year ago, those who drove their cars in manual mode for the entire life have had no problems to date and those who did experience failure drove the cars in auto mode regularly. I'm not saying that driving the car in auto mode will cause variator failure, but I do think that the correlation is due to the car's auto mode lugging the engine at low RPM. This is also why if you drive a QP with bad variators the noise goes away until you lug the engine under load or decelerate - the pressure on the top-end thus disappears.
I don't want to start the firestorm of controversy over this issue like what followed my last post (everyone is an expert on a subject that nobody fully understands), but these are useful statistics nonetheless. My car had a very apparent and loud rattle at 45K when I bought it. Now it's at 90K. I'll replace my variators as soon as I can part with my car for 2 weeks without suffering from separation anxiety!
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Not sure I would say I was an expert, but I think I have a pretty good clue...Your post always crack me up Erik. Lots of theory without any actual experience in the repair...Jason
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Jason, is that a dry sump 4.2?
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Yes...tore it down this AM...J
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I just love to marvel at the mechanical mastery that these machines are.
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lol...Its something all right..Just like a plastic surgeon that does boob implants...You seen one set you have seen them all...J
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Mmmm....boobs:grin2:
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I HAVE A2006 QP-WITH 98K MILES
I don't believe the variation @$660. Is the weakest link-I'm dealing with a similar problem and my code is saying timing too advanced" however I'm monitoring my timing and see it's fine- my advice given me so far was to clear code then do a hard disconnect and see what happens.well sos so my next advice was go for the sensor-and I believe it's the weaker link(cheaper too@$200.) my next problem is getting to it-btw my code referred me to bank1=rs). The picture they show is that it looks to be inthebackunder the intake manifold?! Seems ridicules to put it there?! ANY HELP FROM HERE WOULD BE APPRECIATED .
I don't believe the variation @$660. Is the weakest link-I'm dealing with a similar problem and my code is saying timing too advanced" however I'm monitoring my timing and see it's fine- my advice given me so far was to clear code then do a hard disconnect and see what happens.well sos so my next advice was go for the sensor-and I believe it's the weaker link(cheaper too@$200.) my next problem is getting to it-btw my code referred me to bank1=rs). The picture they show is that it looks to be inthebackunder the intake manifold?! Seems ridicules to put it there?! ANY HELP FROM HERE WOULD BE APPRECIATED .
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Anyone have their estimate or receipt of "Cam shaft Variators and Variator actuator"repair, either in photo or email form. Does not have to be exactly same repair. My Maserati dealership is willing to do a price match. This would be a life saver! Feel free to block out any personal info noted on the receipt. Send to Paul@paulpetersonartwork.com or in a msg on here or in comment. What ever works best.
My 2008 Qp Sport Gt is at the Maserati Dealership
The "Cam shaft Variators and Variator actuators need to be replaced". Car won't even drive. I've been going back and forth with them. They gave me a 8,200 dollar estimate for the repair. That's insane! almost 1/3 of what the car costed. It only has 52k miles.I've seen others who had the repair done for 3-6k.
I'll mail you a free print of one my limited edition paintings for your time. Prints
Prints ? Paul Peterson Artwork
THANK YOU
My 2008 Qp Sport Gt is at the Maserati Dealership
The "Cam shaft Variators and Variator actuators need to be replaced". Car won't even drive. I've been going back and forth with them. They gave me a 8,200 dollar estimate for the repair. That's insane! almost 1/3 of what the car costed. It only has 52k miles.I've seen others who had the repair done for 3-6k.I'll mail you a free print of one my limited edition paintings for your time. Prints
Prints ? Paul Peterson Artwork
THANK YOU
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4.7L wet sumps had far fewer problems than the 4.2L wet sumps from the beginning, so I'm told.
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I have read that 4.7s have the problem way less than the 4.2s. I have also read that 4.2s manufactured after Sept 2010 had the variator fix installed at the factory.
KTBD
KTBD
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Variators-How to Tell? Is there a way to tell without pulling the front cap whether a 4.2L M139A wet sump engine has received the variator fix? During the fix, is there anything added to the proxi or other firmware in the ECU, that could be read by an SD3 or Leonardo, to indicate same? I'm assuming that a physical inspection would observe the "mainspring" on the front of the variator, thereby confirming that the fix is in place. Is my assumption correct?
KTBD
KTBD
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There is no software, but you can look through the oil filler cap...As far as the 4.7s having less problems....There is simply less of them until the later part of production and the problem was fixed by then....The 4.7 and 4.2 are essentially the same...Jason
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Where is the sensor located on 2006 QP right side of engine vvt that I might be able to unplug it ...?
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Where is the sensor plug for the right bank?
I got a price from gold coast Maserati in long Island for 12,k to r&r vvt's and coils and plugs when at that time I only needed one coil for a misfire!
I believe this is all a scam and want to try this unpluging of the sensor to let the ecu revert to origional Default.
I got a price from gold coast Maserati in long Island for 12,k to r&r vvt's and coils and plugs when at that time I only needed one coil for a misfire!
I believe this is all a scam and want to try this unpluging of the sensor to let the ecu revert to origional Default.
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You're right there. I think this is the best option instead of doing any other things.
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Thank you for all the posts. What was the approx year the new design started on the production models ?
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Sept 2010
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