Cold Start Noise

[Jkulin]

I'm not really sure as it is being repaired by Graypaul the official Maserati Dealer in Nottingham, which is about 70 miles from me, so not so easy to just pop in and have a chat with them.

My dealer said they would prefer all comms through them as it keeps everything tidy.

 

[conaero]

They will do the cheaper option then if that does not work they will sort it properly I suppose.

 

[Jkulin]

Will the cheaper option be as good or do I need to make a fuss?

 

[Keano]

The Cam machining did the trick for mine,

Open question - Do the variators eventually replacing like a clutch or is it only if affected?

 

[Felonious Crud]

That's good to know, Keano. What did it cost? We all have some horror of it being a £4K job so any alternative experiences would be a useful comparison.

 

[daverichardson]

The Cam machining did the trick for mine,

Open question - Do the variators eventually replacing like a clutch or is it only if affected?

I believe (but could be wrong) that variators wear out and need replacing.
I was surprised when the mileage was revealed, I had been led to believe they failed around 45000 miles not 25000 as in your case

 

[StuartW]

The variators were replaced on mine at 47,500 miles by Giallo in December 2014. The cost was a shade under £4k, with the labour being £3k. The variators themselves were only £371 plus there were various seals, gaskets etc. Fortunately, this was prior to my ownership but I would imagine a MD cost would be higher.

 

[Keano]

£1500 for the cam machining but through a specialist not a main dealer. From what i read, albeit in forums, there seem to be 2 fixes for are noises on startup related to the variators which result in either the fix for early engine numbers or in the more expensive variator replacement. I guess if the car has the later engine number where they have modified the Cam bearings as part of the manufacturing process and there is startup noise (like a bag of keys nuts rattling) then the variators themselves are replaced and to set them up is time consuming and expensive. Most times for the early engines i expect the cam bearing fix will resolve the issue as it is a design fault.

I am no mechanic but if it is variators that are not working and need replacing i would not expect it to be only an issue that is apparent for the first few seconds of startup while the oil gets around the engine. "Variable Valve Timing is a system that allows variable opening and closing timing of the engine‟s valves. The timing of the intake camshafts can be varied continuously between maximum retarded and maximum advanced position. To this end, a “timing variator” is fitted on each intake camshaft. VVT optimises engine efficiency for different engine load and engine speed conditions"

There is an excellent doc on the https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5gx14hy9cx8jor6/AABWPA2lkFJ5Va8zv1VeoAxGa?dl=0 which describes how it all works. From _M139 201140074-ItM-2009-EN.pdf page 165 the variators were changed for Model Year 09. When they did the Cam bearing fix for mine they also replaced the Solenoids which is relevant "The timing variator must be in the locked position with the reference marks together. Possible rattle on startup can be caused by the locking pin not engaging and no oil pressure on start up."

The Cam bearing fix seems more logical for initial short lived rattle which is due to lack of oil pressure as if the variators were faulty it would persist. Mine is now at 45K miles so lets see. When all is said and done rattle noises are an indication of something but not a diagnosis so lets see what Graham Graypaul finds - sorry John could not resist that one

 

[Jkulin]

.....Graham Graypaul finds - sorry John could not resist that one

I'll let you off

 

[Jkulin]

Got the car back on Friday morning after nearly 4 weeks, everything appears to be done except they left the service light on and claim it was because they disconnected the battery to fit the parking sensors and that put it on, so bit of a pain in the a$$ as now have to take more time out of the office to get it reset, I'll get it all cleaned up and some piccies and do what I should have done originally and posted up in the newbies section.

Thanks for everyones input.

 

[Doohickey]

What did they say/do about the variator noise and is there an indication of cost? Mine's doing it so I'd be interested to know what the view was, although I've got a warranty I'm hoping will cover it!

 

[daverichardson]

Who is your warranty with?
My variators were done under warranty (before I purchased the vehicle) by warranty direct
I called them about it last year and they said it was no longer covered.
Interested because my warranty renewal is due the end of this month

 

[Doohickey]

Who is your warranty with?
My variators were done under warranty (before I purchased the vehicle) by warranty direct
I called them about it last year and they said it was no longer covered.
Interested because my warranty renewal is due the end of this month

It's with Warranty Direct. I took it out in June last year so we'll have to see what they say if that is the problem. I'm going to take it in in the next couple of weeks.

 

[daverichardson]

Thanks I will call them again for renewal, but as the varitors have already been done..........................

 

[Jkulin]

Well it seems I had been told a porkie!

The Variators were not fixed by Graham Paul(SIC), sorry Keano couldn't resist, but was repaired by an independent and they have declined to say who or how much, only that it was a lot cheaper than GrayPaul.

I have asked for a letter just to confirm that they have been replaced/repaired for the provenance of the car and am told that I will have that.

But other than that I cannot say as I cannot find out.

 

[D Walker]

It's with Warranty Direct. I took it out in June last year so we'll have to see what they say if that is the problem. I'm going to take it in in the next couple of weeks.

Did you go to Leeds supercar meet at Whitby Dave - was a couple of Masers on the vid but never saw yours.

I could not make it - which was a shame as only 20 mile for me to Whitby

 

[mjheathcote]

Did you go to Leeds supercar meet at Whitby Dave - was a couple of Masers on the vid but never saw yours.

I could not make it - which was a shame as only 20 mile for me to Whitby

I usually go, but it was freezing here and snowing on and off, plus the gritter drove past in the morning...I wasn't going anywhere!!

 

[Doohickey]

I usually go, but it was freezing here and snowing on and off, plus the gritter drove past in the morning...I wasn't going anywhere!!

No for similar reasons to Mike but also that I was full of cold and thought it would be pretty 'bracing' on the front at Whitby. The red one belongs to a member FF1078 and I've met the other guy at CITP. Looked like there were some pretty good cars there this time. Probably try to make the February meet.

 

[daverichardson]

Did not go because I never knew anything about it (honestly!) and then my usual timetable may have prevented it
Is there a link anywhere?

 

[Bobby Dandruff]

Hi All,

My car is going back to the dealers and then onto GrahamPaul in Nottingham to have a number of electrical faults rectified, however there is a start up noise that I have reported to the dealer and he says it is nothing to worry about.

I've attached a sample that I recorded today, is this normal? The car hasn't been driven since New Years Eve, the car has done 25K miles and has been fully dealer maintained.

They are collecting it on Tuesday and I imagine they will want it for about a week as the interior has a number of issues as well.

http://www.goldenchariots.com/downloads/maserati_cold_start_020116.m4a

Thanks for your thoughts.

I had this on my 4.2 (see my posts elsewhere) - the noise was only there when the car was very cold, but it was still alarming. It was also infrequent and no one was able to advise apart from say 'oh its the variators'. It was not serious or frequent enough to do anything about so I left it. :-/