Cold Start Noise

[Michael]

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. :-/

Bobby ditto - my 24k mile GranTurismo full Maranello history does exactly the same. In the summer no rattle on start up. In the winter it does for less that 2 seconds as the oil gets to the top of the engine I guess. If you I had a warranty that will pay for the fix (which is known by Maranello and Maserati UK) then would do it. I don't so live with it. This issue is I'm told if the rattle continues once the oil is circulating around the engine.

 

[Doohickey]

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?

Dave

Register on here and you will be included in emails confirming events. Jason's very touchy about them being publicised widely so we shouldn't do so on here. They generally start at 7 or 8am in North Leeds so it depends if you are up for an early departure!

http://www.leedssupercarmeet.co.uk/

Cheers.

 

[Doohickey]

Bobby ditto - my 24k mile GranTurismo full Maranello history does exactly the same. In the summer no rattle on start up. In the winter it does for less that 2 seconds as the oil gets to the top of the engine I guess. If you I had a warranty that will pay for the fix (which is known by Maranello and Maserati UK) then would do it. I don't so live with it. This issue is I'm told if the rattle continues once the oil is circulating around the engine.

That's what mine is doing as well. From reading on here, it doesn't appear to damage the engine although presumably if the variators are worn then it will only get worse? If the warranty won't cover it then I will probably leave for the time being as well.

How many more miles have you done since you first noticed it? 24K seems early from what I understand.

 

[daverichardson]

Dave

Register on here and you will be included in emails confirming events. Jason's very touchy about them being publicised widely so we shouldn't do so on here. They generally start at 7 or 8am in North Leeds so it depends if you are up for an early departure!

http://www.leedssupercarmeet.co.uk/

Cheers.

Thanks doohickey

 

[Bobby Dandruff]

That's what mine is doing as well. From reading on here, it doesn't appear to damage the engine although presumably if the variators are worn then it will only get worse? If the warranty won't cover it then I will probably leave for the time being as well.

How many more miles have you done since you first noticed it? 24K seems early from what I understand.

Well, I was annoyed as I bought mine from a Maserati main dealer so it shouldn't have been doing it in the first place! The car only had 16k on the clock and 24k when I sold it.

The noise was alarming, but so infrequent, I just forgot about it. I mentioned it to Maranello when it went it for some warrantly work, and they couldn't find anything.

 

[Jkulin]

Well it turns out it can't have been the variators as they have just been done and I have written confirmation from the dealer that this has been sorted yet the noise has come back twice this week.

Just had a chat with Graypaul Birmingham and they say it could be as simple as my driveway slopes at about 10% and the oil could be running back like it does with my 911, they have suggested for me to try parking on the flat for a few days and if it doesn't happen then the noise is just down to the parking.

 

[Bobby Dandruff]

Well it turns out it can't have been the variators as they have just been done and I have written confirmation from the dealer that this has been sorted yet the noise has come back twice this week.

Just had a chat with Graypaul Birmingham and they say it could be as simple as my driveway slopes at about 10% and the oil could be running back like it does with my 911, they have suggested for me to try parking on the flat for a few days and if it doesn't happen then the noise is just down to the parking.

That sounds like a complete guess to me!

My car was always parked in a (flat) garage. I'm surprised that they came up with such rubbish.

 

[Jkulin]

I'm undecided as if I park my 911 sloping down to our home it will always blow smoke on firing up, have been told by many dealers and owners that because of the flat 6 and the way it collects oil at the bottom of the pistons that this is a known thing.

I suppose it is plausible as the dealer who did the work could not replicate the noise despite having it for 4 weeks, yet it comes back to me and within a few days the noise is back.

 

[conaero]

That sounds like a complete guess to me!

My car was always parked in a (flat) garage. I'm surprised that they came up with such rubbish.

I was thinking bull**** too.

I would take the car back to the supplying dealer, give him 2 weeks to sort it or get your money back or you will hand this matter over to your solicitor.

 

[Jkulin]

At any time he has all the way through offered my money back, but I know that this car is excellent value for money and in really good condition, I'm quite patient and will get it sorted and at the end of the day I have 6 months to reject the vehicle if we can't get it resolved.

With this mileage, condition and in the colour and interior that I wanted I am highly unlikely to find another one that has just had all this work done, I've just got to see it through.

 

[MAF260]

Well it turns out it can't have been the variators as they have just been done and I have written confirmation from the dealer that this has been sorted yet the noise has come back twice this week.

Just had a chat with Graypaul Birmingham and they say it could be as simple as my driveway slopes at about 10% and the oil could be running back like it does with my 911, they have suggested for me to try parking on the flat for a few days and if it doesn't happen then the noise is just down to the parking.

Sounds like they're trying to fob you off. A bit like going to see your GP and being told to come back if the issue persists - they hope you can't be bothered and will live with it. These cars shouldn't make any noises like that regardless of how they're parked. Insist on the car going to a specialist of your choice for an inspection and report. If they refuse threaten them with legal action.

 

[safrane]

Maybe the main dealer did the work in the same way they change air filters!

 

[Contigo]

As much as it pains me to say it, on a wet sump engine and knowing what I know about these cars and oil they could well be talking the truth.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Well it turns out it can't have been the variators as they have just been done and I have written confirmation from the dealer that this has been sorted yet the noise has come back twice this week.

Just had a chat with Graypaul Birmingham and they say it could be as simple as my driveway slopes at about 10% and the oil could be running back like it does with my 911, they have suggested for me to try parking on the flat for a few days and if it doesn't happen then the noise is just down to the parking.

You're not a million miles from Autoshield in Manchester. I'd drop in there and have a word.

 

[Keano]

John

Did they do the camshaft modification at the same time ? Have they told you exactly what they did and what parts they replaced/modified ?

thx
keano

 

[Jkulin]

Hi Keano,

I have asked and all that they have confirmed to me in writing is: -

We wish to confirm the rectification and repair of the above vehicle variators

I have emailed them again and asked for specifics.

 

[Keano]

My view is they should have modifed the Variator Caps and fitted non-return valves as well as replace the Solenoids. Ask them for a parts lists so it is clear what they have used/done.

 

[Jkulin]

Thanks Keano,

I sent an email this morning to the owner of the dealership as follows: -

I'm having various discussion about this noise and they have all asked what precisely they did with the variators.

The reason is that there are various methods of repair, one being to just replace the variators and the problem will still exist long term, or they can replace with the newer version of the variators or the final option is that they do a Cam shaft modification.

Can you please identify the work that they carried out?

The owner is currently out of the country but did reply: -

I believe he did the first option, but will double check when I'm back.

He has offered me a very competitive years warranty to cover up to £5000 at an exceptional price, so will wait until he returns to discuss.

 

[Jkulin]

The last three days the noise has been present on every cold start, the dealer is fully aware but out of the Country until the 16th.

This evening when starting it up after it has been idle since Friday is sounded like a Bag of Spanners, which you can hear on the link below: -

http://www.goldenchariots.com/downloads/maserati_cold_start_070216.m4a

The sound lasted longer than the original recording http://www.goldenchariots.com/downloads/maserati_cold_start_020116.m4a

Whilst searching as to whether it is the Variators or not I came up against this thread, is there a difference between the Accumulator and the Variators, if so then could the issue be the Accumulator as the dealer has confirmed in writing and is adamant that the Variators have been repaired but can't confirm precisely what was fixed until his return to the UK.

Specifically the following posts is what makes me ask the question: -

Agree with Parisen. Dont lose faith and hope - this is an electrical part and as with any electrical part on any car - can easily fail! -

I had a little rattle when i started mine up - it turned out i did not need the Solenoids, BUT had them done anyway - Mine was the OIL Accumulator, which holds OIL when you switch the engine off, so that when you restart, there is a reservoir ready to feed parts - Mine failed as it was dropping back therefore taking its time to fill hence causing chatter like the mother in laws dentures!!!!

"mother in laws dentures" is the perfect description for the nose.

I have said before that I do not want to return the car for a refund as everything else has been sorted, I have suggested to the dealer that the car be taken to a Main Dealer at their cost for them to identify what the cause is and then a decision made as to how he wants to play it, I am trying to be fair and reasonable, all that I want is the car fixing.

 

[CatmanV2]

Totally different things. The oil accumulator is basically tank with a non-return valve to stop the oil draining away from the valves under the force of gravity. That noise you have is nasty and way worse than I'd expect from an accumulator failure.

C