Another Variator question

perleman

New Member
Messages
26
It's with them now, the car has only rattled once on startup ever, so I am taking a chance on just doing the cam covers & valves & see if this works predicatively to stop the rattle coming back
If it doesn't it isn't dead money as the full fix involves doing some of this work anyway
Cost is £900 compared with £3k+ to replace the actual variators which they have examined & said look / feel fine
Will post back in due course
 

[TM]

New Member
Messages
14
Well it’s my turn to join this thread sadly... car is at HR Owen doing initial fix but could well need the full variator job doing. They’re quoting 5k extra for this so I’m keen to look in to non main dealer options especially given how much labour will be in that price. Any suggestions of places near London I could sensibly trailer it to?
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,557
Catman, I have a 4.2 GT like yourself and it rattles on startup etc, etc. What mileage did you get yours fixed at and what price did you pay? Thanks

Can't find the bloody invoice now!

<edit> Found the electronic one

£4100 plus a few
76000

C
 
Last edited:

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,700
Update on this, got the rattle for the 1st time ever last week, car was very cold and had been sitting for a week

The bloke @ Shiltech recommended just taking the cam covers off, machining them to put in a non-return valve and reassembling for £900 including VAT
To be honest as the full fix is more like £3500 it is worth a go

As it has only rattled the one time he thought the variators probably aren't damaged & in need of replacement which is the big job as involves re-timing the engine

He said they have only had one job where the rattle persisted after doing this job and that was straight away after doing the machining work so maybe the rattle had been going on longer than the owner said when booking it in.

I was going to take it tomorrow but weather looks too bad so weds it is. Will report back. I would rather spend £900 to try and nip it in the bud than wait for it to progress and be guaranteed to have to spend £3.5k down the line
Speak with Geoff at Shiltech if you haven't already. Putting in the non return valves is around the £900 mark and replacing cam caps etc. is definitely >2.5plusvat
 

RichardS

Member
Messages
107
Mine haven't been done (yet). Quotations I had last year were £2,250 plus VAT from and Independent and £4,470 plus VAT from Lancaster Maserati.

My 3 year warranty will cover a labour rate of £75 an hour. The Indy has a £100 per hour rate. The main dealer rate is £155 plus VAT but they offered to discount it to £135 plus VAT.
 

hunta

Member
Messages
405
Do 4200/gs suffer from this?
A question I have always had. Don't know. Anyone?
I don't either, but I do know this...

I booked my GS into one of Emblem's Saturday morning clinics. Myles commented on the 1-2 secs variator rattle on start-up ('they all do that') and said that he's not known one to fail as a result. It can be cured (not cheaply was the impression I got) if it bothers you, but no real need.

I'm guessing anything more persistent or constant would be a different matter.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone has anything further on this though.
 

ChrisQP09

Member
Messages
2,994
Most people fix the problem because they are ‘embarrassed’ by the rattling Maserati!

When my GT S exhibited the noise it happened more in the cold weather. Link to weather?
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,557
No the 4200s don't have the same issue. I understand the cold start rattle on that engine is due to the failure of an oil non-return valve which allows oil to drain from the cams. There is a fix which has been discussed, comparatively simple replacement of said valve.

C
 

hashluck

Member
Messages
1,515
No the 4200s don't have the same issue. I understand the cold start rattle on that engine is due to the failure of an oil non-return valve which allows oil to drain from the cams. There is a fix which has been discussed, comparatively simple replacement of said valve.

C

Thanks, Mine will rattle 1-2 seconds after being stood a while. Not bothered by it as would almost expect it to happen and I thought the variator issue went on much longer and was a slightly different noise. That said, if it shouldn't do it and there is a relatively simple fix then happy days.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
I’m sure it has been posted above, but the part number is 180267. Currently £23.55 on ES so probably a bit less from Ross @ Meridien.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
The coupe can suffer as described and Emblem have assured me it is either a non return valve isse or a fault with the oil accumulator... I rejected a car that they inspected for me some years back as a result.
 

boomerang

Member
Messages
412
The non return valve was ordered 6 months ago, still not here, no stock available.
Took the valve apart and stretched the inner spring a little.
No rattle anymore!
Added an oil pre lube pump earlier, wich solved this “rattling”problem, but do not have to use it anymore.
Still, after the winter stop, it is nice to get the oil pressure up, before the engine starts running.