GTS engine catastrophe

[philw696]

Not that the Maserati oil pressure gauges are great bits of kit they can give you a warning.
On the GT you have the oil light which goes out with little pressure.

 

[Itare Sam]

Sad news but perhaps an opportunity...how about a Novitec supercharger on the new engine? Might as well do it in style!

Joking aside, it’s very rare and very unfortunate to have such a catastrophic issue. I’m sure Matt and Ashley will look after you.

I know that Porsche 911 gen 1 997 have engine issues that Harlech have solved with a rebuild, new liners etc. I wonder if calling them is worth a shot? I suspect that a good 2nd hand engine is better value but you never know, maybe they will fancy a challenge!

Otherwise you could follow the Overhaulin’ lead and drop in a crate LS2 and go full red neck. Ain’t no replacement for displacement. (Except lighter weight, better suspension, better braking.....)

Thanks for the thoughts. Yes it's tempting to think about coming out of this with a car that's faster than before - but actually I think Maserati got it about right with the GTS auto - the car's impressively wide repertoire of refinement and comfort through to roaring performance in sport mode is very impressive. So it would be great to just get it back to how it was, really.

 

[Wattie]

Thanks for the thoughts. Yes it's tempting to think about coming out of this with a car that's faster than before - but actually I think Maserati got it about right with the GTS auto - the car's impressively wide repertoire of refinement and comfort through to roaring performance in sport mode is very impressive. So it would be great to just get it back to how it was, really.

This is perhaps a silly question.
Do you know for sure where this sealant etc has come from and retrieved it all.
Ie If you don’t and you stick another engine in, could it happen again.

 

[Itare Sam]

Not that the Maserati oil pressure gauges are great bits of kit they can give you a warning.
On the GT you have the oil light which goes out with little pressure.

Maybe a gauge would have been helpful. I really don't recall the oil light coming on. It certainly didn't come on when the engine ran without noise at lower revs. Whether the oil light came on then the final 'big bang' happened I don't know, I was to busy backing off, checking the real view mirror for traffic and expecting to see a cloud of smoke (which didn't appear). In any case it would have been too late for warning lights then.

 

[Itare Sam]

This is perhaps a silly question.
Do you know for sure where this sealant etc has come from and retrieved it all.
Ie If you don’t and you stick another engine in, could it happen again.

As I understand it, we don't yet have any explanation for the presence of the sealant in the oilways and we don't know it's origin. That's quite a thought, that it could happen to the next engine too. I guess impossible to say unless we find the answers to where the sealant came from and why it was circulating in the oilways. That'll keep me awake at night when the car returns.

 

[Itare Sam]

MASERATI GRANTURISMO M145 4.7 S MC SHIFT COMPLETE ENGINE - FULL WORKING ORDER | eBay

Maserati Granturismo 4.7 S engine. This will only fit cars with the MC shift gearbox. This item is in full working order and was sourced from a low mileage 2009 Granturismo 4.7 S MC shift with 42,000 miles and a full Maserati history.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks Phil, one to keep in mind. It's done 10k more miles and is two years older than my engine, plus it's from an MC Shift which I understand means it has some differences compared to the 4.7S in the auto. But it's a possibility.

 

[Itare Sam]

You might consider searching on Copart's website. They are probably the biggest in volume of total loss cars. There may be a written off 4.7 engined GT in their collection open to bids.

Thank you - definitely worth checking there.

 

[RobinL]

Maybe a gauge would have been helpful. I really don't recall the oil light coming on. It certainly didn't come on when the engine ran without noise at lower revs. Whether the oil light came on then the final 'big bang' happened I don't know, I was to busy backing off, checking the real view mirror for traffic and expecting to see a cloud of smoke (which didn't appear). In any case it would have been too late for warning lights then.

Going back to an earlier post by Devonboy - don't necessarily assume that the silicon sealant was mis-applied after production. It could just as easily have been applied at factory. It would take a while to 'break away'.
I would certainly contact Maserati for their input. There is scope to ask them for no-fault contribution towards replacement of the engine as a 'goodwill' gesture.
Sadly warranty would never be applicable in this case but with good service history available you should at least ask Maserati, at least a couple of times..
I had cause to go this route with a Cadillac STS a while back on a gearbox failure. After initial disbelief from the dealer I eventually got a decent result from their Corporate client services.
Worth a try.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

 

[Itare Sam]

Is it worth getting a sample of the oil sent away for analysis ?

That's a question for Matt and Ashley I think. I don't know if it would help explain where the sealant came from but it might help identify the extent of the damage I guess. But if the engine is definitely beyond repair there might not be any point.

 

[Itare Sam]

Going back to an earlier post by Devonboy - don't necessarily assume that the silicon sealant was mis-applied after production. It could just as easily have been applied at factory. It would take a while to 'break away'.
I would certainly contact Maserati for their input. There is scope to ask them for no-fault contribution towards replacement of the engine as a 'goodwill' gesture.
Sadly warranty would never be applicable in this case but with good service history available you should at least ask Maserati, at least a couple of times..
I had cause to go this route with a Cadillac STS a while back on a gearbox failure. After initial disbelief from the dealer I eventually got a decent result from their Corporate client services.
Worth a try.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

Thank you, yes interesting point about the sealant possibly being there from manufacture then over time becoming detached. This would suggest it would happen more often though. And yes it is certainly worth considering contacting Maserati to see if they are feeling magnanimous. Good to hear you got some compensation for the STS.

 

[eight]

Bad luck, sorry to read this.
I don't own one - yet - but this hasn't put me off!
Hope you can get it sorted ok.

 

[Felonious Crud]

As I understand it, we don't yet have any explanation for the presence of the sealant in the oilways and we don't know it's origin. That's quite a thought, that it could happen to the next engine too. I guess impossible to say unless we find the answers to where the sealant came from and why it was circulating in the oilways. That'll keep me awake at night when the car returns.

I'm sure Matt & Ashley will make sure to give it a very, very thorough once over first.

I once dropped a new engine into my MkIII Spitfire. Bloody thing had straw in; I'm sure mice had been nesting. Bloody scrappie. Size of Alsation suggested simply cleaning it out was the better course of action than trying to discuss any pressing matters of client satisfaction with the gentleman who ran the scrap yard.

 

[Itare Sam]

I'm sure Matt & Ashley will make sure to give it a very, very thorough once over first.

I once dropped a new engine into my MkIII Spitfire. Bloody thing had straw in; I'm sure mice had been nesting. Bloody scrappie. Size of Alsation suggested simply cleaning it out was the better course of action than trying to discuss any pressing matters of client satisfaction with the gentleman who ran the scrap yard.

Though to be fair, straw would probably do less damage inside an engine than silicone sealant. Not sure about mouse droppings though...

 

[jasst]

You have my utmost sympathy, as one who has suffered from Maserati engine failure myself (although due to different circumstances) I really do feel your pain.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Though to be fair, straw would probably do less damage inside an engine than silicone sealant. Not sure about mouse droppings though...

The droppings would add a rustic aroma.

 

[BennyD]

Get an 8C and break it for the engine. Either that or EuroSpares.

 

[xcalibull]

As I understand it, we don't yet have any explanation for the presence of the sealant in the oilways and we don't know it's origin. That's quite a thought, that it could happen to the next engine too. I guess impossible to say unless we find the answers to where the sealant came from and why it was circulating in the oilways. That'll keep me awake at night when the car returns.

I’m not too much familiar with mechanics but can it be that in your last service they used the sealant for the oil screw? It will be a strange practice and obviously a huge mistake as it is not needed but maybe you can remove the plug (screw) and check it to me sure if there is any remaining or marks of use.

 

[Gazcw]

I'm sure Matt & Ashley will make sure to give it a very, very thorough once over first.

I once dropped a new engine into my MkIII Spitfire. Bloody thing had straw in; I'm sure mice had been nesting. Bloody scrappie. Size of Alsation suggested simply cleaning it out was the better course of action than trying to discuss any pressing matters of client satisfaction with the gentleman who ran the scrap yard.

Was it standard or did you upgrade to 1000bmp?

 

[Itare Sam]

You have my utmost sympathy, as one who has suffered from Maserati engine failure myself (although due to different circumstances) I really do feel your pain.

Thank you. Though such engine failure is not the most pleasant of coincidences, it's good to know others have genuine understanding and sympathy. Was your rebuilt or replaced?

 

[Felonious Crud]

Was it standard or did you upgrade to 1000bmp?

If I could have wrung 50 bhp out of that croaky, worn-out old limp it would have been a miracle.