Living the Nightmare...

Sorry to hear your problems with the car. I don't know the answer but it sucks big time. I have bought 2 used Ferrari's in the past and so far no unusual problems with them. I have no idea of how it happens and with what frequency.

 

If you're looking for perfection, you bought the wrong brand.

 

1) A dealer is telling you one cylinder is "-80%". If I was you I would get your car back ASAP! Then get a second opinion. It seems fishy that after the ppi leak down came up positve that all of a sudden one is down HUGE????????? Find a good independent and have his down another leak down, or better yet, if you are handy with a wrench do the leak down yourself.

2) What code/s did the engine throw? Or did the dealership even tell you????

 

Is this the same dealer that you bought the car from? If so and if they aren't a qualified Ferrari service center I'd get a second opinion...

 

Second opinion asap get your car out of the shop

I have seen the best folks do a leak down wrong, piston moves under pressure and opens a valve and the dumb ass never notices ( i am the dumbass)

Dont panic!!!

 

Try to get the codes.

Kai

 

What type of headers were used when replaced? Who did the valve guides, when, and what product was used?

Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

 

Just because there's a big Ferrari sign on the building doesn't mean you should take their word for it. I would recommend another test. It's likely one of the two previous was incorrect.

 

"Step away from the ledge atleast until we know who inherits your headache, please!!"
Joking

First off I would like too say I do not own a Ferrari but I do know a few people who drop/rebuild and re-install their own Fcar engines. My meaning is if you can find a friend who is not scared just because it is a Ferrari you can not only save a S%^% load of money you can still get a quality rebuild in 1/3 of the time.

Drop me a pm if you want contact info from someone I know and trust and who has Ferrari, F1 etc etc etc etc experience.

 

As to the second opinion idea-- well, a leak down is pretty conclusive that something's going on in that cylinder. It's very mechanical and measurable. It's not like someone's "opinion" as to what's going on.

Most likely, a second test is not going to change things. Perhaps the estimated repair bill may change but I think it's unlikely the dealer did the test improperly. For them to give an estimate repair like this --- I'm sure they did not take it lightly. No one wants to hear this kind of news.

Ernie: You're making an accusation that the dealer is being dishonest. That's some dangerous territory. It's very possible he has broken a ring or has a valve problem. Stuff happens.

 

Would 80% leakdown to be noticeable while driving? Was the engine misfiring or running rough?

You may want to go over the leakdown with the tech at the dealer. Have him show you how he did the leakdown on that side of the engine and compare the results from each cylinder. If the results are consistent with his original findings, then ...

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uepFO4psgKE&vq=medium[/ame]

Just trying to lighten things up a bit. I know the feeling and it sucks. My cars' at BRADAN right now for a major-major.

 

LOL... getting a "second opinion" is a figure of speech. With a quote of 20 grand for repairs I would most certainly have another test/evaluation/assessment performed.

 

Do you understand what a leak down test is? Do you understand how they get to a figure of 80%?

It's a measuring method to determine how well a cylinder holds pressure over time. It's not like someone listening to a noise or a looking at some leak and making a guess what the problem may be. That would be "an opinion".

If I put a ruler to measure 10 inches on a piece of paper, I would expect that another ruler when used properly to also measure 10 inches.

For all you guys who shout "get a PPI and make sure it has a leak down test before you buy!" --- Now you're saying that if you get it good test it may be BS and you should get 2 so you can confirm the first one.

Honestly, we need to give the OP some better advice here than just telling him his dealer is either dishonest or inept. He's facing some really serious issues. We can do better for him.

 

Really curious about this.

 

So the dealership had no 30/60/90 day defect free guarantee? Or when the issue came up, it was past this period? If i had bought a Ferrari 355 from a dealership, and then very shortly after it had major issues, i be running back to the dealership kicking their door down, but that's just me.

Really sorry to hear about this :/

 

if someone is properly doing the test! Do yourself a favor and have the test done again or do it yourself. It is not a hard test to do. You see I have always said the most dangerous Ferrari to buy is a 355. This is a classic example. It is possible for these valves to rattle around on the seats and seal if you get them in the right place during the test. The leakdown test is static. No one seems to use vacuum tests but those are dynamic and when used in context with other tests a better appraisal of engine health can be had. Look at where we have come. When the internet was young there were almost no diy'ers in the Ferrari world. Used buyers looked with their eyes and later compression tests the rage. Now everyone knows to ask for leakdown tests but still there are gaps in the buyers education. Are Vacuum tests the next new thing? They would be if I was buying a 355. Lets see what happens in the next few years...

 

Wait, how long passed between the purchase & the problem? Sounds like the shop faked a PPI when you purchased.