Hello, I am opening this thread since the last time this subject was treated was in 2015. My recently acquired 360 Modena is a 99 and has received updated cam variators in 2004. Should I be OK with it? A shop has told me that I probably have “phase 2” of the variators, that they could still fail and I should update them to “phase 4”, and current version, of variators. Is this accurate? Thanks for your help. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
I’ve been quoted up to $20k to replace variators. ive been advised some upgraded replacement variators have failed. from what I’ve observed if one goes it is remove head(s) replace valves... or worst case scenario buy yourself a good used 360 engine— these go for 12-20k... I’m totally comfortable installing a replacement engine in my 360.... based on above numbers I would not fix it if it’s not broken. Personal risk tolerance and ability to sleep at night will vary!
Part deaux- prepare yourself for an onslaught of keyboard strikes warning of impending doom and destruction based on internet conjecture and stress concentration factors of varying radii!
Had my 99 for years and am not gonna worry about it. Don't recall a post on Fchat regarding variator failure, although I may have missed it.
You will hopefully learn with the 360, unless it is broken.. just enjoy the car. Anytime you repair something, you have to disassemble components to fix it. This introduces potential error and risk for misassemblage into the process. enjoy the car. Replace the belts of out of 5 years.. but enjoy it.
You will find variator replacement can involve breaking then buying new cams. drive enjoy..., and keep a few bucks aside for repairs.
I just had mine replaced a couple months ago with timming belt service my bill was $8760 Image Unavailable, Please Login Sent from my SM-G996U1 using Tapatalk
I know someone that there's just destroyed there engine.That's why I had mine replaced. Sent from my SM-G996U1 using Tapatalk
right but my question is if anyone can confirm that there are different designs of cam variators? Or once they were replaced in 2004 under warranty then I am good to go?
I only seen 1 version when ordering mine a couple months ago Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Sent from my SM-G996U1 using Tapatalk
As far as I know there are only two parts numbers, the parts number for the old variator is 169447 and the new one is 190042. There seems to be no other part numbers for the part. Full disclosure I had mine replaced on my 99 360 in 2018 because the original ones were still on the car.
Right - but I am asking if the version of the cams that they installed in 2004 is still a "bad one" and I should upgrade to a "newer edition" of the cam variators.
You must be talking about Haris as he’s the only one I’ve talked to in Houston that’s mentioned anything about 4 different versions of the variators and I was curious about it as well since I hadn’t heard anything like that. Asked him for a quote to replace the timing belt and was quoted ~$8000 bc he removes the cams and replaces the variators at each timing belt change. Seemed excessive but he said it’d be the only way he could guarantee his work for the duration of the timing belt service until the next replacement at which point, new variators go on again. He said this is how Ferrari of Houston does it and he worked there for over 20 years...go figure the dealer would overdo it. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
yep. i know he is the guru and he is also great in telling you scary stories. At the same time my logical mind thinks that if they used variators that were still defective in 2004 (when my car had the recall) , then there would have been a second recall. If not for my car, but for the 2004 cars which were still under warranty. so me thinks my 2004 variators are OK and I just need to do the belts and tensioners. But I wanted to double check.
"You must be talking about Haris as he’s the only one I’ve talked to in Houston that’s mentioned anything about 4 different versions of the variators and I was curious about it as well since I hadn’t heard anything like that. Asked him for a quote to replace the timing belt and was quoted ~$8000 bc he removes the cams and replaces the variators at each timing belt change. Seemed excessive but he said it’d be the only way he could guarantee his work for the duration of the timing belt service until the next replacement at which point, new variators go on again. He said this is how Ferrari of Houston does it and he worked there for over 20 years...go figure the dealer would overdo it." Zero justification.
Only if sheer stupidity is employed. Been replacing variators since 360s have been around and have not hurt a single cam. What kind of morons are doing this? And nearly $9 grand to do it. Was a gun used in this transaction. For the life of me I can't figure out why people fall for this ****. This is why these cars have a bad reputation. This stuff is not just being tolerated, its being believed.