F40- smell of leaking gas

Do you guys have "winter" fuel over there? That does tend to smell a touch as it evaporates off through vents. May be nothing but whenever you smell fuel you should have it checked ASAP!

 

Hi Alex. Only had my F40 for a couple of months and yes there is a smell of fuel too. Was also slightly concerned about this so in a way am pleased to hear that you are experiencing the same - assuming it is normal!? My car also requires the suspension recall. Can I ask who you are using and has it been straight forward to organise, procedure etc. ? I gather it is carried out under warranty?

 

Dear Comrades RED HEAD and Stradman,

With regard to F-40 fuel tanks. You will no doubt be aware that the tanks require replacement at ten yearly intervals. You should establish whether the tanks, when replaced, were fitted by an approved Ferrari dealership and that the tanks were the correct bona fide Ferrari items. Should it transpire that the tanks have been replaced with non original components you should establish whether the insurers of the vehicle are prepared to accept the risk. For example, I understand that AON will not accept the risk unless they have been informed and that their nominated surveyor has examined the vehicle. Accordingly, under the 'Duty Of Disclosure' you should establish the facts of the matter and make absolutely certain that you are in a safe position with regard to insurance cover.

With kind regards,

512 Tea Are

 

The fuel cells aren't made by Ferrari. There are many fuel cell manufactures capable of making replacement cells to the highest standards as required by law and Sporting regulation. The idea that fuel cells made to these specification could be denied insurance cover is absurd.

As an aside you probably don't want to use fuel cells that have not been built recently to the standard of oxygenated/+ethanol
gasoline.

 

Jim,

I think by "bonafide Ferrari items" Graham simply meant items that are used by Ferrari. We all know that much of what is on a Ferrari is not made by the men at Maranello.

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

If you look at the sticker on their F1 cars you will see who they use. The point is you can too if you don't wish to pay them to place the order for you.

DK are good guys and can certainly source fuel cells for you. Give them my Best.

 

Dear Comrade Stradman,

I accept all that you say. However, you should make certain that you have certification with the tanks that state that they are indeed genuine Ferrari components. And for clarity and completeness, I believe that you should inform your insurers in writing that the tanks were installed by a non franchised specialists. Your insurers will then confirm to you in writing whether they are providing cover. I believe that it is important that this should be done under 'Duty Of Disclosure.'

With kind regards,

512 Tea Are

 

Joe

There was an interesting thread about the cost of a linear actuator that lifts the nose on an Enzo. The price was 8K pounds from Ferrari UK, 6.9K pounds from Eurospares and I directed Mike to one that I'm sure the boys at DK or GTO could fit for $109 US.

Choices...

 

Dear Comrade Joe Sackey,

I am making a clear cut statement here that if the tanks are not supplied via Ferrari and do not have the necesssary certification and have not been fitted by a Ferrari dealership then there is a strong likelihood, that under the 'Duty Of Disclosure' that the insurance company would not settle a claim.

I would urge anyone that has aftermarket tanks, or indeed genuine Ferrari tanks that have been fitted by a non franchised specialist to get matters clarified in writing by their insurers. It is a simple matter to do so and in my opinion foolhardy in the extreme not to protect oneself with clear cut documentation.

I shall say no more on the matter as no more needs to be said.

With kind regards,

512 Tea Are

 

As they say on this side of the Pond:

Tru Dat.

 

Good advice methinks...

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

Well stated indeed.

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

Stradman,

Your freind seeks simply to give you prudent advice and to encourage you to protect your interests if you wish. He is right in what he is saying. Whether that appears clear to you or not, or whether you agree with the procedures of insurance companies is another matter. However you dont need to take his advice if you dont want to.... in fact I am indeed aware that some insurance companies will deny a claim upon discovery of modification. Remember, we are not talking about your nan's Nissan Micra. We are talking about a potential liability upon a half-million pound Ferrari motorcar.

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

Dear Comrade Stradman,

I am merely doing my best endeavours to be helpful and therefore have stated what I believe to be the facts of the matter. For myself, I would establish my true position with regard to the fuel tanks with my insurer. If my insurer was then willing to provide a document with an uniquivocal statement that the non Ferrari tanks installed by a non Ferrari franchised specialist, or conversely bona fide Ferrari tanks installed by a non franchised specialist was acceptable, then I would of course be perfectly content. I have already stated that it is my understanding that AON, who insure a large number of Ferrari's within this realm are unlikely to find the aforementioned to be acceptable, unless their own surveyor has confirmed the integrity of the tanks and their installation.

It is for you to do as you wish. However, I am simply bringing to the attention of contributors that there is a duty of disclosure of material facts that should be presented to their insurers.

Furthermore, if a car is fitted with a non standard exhaust this is also likely to invalidate the insurance.

With kind regards,

512 Tea Are

 

Graham,

There is also nothing wrong with those who wish to learn the hard way. Its called 'experience'...

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

Dear Comrade Joe Sackey,

We all of us have a moral obligation to share information with each other that may prove to be beneficial. Should those who seemingly know better then take it upon themselves to make a choice of availing themselves, or not, of that which has been gratuiously provided, then, the contents of your post regarding 'experience' may well be revealed to them at some stage. The latin phrase that springs to mind here is 'caveat emptor.' Therefore, if someone makes a clear cut decision not to provide information to their insurer that discloses a material fact(s) that could affect the insurers decision to take on the risk, then, should the worst happen, one should then ask oneself the question that in such a circumstance would it then be unreasonable for the insurer to flag up the aspect of insurance regarding 'Duty Of Disclosure?' I think not.

All the foregoing notwithstanding, you and I have performed our moral duty and we can do no more than this. It is a very simple thing for an owner of a vehicle, to put a simple letter before their insurers detailing the facts of something that may materially affect the insurers decision to pay out in the event of a loss.

It is in the very best interest of all those who have fitted different wheels, sports exhausts et al, to provide this information to their insurers and thus gain a clear cut statement (in writing) from their insurer confirming that the insurer is providing cover, or not, as indeed the case may well be.

With kind regards,

512 Tea Are

 

Thanks Alex. Just booked mine in for the recall at Egham too. Will also ask them to fit the missing chrome mouldings on the doors.

 

No matter how many time you state things that are not true they remain untrue. Your statement that using a very reputable authorized motor vehicle repair service such DK Engineering to replace F40 fuel cells with new fuel cells that meet all applicable government safety regulations is not true and defames DK engineering in that it implies they would be party to an act that could void your insurance inferring that their work could make your car unsafe in the eyes of an insurance company. Your Statement to the effect that said action could in any way void your insurance and that you have an obligation to notify your insurance company in writing that you have used an Authorised motor vehicle repair station licenced by the government to repair your car using parts manufactured to governmentally approved standards is also not true.

Showing a reckless disregard for the truth and defaming reputable companies such as DK Engineering is a serious matter.

 

Some insurance companies might defect on a claim with an after market fuel tank, but any that does with a government approved, professionally-installed unit isn't worth spending the money on in the first place.