Carlo @ Alfa Tacoma or Dealer...?

Well guys, I am having a problem with the long-term fuel trim in my 355. In addition, I"m getting both cat codes (Please see my threads in 355 section and Technical Q&A).

My tech can't find a problem and I am now having to decide the following:

Do I take a chance at the dealer? Plenty of arguments to stay away from the dealer if I can, especially with a 355, which is a heck of a lot easier to fix than a F430.

Or, do I make the drive up to Tacoma and drop her off with Carlo? I'm thinking that my injectors may be clogged or not or not flowing correctly. My tech can take them out so I can send them out to be tested, but I'm not 100% sure this is my problem. My tech has been very honest with me and is a little frustrated that he can't seem to pinpoint the problem.

Carlo is world-renowned for his knowledge of the older (pre-1990s) Ferraris. Does anyone have any insight on his abilities with the newer cars, specifically the 355s?

I'm away on business for 2 weeks but will make a decision when I get home.

Any info would be immensely appreciated.

Thanks.

 

As I'm sure you've heard me say before, Pope Carlo is simply the BEST. But I've always
heard really good things about RTGT in Portland as well. Carlo works on 355 and newer
on a daily basis, and re-trains in Maranello every September to keep up on the newer cars.
The only cars he tends not to do much with are the REALLY new cars that require a $30,000
computer from Ferrari to run diagnostics. 355 is way prior to that system.

If you do end up deciding to go with Carlo, drop me a PM and we'll go out for lunch
or a beer while you're in town.

Jedi

 

That's a no brainer in my book. Pope Carlo!! Every time.

 

Carlo @ AoT.

 

Carlo does magnificent work & is very good with 355s.

 

and 330s and Dinos, and 308s and 328s and Mondials and 348s and .... well you get
the picture. AND he's just plain a NICE GUY with an Italian accent, and once
worked in the F1 pits for Ferrari and Lotus....

But I'm a little biased


Jedi

 

Actually not, the F355 was one of the first to require the SD1, which evolved to SD2, then the current SD3. It depends on the problem, but the F355 requires an SD1 or SD2 for many diagnostic items, along with brake bleeding (to open the ABS valves), working on the A/C, spider top, F1 system and other items of which are way out of my knowledge base. For simple emission control faults (Diagnotic Trouble Codes) the F355 uses the same system that ALL cars made since 1996 use (federal requirement), which is OBDII, and you can use any OBDII compliant device to read, and clear codes...that is the case even with the new 458 Italia.

 

Thank you Hugh for the correction... I only based my comment on how many 355's I've
seen in AoT for full majors, etc....

I appreciate the info.

Your friend,

Jedi

 

Blampee, what you need is what Brian Crall described, a real technician, that has true diagnostic skills. Your problem has been narrowed considerably due to the assistance of Jim Conforti...you are at the point where if you print out the thread, and take it to the right technician, they should be able to find the fault and correct it. I don't care for the broad brush you are swiping with FNA dealers in general...that really isn't fair. Carlo Durante, is certainly a master technician with the analytical skills to find this fault. Mark Glenwood at Ferrari of Seattle is another. I am unfamiliar with RTGT, so not sure who you would need to talk to. Regardless, I think you will need to consult with whomever you decide on, and explain the situation, and your expectations, before going further.

 

Drive on up, take Jedi up on his lunch offer then have him buzz you over to the train station. Tacoma to Portland is less than 30 bucks. A week later take the train back up to pick up your baby.

 

What he said

Seriously, the Amtrak station is about 1 mile from Carlo's... even if you don't take me up, you can take the little choo choo 1 block
South of Amtrak that goes about 1 mile, and ends walking distance from Alfa of Tacoma.


Jedi

 

It doesn't matter if you drive a Honda or a Ferrari. If you can avoid the dealer it is a proven fact that you will save money. I am not going to discuss RTGT on this forum. I know nothing about FoS, but if I can take my 355 to a very good technician I will always choose that option.

I understand that I will need a dealer if I have a problem with the F1 tranny, etc., but I will always choose an independent if I can.

And, Carlo is highly regarded. I don't like the fact that if something is wrong with your car the dealer will only be interested in replacing the part and not explaining any options for a rebuild, etc.

I have confidence in Carlo and I will bring my 355 to him within the next month.

I thank all of you for the input. Jedi, lunch or something sounds great. I'll most likely bring Katie but the train option sounds okay...IDK...we may just make a day of it and visit Seattle and she can drive me home. Either way I'm interested in saying hi!

 

Please PM me and we can email the details... I'll be MORE than happy to help you out.


Jedi

 

Does the F355 have OBD-II?

I ask because my 1995 456GT had OBD-I, which could ONLY be read by the factory scanner. The 1997 and newer 456s had OBD-II, which could be read (in part) by any scanner.

Anyway, you'd be fine at RTGT. They know what they are doing, and Kelly is a good guy.

 

And I'd check Carlo's schedule. He may need it for more than a few hours if that's what you're anticipating? Fortunately for Jedi he lives across town and if needed can leave Sofia for a sleepover and bring her home between raindrops.

 

No really, I finally convinced him she will not melt. Don't set his new enlightenment back please.

 

Oh, you kidder you....

Jedi

ps - got caught out in that very rain TODAY!! Melting not as yet evident.... spinny wheels, yeah - a bit....



Jedi

 

Well, you have basically painted yourself into a corner. With that attitude, what FNA dealer would even want you as a customer anyway? Ever seen the signature line on Rifledriver's posts? It says "We fix 10% off services". Do you understand his point? I want to save money as much as the next guy, but the value of that is worthless if the work doesn't meet expectations...I use independents, hell I go see Carlo and consider him a good friend too! But Ferrari of Seatte has helped me out of more than one scrape and done great work as well (they performed my major service). The long winded point of my posts here is that you need to consider the PERSON doing the work first, not the cost. Particularly with a difficult job you have....you want it done right the first time, and end the frustration. My suggestion was to call and speak to both individuals, and discuss your problem (an interview) and then make your decision. Okay, enough criticizing...remind me I owe you a drink when we meet!

 

I understand all of your points. However, I am not going to get into details about the 2 experiences I have had with Kelly and RTGT.

This is why I am looking at driving my 355 175 miles to drop her off at Carlo. We spoke on the phone and he will have time for my car at the end of this month.

I am planning on dropping it off for as long as he needs it--not just for the day.

With all of the wonderful things people say about Carlo I have no doubt that he will be able to fix my LTFT problem. And there doesn't seem to be anyone on this forum who can disagree with that.

If anyone really wants ALL the details regarding my aversion to taking her to RTGT then we can discuss that via PM.

I'm actually looking forward to meeting Carlo, btw. He sounds like a real car guy!!!

 

Can your current technician provide you with the emissions readings pre catalyst at idle and 2000 rpm. HC readings must be bellow 300PPM preferable bellow 200PPM, lower the better. O2 should be bellow 2.4% at precat and around 1% post cat. CO should be .7% +-.5% Carefull about considering the lean condition, O2 sensors read oxygen, missfires (even minor) resulting in HC and O2 emissions may trigger high fuel trims and will overwork the catalyst resulting in premature failure or efficiency faults. PM me if you wish to discuss further.

 

OBDII started in 1996 (except for the NSX which had OBDII in 95). A 1995 F355 had OBD1.

 

I believe that is the reason there are no US 1996 456GTs.

 

But weren't the 355's part of an update campaign to be OBDII compliant?

 

Yes. I had my update done a few months ago on my 355.

 

Yes, but it only related to Ferrari not installing a needed ground wire, causing you to have to use the SD1 or SD2 in order to read the diagnostic trouble codes. This was illegal, and required Ferrari to order a recall to correct this. Takes 15 minutes and a couple dollars in parts...free at any FNA dealer. Attached are the affected cars (everything Ferrari produced from 2006 until a few months before the recall was announced), as well as the specific procedure.

Once the update is performed, you can read the DTC codes with any OBDII compliant device, just like any other car.
View attachment obd2.pdf