Scud headlight condensation

I am very interested in how this turns out. First, it seems every Scud with CF headlights has this problem. I don't think it is known, when they are eventually replaced, whether the same problem will resurface. I have seen it called condensation, but it does not in any way look like condensation to me. It is a crazing/spidering of the inside of the plastic lens.

I am considering the extended warranty. Power Cube, as it reads is "is comparable
to the new car warranty," so you would think the headlights would be covered.

BUT, I don't like how they've weaseled in a bunch of exclusions such as "excludes body trim, glass" and "Corrosion of body panels" and "Normal noise, vibrations, wear and tear of the components" and "Wind noise, leaks from the seals..." while "oil seals and oil leaks in general are not included".

Seems there are WAY too many loopholes if Ferrari has not, in fact, fixed the problem and/or decides to save some money by saying it is normal wear and tear or is corrosion, leaks from seals (condensation), or some other excuse.

Please post your outcome because if Ferrari weasels out of this, which IMO, is a known defect, then there is not much point in buying the Power Cube warranty.

 

I can tell you that the claim has to be submitted for each occurance, but have been approved in the past using the " Power Cube " warranty.

Power Cube is " health insurance " on your car, it's not going to cover everything, no warranty does, but I feel the Power Cube policy clearly list what is and is not covered, and for the money offers quality coverage.

Just my .02 worth...


S

 

My headlights on my 16M have the same issue. When I took it to the dealer (Ron Tonkin) they checked with Ferrari and Ferrari said no go because my car was two days out of warr. It had also snowed the two previous days. I thought this was pretty ****y of Ferrari.

 

If the cube covers it, you may still be able to buy the cube (when did your 16M come out of warranty - it must have been an early one!). IIRC you can get cube for some # of days after OEM warranty expires.

FWIW, my ferrari dealer said the "stuff" in the headlight is a "growth" of some sort of mold/fungus. That surprised me. But when I looked at it I kinda believed them. What a super-crapy and way-too-expensive problem...

The 2-day thing is total crap too of course. Did you happen to have it in for service prior to warranty expiration wherein the service folks may be able to say they saw it then?

 

Is there any fix other than replacement? I'm interested in finding out if the replacement lamps have been changed in some way or are just new ones prone to the same problem.

 

I would say from my personal experience that Boardwalk is top notch with trying to help customers, especially on warranty issues.

They have always taken EXCELLENT care of me.

 

First let me say that I love my Scuderia. But no car is perfect.

The two things that frustrate me the most is (1) how so many cars at this MSRP have 'hidden' problems and (2) then the manufacturer/FNA has such inconsistent resolution/response.

CF headlamps crazing...Covered under original warranty, perhaps covered under Power Cube, but definately not under Power Normal.

CF engine panels yellowing/fading...Two small ones near exhaust replaced under campaign (and heat shields added if not already present), larger panels/airboxes/coolant tank covered under original warranty, perhaps covered under Power Cube, but no under Power Normal.

So I have a 2008 with Power Normal.

My CF engine panels...Left large engine panel and coolant tank cover replaced under warranty by previous owner. Left panel looks fine, coolant tank cover fading again. Now right panel is beginning to fade/discolor. Submitted to FNA by Newport Beach dealer and declined. Yet another Scuderia owner with the same MY2008 and same problem was successful in getting panels refinished (not replaced) at FNA's cost. WHY THE DIFFERENCE IN REPONSE FROM FNA?

My CF headlamps...leftside heavily crazed; right side started to craze. Originally declined by FNA because its not covered under Power Normal. Asked once - declined. Asked twice - declined. FINALLY, I told them that I bought the car as CPO and how in the world could the dealership sell a CPO vehicle with a SAFETY issue. What safety issue? Well the left headlamp was so crazed that it actually affected the light pattern from the headlamp. This arguement was successful and FNA agreed to replace under "good will" (FWIW, I was told that the crazing will happen again; inherrent 'design flaw' with the CF housings). AND YET OTHERS HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL.

Again, my frustration is the inconsistent response and the fact that this problem is so wide-spread for many 2008 Scuderias (and even 2009 in the case of headlamps). These are clearly design/engineering/mfg process flaws.

If this were a mass produced / mainstream brand, you can bet there would be a RECALL for at least the headlamps which are a potential safety issue. The % occurence would be too high for Nissan, Toyota, MB, Volvo, Hyundai, etc. to ignore. So why can Ferrari get away with it?

Hmmm....

DL

 

Any car with Carbon fiber panels in the engine compartment is prone to yellowing of the resin. It is about heat and resin.

Personally, it doesn't bother me at all. A great Carbon shop could sand the burned resin and apply new one.

The headlights, easy fix, but dealers replace them with new units. I think just a new screen and a 1/2 day of work gets them as good as new.

 

Do you have any idea if they have improved materials on the new cars - with folks going gaga for CF everywhere, are we headed for another mess?

 

Actually there are so many types of epoxy and resin you would not believe. Strength properties and also temperature ranges. They used the wrong type. Period.

 

As for the headlights. Is there something we can do to prevent this from happening?

 

Since my CF headlights were changed I have had zero issues. If you live in a climate with considerble humidity,place a de-humidifier in the garage -run it particularly at night.

 

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