Help! '06 430: error code in 1 cylinder..Valve issue?

'06 F430 Spider, ~16k miles, not driven hard…Check engine light comes on, I dutifully take it directly to a local who, while not an authorized shop, knows their stuff and works on exotics of all types.
Computer says bad ignition coil, no big deal, not a pricey part/big surprise…After getting part, they install and…we are still getting error code, indicating ONE cylinder has an issue. Upon start, engine doesn't sound HORRIBLE…but…you can tell it's idling a bit on the rough side. Mechanic is beside himself, as if this were an older model (like the 355 which had valve glide issues), this would be one thing, but he is stumped as to how a 430 with this mileage could have an issue. He is theorizing a possible valve spring causing a compression issue.
Where we are: As far as Ferraris have come, he's concerned because ironically, the newer models make it much harder to take the engine out. He's told me I'm looking at 40 hours labor to go that route (and that's just to try to GET to the problem). I would REALLY love to avoid dropping $4k minimum to go on a seek-and-find mission.
Anyone familiar with an issue remotely like this? Be advised, I'm not a mechanic and don't even know enough about cars to be dangerous, but thought I'd throw this out into the forum to see if anyone could help. Thanks in advance. Please don't let me make my next exotic an R8! =:-0

 

I would not jump to conclusions. I had something similar on my daughter's BMW. Misfire on one cylinder. We exchanged ignition coils with another cylinder. Same error. We exchanged spark plugs with another cylinder. Same error. Finally, I cleaned the idle control valve and found a small vacuum leak- a hose had become brittle. No more problems.

 

Let me get this straight... your mechanic didn't bother to do a compression or leak-down test and he came to the conclusion that the engine need to be out?!? hmmm... I think not!

 

But he knows his stuff and works on exotics.

 

Probably at the local gentlemen's club.
Alan

 

When you say "the computer said bad ignition coil" - was that a Ferrari diagnostic computer or a generic OBD code reader? If the latter do you know what the code(s) are?

Very disturbing that a mechanic would even approach the topic of loosening an engine mount based on this. You should start looking for another mechanic or authorized dealer asap.

 

Why don't you post the code here?

I personally use a Y-shaped stick (it must be Birch) and put both ends on my palms when I make an engine diagnosis... a bad valve bearing seems to come to mind...

 

ugh...that's funny Sh*t!!

but come on guys... this guys up against it!!

im sure no one feels worse than him, at this point...

remember some of us (me included) don't have the mechanical knowledge to fill a water bottle cap!!

so he is goin by what his mechanic is tellin him (right or wrong....fyi, sounds WRONG)!!

My .02 take it to reputable dealer/Independent, Ferrari speicialist.... and go from there!!

also... take the offers of others.. post the code, see what people in the know can tell ya.

good luck!!

 

It's all in good fun.

 

To help address the above comments, I talked w/ my guy, and have advised him he can jump on to my thread to better fully explain.
In short, he HAS done a compression test, and it's indicated low compression in one cylinder. I don't know what machine or code #, but I will get that info posted. While I appreciate the legitimate worry that I may have taken the car to a rube, my ignorance in being able to explain the problem as a non-gearhead shouldn't be construed as incompetence or an overeagerness to take my engine apart on his part. So, I appreciate the concern, but we can call off the SnarkFest here. These guys are reallly the "go-to" folks for high end cars of this type in this area, were even when we did have "authorized" service in the area, and are not out of their depth.

 

If they know what they are doing they should have the manifolds on the bench for inspection by now. If they haven't yet, then advise them to do so...

 

Then... 1) why are you posting here and... 2) pay them the $4000 and get them to do the work.

I was wondering about that too rustybits..

 

Mirrors my thoughts.

Lets see.....my trusted mechanic says X. I think I'll ask the advice of a bunch of faceless, nameless idiots, self professed internet gurus for their advice.







Eddie, stop it.

He has a paid professional on the job.

 

Thanks for the manifold suggestion...again, I'm not sure this hasn't been done, and to be clear, there is no rush to take out the engine. It is just a situation where the "normal" causes/solutions aren't readily apparent, and I thought there was an outside chance someone may have experienced a similar problem. And certainly being stumped on a problem isn't limited to non-authorized shops, as I've had situations in the past (both Ferrari and non-Ferrari) where the supposed experts were stumped for a diagnosis/solution.

 

That's true and if he is any good he will work through it or will have his own support system for advice.

One thing you never ever want to do is go tell your mechanic, doctor or plumber "Some dude on the internet said it might be this". Most places I know that will get you and your car shown the door. Seriously stupid thing to do.

 

Yes, he has his own contacts, this was my idea, but his ego is not such that it wouldn't allow there may be someone other than him or his circle who might be able to contribute something useful to the situation. Not that it's apples/apples, but for instance I'm sure the first person who discovered valve guide problems in the 355 didn't immediately say, "Well, clearly this is a problem caused by the guides being bronze instead of steel!" ;-D

And of course, this being the Internet, I expect to run into folks who get their jollys talking down to people to display their superiority, but I also knew I'd run into nice people who would make kind, positive suggestions in an effort to help. Thanks!

 

Based on the information that you have given us so far, my conclusion is that you have a bad muffler bearing. Garbage in, garbage out. Simply that.
When you get your ducks lined up, do give us another try.

 

You clearly don't get it. It has nothing to do with ego and yes I can tell it was your idea. It has to do with reliable information and not running up your bill on wild goose chasing. But hey if you want to spend a bunch on a simple fix, by all means go on ahead you are on the correct course.

And by the way, on the valve guides, those of us that were there said exactly that. It was Ferrari still flogging those crap guides, the rest of us knew better long before the 355 ever got built. They were crap in the 250s and time didn't make them any better. It is all those nameless, faceless self appointed experts on the internet that created all the confusion.

 

Thanks for the muffler bearing suggestion. I will pass it along, and relay any further, more detailed information I receive which may help others in their understanding and/or diagnosis of this issue. And of course, once it is fixed, which will hopefully be sooner versus later, I'll post whatever the resolution turns out to be, so that it may help any future non-expert like me if faced with a similar situation.

 

please post the diagnosis computer code as well for continuity. best of luck..

 

Misfire Fuel 302
Compression test-->PSI 65% on cylinder two...Rest of passenger cylinder bank ~175%
Running leak down test today

 

Now you're getting somewhere. Lets just hope that it has something to do with the valve train instead of the cylinder rings.

 

Update: Leakdown test confirms initial suspicious, valve or valve-glide problem. Mechanic has seen this often from 355/360s, but this is first time he's seen it in 430, going "right through intake", not indicating any manifold issues.
Haven't felt this bad since I had to get my Mondial T-cab towed from an auto detailer and subsquently found out the shifting rod had been sheared. And to think, I was just starting to feel comfortable with this car's status as truly "reliable"...Just a (not so) gentle reminder that there is a price to be paid for not saying your "fun car" is an Accord ;-D. Oh well, no whining allowed, don't do the crime if you can't do the time!

 

I'd want that test done again. Valve guides don't just "Go" and when there is a valve guide issue 99% of the time it is exhaust.

When there is valve leakage it is quite commonly from debris that came off a plug in the process of removal landing on a valve face. Causes many false bad readings.

 

Listen to this post, he speaks the most sense on this thread.....