How many engine failures on the F430?

Everything you described is just regular on the 430. It just seems like the cat suffered from deferred maintenance. As for the guy racing and sudden engine failure, it was probably a failed manifold that was sucked into the engine. As you’ve already replaced them, I wouldn’t worry about it. The engines are very strong and reliable. I’ve done all you’ve described and more just in preventative maintenance. The 430 was the second gen (the 360 being the first) of the reasonably cheap to maintain and very reliable Ferraris.


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I have found out that con rod big ends are a failure mode on the F430 engine. The rods and bolts are not strong enough for the rod angle in the flat plane crank version of the 4.3 engine.

It is not a widespread issue like ball joints - it is more on the scale of engine damage from pre-cat ingestion.

I will have the rod bearings checked at the 40k mile service, and the bolts swapped for the Challenge version.

 

Generically speaking worn rod bearings are the result of poor servicing - specifically long oil change intervals, but that isn't the root cause here: its the actual components in the engine.

 

Good god man... drive it and stop reading the internet horror stories! If you read internet drivel don’t ever fly in a plane!

All those things you mentioned are common. As in they “will” break when, not if. Ferrari engines are relatively bulletproof. 64,000 miles on my 360 and the engine hasn’t imploded or died. How many miles on yours? The engines won’t die unless you rev it beyond its limits or are a complete idiot. Only issues I’ve read are the water pumps leaking

 

Two first hand (rods through the block), four in total UK, and there have been at least three on fchat. My Ferrari engine builder has further experiences and helped me to understand the root cause.

We will never hear of the real total because people don't want this type of failure in the public domain - a repaired engine affects resale. I wouldn't get unduly worried about it, though.

 

Being the panicky Ferrari owner that never drives their car because they're so worried that something expensive will break is even worse. Most of the time this happens is when people really can't afford the car. You're obviously not in this category. Drive it and if something breaks.. fix it. Simple. Enjoy it!

You have a supermodel in your bed and you're stuck in the bathroom with worry. That's sad.

 

That sounds like a sensible approach.

 

Research the common problems, then drive the car. You really can't control anything and that goes with life, not just cars...I freaked out about my variators, then I found a car whose engine blew because of the NEW variators, I was told by numerous mechanics not to worry about cracking engine mounts, then I found the beginnings of a crack, I'm going to have to fix the crack and most likely replace the variators on my next major. It's gonna suck for my bank account..temporarily. I've spent more time working on my car than driving it over the past year. Oh well, I enjoy it.

Maintain your car properly, fix it when it breaks and drive it. **** can and will happen, you will spend money, then life goes on...we as Ferrari owners are among the most blessed on earth, and a "catastrophic" failure is nowhere near in real life and the big picture. Thank God for your life then drive your ****ing car.

I'm sure that I am nowhere near as financially secure as some others on this site, and when I was researching I heard all the same things about ,"you cant afford this car if you are asking this question, blah blah..." I'm prepared if the slim chance of a major failure occurs but if things change in my life and I'm unable drive the car for awhile...what's the worst? I'm forced to drive my Corvette more? What a terrible life I live...

 

+1! When I had my F355, I regularly ran the engine to 8,000 or 8,500 rpm to hear that engine and Capristo exhaust scream! It was totally awesome, and I sold the car with 62k miles. I met more than one F355 owner over the years that told me they never ran the engine over 4,500 or 5,000 rpm...are you kidding me? You are missing the biggest thrill of owning a Ferrari. All so they can "save" it.....for who, the next guy?

There is a difference between "spirited" enjoyment and out right abuse and neglect.

 

Zed82 you are injecting humor without even realizing it and that some of us find very amusing. When I bought my F430, I was somewhat worried about parking it and not being able to keep an eye on it. I finally said to myself "If you are so worried, sell the car it isnt' for you" and that seemed to turn my attitude. The idea is that this car bring joy to your life, if it doesn't then sell it.

 

Leave the engine alone and have some belief in it or sell it. Assuming you are not racing the hell out of it, it will still be running when u r long gone.

 

That proves you worry way too much.

As for doing preventive conrod replacement. It makes zero sense. Every time someone opens up an engine and swap internal out just means more things can go wrong.

I do run Blackstone in every single one of my car. For race cars and track car, it is at least twice a year. You can buy Blackstone in bulk. A little cheaper and less paperwork.

You can’t even take Blackstone oil analysis too seriously. I have cars that had high copper or iron that I thought am engine rebuild is needed. But after a few more oil changes and analysis, the numbers magically fix itself. I am guessing it was probably oil additive from previous owner and took a few flush to get it all out.

 

your first post showed you have manifold done. Mine had a new OEM replacement (MK2) 3 years ago, it cracked again 3,000 miles / 10 months later, luckily it was replaced under the 1 year warranty. I drove straight from dealer to my mechanic, took off POS OEM and installed an aftermarket.

you also showed clutch changed. don't forget those are wear item. anything between 10,000 to 25,000 miles for clutch life.

as for giro disk kit (another wear item). just go with OEM Brembo, less than $500 for all 4. cheaper than a Toyota.

also for Blackstone, pattern is more important. if you "copper" percentage is increasing, etc. not initial numbers.

 

Why change the con rod bolts- if they are ok now they will be ok tomorrow. Con rod bolts only fail if they have permanent stretch in them. On industrial engines they test them by stretching them in a vice and checking the stretched length, then let them off and re stretch them. They then check the original length and if the length is the same then the bolt is useable

 

With your over the top anal/worry wart temperament, you will have a heart attack or stroke long before the Ferrari engine blows up. Sell it, get a Toyota and you will live a lot longer! Good grief, you buy a 430 and immediately want to pull the engine and change con rod bolts? Nah, you will not survive Ferrari ownership very long. I am teasing/yanking your chain a bit but you really need to lighten up a lot. Maybe I have just been lucky but in close to 20 years ownership of three Ferraris, I have never had even a minor problem with any of them. 77 308, 88 TR, 02 360. Regular fluids/belt service, tires, brake pads and little else. Do my own service. All rock solid and trouble free. The key to trouble-free Ferrari ownership based on my experience is drive them frequently, do not worship them, and welcome dings and paint chips as they are good luck.

 

Fatigue/overloading. Stretch bolts aren't suitable for re-use if they fail the test you describe above, but that doesn't protect against overloading in service.