Teething troubles... | FerrariChat

Teething troubles...

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Dan_London, Mar 17, 2004.

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  1. Dan_London

    Dan_London Karting

    Mar 2, 2004
    90
    Sussex, UK
    Full Name:
    Dan
    Picked up my first F-car yesterday - a 97' 456GT :D

    2-hour drive home was fantastic in many ways - the smell of the leather, the glorious wail of the engine, the unbelievable power, but it also revealed the climate control to be hit and miss (mostly miss) and the clutch to be very very heavy. Also there's an odd braking noise.

    Basically the CC either blows hot or cold, with little inbetween the extremes and even with both dials on AUTO it didn't get close to maintaining a constant cabin temperature. Is this normal?

    It's going back to the supplying dealers (an independent Beemer rather than an F-car specialist) to be looked at tomorrow - does anyone have any input? My guess is the interior thermostat is shot but it could be that I'm expecting too much of the system. Anyone?

    The clutch is super-heavy, but maybe it's supposed to be? I know F-cars have a reputation for this. There's no judder and a good range for the take-up so I'm uncertain it needs replacement; maybe the bones in my left foot (which felt pretty sore by the time I'd driven 90 mins through crawling London rush hour traffic) just need to get used to it. What do you guys think? It's so heavy I was taking it out of gear at each stop rather than keeping my foot down. The car's done 32K miles on the original clutch.

    Also, there's a very faint grating or possibly hissing noise coming from the backend on braking at slow speeds. It doesn't sound serious, maybe just the noise of the pads on the disks but then again I've no experience of Ferraris.

    Cheers,
    Dan
     
  2. Dan_London

    Dan_London Karting

    Mar 2, 2004
    90
    Sussex, UK
    Full Name:
    Dan
    Here are some pics...
     
  3. murph7355

    murph7355 Formula 3

    Nov 30, 2002
    1,691
    SE England Yorkie
    Full Name:
    Andy
    Lovely car Dan.

    The A/C on my 355 started doing this so went back to the dealer (the "Off" button had also failed though, so it may not be the same mode of failure as yours). Needed a new A/C control unit in the end. Might be the same problem, might not be, but I'd get it looked at and register the problem ASAP. Do you have a warranty with the car? If so, it should be covered, but better to get the supplying dealer to sort it.

    I don't think the climate control in these cars is ever going to be up to the standards of the very best on the market, even when working :) It may just be my genes, but I seem to need the temp dial between two settings, so find myself flicking the dial every now and then.

    I have a 355 and the clutch is heavier than "normal" cars, but I love the weight. My leg very quickly became used to this, to the point that I often think I'm going to push my foot through the bulkhead of my g/f's Peugeot when I jump in that! Others who have driven the car have noted how heavy the pedals feel. A 456 owner will confirm, but I suspect this is normal.
     
  4. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

    Nice car !!! I love the 456 in silver or yellow.

    Don't know about the AC, but the braking sound may be a common occurance with the humid English climate and a rarely driven car. It happens to everything that sits on our lot as well and everywhere else you get certain kinds of weather and cars that are not used a lot. No big deal if that's the problem. What you may be hearing is the mild scraping of surface corrosion on the brake rotors which can be removed by a few progressively harder applications from speed....or maybe your calipers are seized from lack of use.....or their is a small rock stuck inside somewhere.

    Congrats on buying one of the most beautiful GT's available.
     
  5. tifosi69

    tifosi69 Formula 3

    Dec 23, 2003
    1,678
    Atlanta, Ga.
    Full Name:
    Al-Al Cool J
    Love that interior, simply gorgeous!
     

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