My car is a 2002 Ferrari 360 Modena that has a serial number above those that were affected by the defective variators. I have a reason to believe that sometimes my variators (one side or both) are stuck (they do not switch the exhaust cam the 20 degrees they are supposed to) There is no CEL light How can I tell if they are working properly When I am in the shop with the Leonardo Diagnostic I've seen my mechanic activate the variators even at idle Is there a chance that they can get stuck sometimes ?
in leonardo or sd2/3 , there's a parameter says 400 something, and it comes with a range, that'll tell you i guess
The problem I believe is that the variators are activated under load, so when the car is stationary at the shop there is no way to see if they get activated properly...
it's very difficult to replace them. removing the cam from the head is the easy part, separating the variator from the cam without damaging the cam is the hard part
I am no expert, but I believe if the variator isn't doing the 20 degree job, should that be the solenoid's problem? replacing the solenoid doesn't require removing the variator itself----hence the possibility of damaging the camshaft
I already replaced one solenoid based on my suggestion of my mechanic... He said it easier to do than replace the variator itself... If it doesn't work he said it's time for the variator... Symptoms : doesn't always pull as hard, sound weaker (no differentiation in sound on/off) , bad idle when coming to stop (it drops to 800 and 3 seconds later it increases to normal 1100) Like the variator(s) are stuck !!
i remember your issue now, its been doing this for a while, isn't it? again, i am no expert, but I think, the only fail mode of the variator is to break then damage the piston and rods? am I wrong?
