458 misfire

A few weeks ago, early in a drive i jumped on the throttle and the car felt a little flat and sounded a bit off. I didn't think much of it as it didn't do it again.

I recently had the car parked in my garage for about 3 weeks. Took it out tonight, and it was doing the same thing but much more frequently.

Motor feels a bit flat, sounds like a mild misfire. But i do not get any check engine lights. I can't imagine any ignition related problems not causing a cel. I'm wondering if it's an exhaust valve not opening properly.

Any one have this happen before?

 

Battery was on the tender the whole time. Starts fine, idles fine.

Gas tank was 1/2 full, but gas should have been resonably fresh. However, we have gone from humid, high 80F to now in the cool and dry 50s since I drove it last. I suppose it's possible some condensation formed in the tank.

I drove it to work this morning, was still doing the same thing. I stopped and filled the tank up, and it seemed better by the end of the drive. I will know more after I drive it home.

Still no check engine light.

 

Well, sadly the problem has not gone away yet. Dealer can't get to the car for over 2 weeks. October is my favorite driving time of the c year here in Chicago. Seriously a little bummed.

Still no check engine light. The problem comes and goes.

Anyone know if the computer will store any faults yet not trip a service light? I'd feel more comfortable knowing a little more what the problem could be before the dealer starts digging into it.

 

That's what i was wondering. Dealer can't look at it (including plugging in code reader) for a while yet.

The engine is no where near a limp mode. I'd say it's down 10%. Under heavy load i can just feel it cutting in and out.

 

I've got one of $200 readers from autozone ive used in my Honda. I figured ferrari would have it's own reader.

 

I'm under the impression that any emissions related fault would immediately trip the engine light which hasn't happened yet in 50 miles.

 

Thanks for the reply. I wondered about that, but i figured If a plug was bad or fouled, that cylinder would be running rich and cause the o2 sensor on that bank to trip the engine light. It seems like it had to be something that is having no effect on the mixture.

 

Just an update -

I emptied the gas tank and put fresh gas in - no change.

Finally got an appointment with the local dealer. Took it in today and took the Ferrari tech for a ride. He agreed there is an issue.

He's not sure what it is - he mentioned there were some injector issues with some early years. He says Ferrari will probably have to be involved, which can be a slow process.

I'm waiting for a call back after he plugs into and looks for codes. Still no engine light.

I'm hoping it's a spark plug, but even then he will have to go the direction Ferrari tells him - which might take over a week. Bummer - best driving time of the year in Chicago and I was looking forward to it all season.

 

Well I guess I have the Ferrari techs a bit puzzled. Dealer has had the car for a week now, and has been working back and forth with Ferrari directly trying to identify the cause. There was one old stored misfire code, but once cleared will not come back and does not seem to have a direct relation to the problem.

So far no one has a clue as to the problem. Second dealer tech took the car for a drive and agreed something is not quite right, although he was shocked I could even tell. It took him a while to notice the problem.

So much for it being an easy fix....

 

Well, more weeks have passed and still no fix.

Dealer has submitted exhaust gas results to ferrari. Ferrari responded and asked the dealer to update the engine software. Having a 2011, i said no as i don't want to loose the overrun pops that the older cars had. Ferrari won't do anymore diagnostics until the software is updated.

I'm not happy. Something failed, and they think they can fix it with a software update. They are going to update, then still have to fix the problem. Not cool.

I asked for information on how a software update is going to fix the problem, and i get no information other then it's the next step that had to be done. Very frustrating.