Tod Sorry about your woe. FYI, Continental has to use Ferrari approved parts. The Baldwin has a standpipe as others have shown but is not approved for the Ferrari application. This is not to say it does not work. There's a reason Continental takes the stance they do. To stay with the example, oil filters do give way (remember Chris Ruud's unfortunate experience at Gingerman?) If you or I had done the same thing and nailed a set of engine bearings we'd be screaming "liability". If you or I provide them with a non-standard part, like a Baldwin oil filter, and they fit for us, it explodes it's you and me that has the $10,000+ engine bill... By the way, I still have a Baldwin on the shelf wrapped in cellophane. Anyone is welcome to come by and have it for free. I bought three. One leaked oil everywhere. Cleaned it up. Changed the filter, making sure everything was seated and lubed in assembly. Same thing. Took it off and put on a UFI. No issues since.
Interesting. My car is leaking oil right now and I'll have to bring it to the shop now. I do have a Baldwin on it. I wonder whether that's the cause. OTOH I had a Baldwin on it the year before and it was fine. Hmm.
Ok, thanks for everyones input, guess a UFI filter should be fine, even though i have a case of baldwin filters. I guess when i change the oil, i will use one of my baldwin filters and just be cautious with it and monitor it regularly for leaks... Well, i guess Continental found a A/C clutch now, they should get it in the morning, lets hope... I miss my car, i want to drive it!!! Now that the rain is moving in for the weekend. HAH!
I got my baby back. Turns out the Baldwin was innocent. I have some other seals that are leaking just a bit due to age. Some oil drips also caused all the smoke, that alarmed me (just happened to come from the area of the water pump). So once the belts are due, we'll fix all in one big scoop. Good luck with your car Tod! PS: As I was at the shop, I noticed all the familiar eternal projects sitting around. Compared to these cars (and owners) we're doing pretty good. So far mine is more often in my garage than the shop and not vice versa...
Well, is this what it's about to own a Ferrari.... It's been almost 3 weeks now and i still don't have my car..... I was hoping to have it for this weekend, but NO GO..... This is really starting to effect me..... By the time i get it, it will be winter and time to put it away... No wonder Ferrari's ussually have low miles on them, they are always sitting on a lift... Maybe i'll get it before the 4th?????? Who knows, nobody does.... This really SUCKS....
Yes..... They are trying to locate parts, everytime they think they have it, they find another part that needs to be replaced, then they have to try and locate it.... They said this way will save me lots of $$$ rather than using Ferrari supplied parts, but i think they are going to make it up through the labor rate and time.... I am just getting frustrated, this A/C better be 1000% awesome when i finally get this car back, i want to see ice cubes comming out of the vents when it's 100 degrees outside!!!
When I had my A/C checked just a couple of weeks ago the output measured lower temps than on a modern day Honda. But that's still not good enough: With the sun coming through the window and the engine behind your back you'll always be warm in these things.
i bought a 85 308. the a/c needs charging but after reading todd's pain and agony i am going to leave my fine running car alone and learn to heal/toe the car with 1 foot in a bucket of ice!!
Tod, Did an F-Chat Consultant contact you on your situation ? Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't this be a thread that a Consultant would address ? I had a chance to talk to the Continental Parts Manager (Randy) about your A/C issue on Sunday. The A/C clutch is the main holdup. The Borrelli A/C clutch is now nearly made of unobtainium and the guys at Continental have been scrambling attempting to locate individual components for the clutch which are not normally purchased separately. This can take time, since the clutch used by Ferrari has a very special design due to the 11mm Polyflex pulleys. To my knowledge, it's not a shared part with any other marque. The A/C system shouldn't have keep you from using the car. The compressor, clutch, & belt could have been removed, with hoses plugged & secured, you could have driven the car (with no A/C of course) then brought it back in when all the parts arrived unless your having other work done. Dave
Ok, i think my car is complete.... I will be picking it up today.... Yea, i know they spent a lot of time searching for parts for the A/C, i just hope this thing doesn't go out again... I did ask them if i could drive it while parts were on order, i think they had my car all dissasembled, and for them to re-assemble and then dissasemble it again would have added to the $$$.... Lets hope all is well now with my car, i just want to drive it and enjoy it....
congrats, everybody on fchat should say 3 hail mary's for you wishing you good luck. i think you could make a screen play out of this sad saga.
*** This is my opinion only *** There have been some questionable experiences with Continential in the past - I personally have had one - screw driver left in my air intake and a crimped vacuum tube after the 15K service. IMO only - there are a few good independents in Chicago Land - that will save you time, do the job right and save you money all at once.
My experiences couldn't have been more different. They've worked on 4 of my cars and I NEVER had a less than excellent experience. In addition, Scott has assisted me via phone, taking valuable time out of his day, to answer questions regarding service at other dealerships.
the verdict is in.... my non functioning A/C shall remain that way! Not worth the hassle, as Tod can attest. If its hot, take the top off and drive faster!
No. I am totally serious. It Blows out TOO Damn cold,and I can only run it for a little while at a time. Turn it Off. Turn it Back On... Too bad it is "Old Technology" and doesn't have a Thermostat to turn it On and Off like a couple of my Corvettes had...
Well...... That (&^!#*(&^!#^ A/C lasted all of about 10 miles.... I had billowing smoke comming from the engine, then the A/C went from cold to warm... I noticed oil reidue all over the back of my car and on the rear window... Needless to say i am not to happy, so i will bite my tongue and not say anything right not till i cool down.. I also won't tell how much this three week service cost either.... Tomorrow morning Gary will be getting a phone call from me, i hope i cool down by then.... I am going to bed now.....
Sorry Tod, I had a feeling all wouldn't go well. Sounds like an o-ring might have blown. Of course, the A/C should have been tested for a good amount of time, before you received the car. I hope you didn't pay more than $500. That's about the max. I would think it would/should cost.
Well, The new compressor that they put into my car blew a gasket. Well, i got about 20 minutes out of it blowing ICE cold air.... Right now they are trying to get another compressor and hopefully they will have me my car by late today or tomorrow... $500 ???? Are you kidding ?????? HAH!! I WISH !!!!! That wouldn't even cover the cost of the A/C clutch they replaced, PART COST.... For everything i have spent on this car, i could have gone to Italy and gone through Mechanics training to be certified to repair these cars for cheaper....
Tod, The new replacement York compressor apparently had a defective shaft seal and failed. This can happen with any new product. I'm sure you have experienced making a new purchase and having it fail soon after using it. It's frustrating, but a fact of modern life. None the less, on the bright side if it's going to fail, it's best to have it fail during the warranty period. I'm sure Continental is doing everything they can to correct the issue in the shortest period of time and will make things right. You should be in the drivers seat very soon. Dave
Your very right Dave... But yes, it's very frustrating, even more so on what things cost in the Ferrari world. I am real curious on what Ferrari's quality control is?? I do know, working for a company that supplies the big three, that Quality is the main issue, from QS-9000 to ISO-9000 to TS2 and 6-sigma quality... Gary at Continental was very accomodating, he even gave me a loaner car... Hoping i should be back in mine tomorrow (Thursday)....
