I need some Tifosi advice on this matter: While getting a routine oil leak fixed on my 2004 360 Spyder, the dealership found out that my catalytic converter and exhaust manifold were damaged and that I needed them replaced at 25,000 miles. These two items are still covered under the Ferrari 8 year/ 80K mile emissions warranty. Ferrari of North America will not cover the expense of replacing the catalytic converter and exhaust manifold because I put in an aftermarket exhaust (cat back Capristo) 800 miles prior to the damage being found. The wild card is that I have had a "check engine" light that has not been fixed/addressed by the dealership ever since I took my car in for the first service at 7,000 miles. I had asked them repeatedly to fix this problem and they never did so. The code for the check engine light is a solenoid valve issue that is affecting the fuel content in the cylinders. My question is as follows: Any advice on how to proceed with FNA and the local dealership??? It is obvious to me that the damage to the catalytic converter was most probably done in the first 24,000 miles the car was driven and not the last 800 miles after the Capristo cat back exhaust was installed. Any legal eagles out there?? Help a brother out..... PLEASE!!!!
You are in a tough spot. They know the aftermarket exhaust probably caused no damage but this is their way out of honoring the warranty. Ferrari are extremely strict regarding NO CHANGES to their cars in any way. Even the salesmen say the same thing. Worst case is you will be going with full aftermarket exhaust. Strange that they did not diagnose and fix the CEL. You have that on your side. I wish I could help you more. Good luck.
Bad spot.... If there was a problem that was dumping too much fuel in the engine then this could have caused the damage to the cats. If this problem was only present after the factory warranty ran out you could possibly be responsible for both the fuel issue and the cat issue... however if the dealer did not correct this in time by not properly diagnosing the problem you should only be on for the fuel issue and they should pay for the cats as there incompetence allowed the fuel issue to go on to the point it damaged your cats. Another point is cat back exhausts will not cause damage to the cats. If Ferrari is standing by this to deny your Federal emissions warranty then I would lawyer up, many consumer laws protect you and your warranty. I would talk to the dealership and get all service records with CEL codes over the diagnosis period of this check engine light, if it the same code or related codes I would tell the dealership that it appears there negligence has caused the fuel problem to persist and has caused damage to your cats. Offer to pay for the fuel issue and tell them they should take care of the cats. If all the codes are related, and they will not replace your cats lawyer up. Get second opinions prior to doing all of this as well, let the other mechanic see all the records and codes as well.
