crack in exaust manifold

Unless your dealer's welder shows you his certs that he is qualified to weld on nuclear reactors - I'd sure not pay $1000 for a weld job.

Heck, even if he was - I'd offer $200/hr plus materials and come out ahead on the deal.

 

Are they going to remove the manifold to weld it Jim? Or are they going to weld in it place?

They *may* crack again in the future, you just dont know.

 

Absolutely that should be covered under the extended emissions warranty - with cracked headers you're spewing untreated exhaust to atmosphere. I'm pretty sure Ferrari covered those on the 355...

 

It is my understanding that US Federal Law mandates an 8yr, 80k mile warranty on emissions equipment, so I would expect that Ferrari is forced to replace or repair these at their own expense. I recommend you check with your state's DMV . The following link to a PA summary gives a lot of background. Headers are included in the list. www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us/drivecleanpa/news/warr_1995.htm

I didn't notice specific mention of aftermarket exhaust in your case though you made specific mention of the cat converter. Is that why the dealer is offering to fix them at your expense?



Lou

 

My '99 owners guide and emmissions guide state that exhaust manifold is covered under the 8yr warranty. I have heard that this warranty was taken out of later model 360 warranty cards. Call FNA direct and speak with them about the issue.


Robert

 

Sorry guys. Federal law mandates 8 year coverage for the following: cats, ecu's and obd's. Everything else has a 2 year requirement. State laws could vary.

Dave

 

Ok, I see where the majority of the $1000 is now.

Labour to remove and replace the manifold.

 

Not too worry about the repair part of the manifold, as I can can TIG it muself. But what's the best method to test it? I imagine it would be hard to determine if there is a crack since it a all wrapped in stainless steel. Using a smoke generator?

 

I would replace the complete manifold with an aftermarket (Capristo is a good choice) as if in the event that factory warranty will not cover, you wll realize better performance for the investment vs. factory.

 

It is also happening with 430's.
Complete engine had to be replaced here
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=138295446&postcount=4

 

In California its 8 years. My 430 is about to go out of warranty so I checked after reading about the other 430 header going out.

My local smog man told me it is 8 years, he was not sure of other states though.

 

I had the same issue with my 360. Dealer told me that it was not covered and the repair was to weld it.

However, I later contacted the FNA warranty dept and they said that if the manifold needed to be replaced it would have been covered for up to 8 years. Repairs by welding are not covered. This really sounded like BS to me.

But how do you handle this? Since I am not an attorney, I don't know what is the right solution. In the future, do you tell the dealer to replace the cracked manifold so the warranty will pay for it? They will argue that it is not justified to replace it since it can be welded. Why isn't that covered too?

 

Jim,
I just purchased an 03 360
Ive been reading through the service records and it shows both LH and RH manifolds have ben replaced due to cracking.

 

Friggin **** boxes!! these manifolds are an issue from the 355 on up. Why they heck can't they make a manifold last?? I sent off a set of 360 manifolds to a friend of mine who fabricates and manufactures parts for the aircraft industry, to have a look at why the things fail so often. He called me up and asked if it was made in a back yard!! The quality of the material and process they use to make these manifolds is absolute crap. Back in the 1800's it may have been acceptable, but now that manifold wouldn't even pass as a good door stop. Junk them and buy a good set from the posted companies and send Ferrari the bill.

I am getting very discouraged by Ferrari's complete lack of quality control. They have become a company that build over priced cars for hair dressers and are counting on the cars to only out last the warrenty.

 

This problem is seeming like a common issue on Maranello's machines. My ex355 did had it, luckily, my local repair shop could fixed it by welding with argon and then wraping with kinda racing tape.

 

It seems that we keep reading about manifold failures in 355's, 360's and now 430's.
When I spoke with the dealer about this a few years ago their position was that the exhaust manifold were a 'consumeable' part.......but at 10g per set?
I have not heard of any other street car regularly going through manifolds
Its too bad there is no class action law suit to address this issue once and for all.

 

I had the same issue a few weeks ago....
If you need advice PM me and i will give you full detail....

Have they looked inside with a camera yet to check the exact spot of the crack?
Is there any fiberglass pieces anywhere in the engine bay?

I have a very good friend of mine that could weld it for $600....
Its a very long process and very time consuming.... and one really has to know what they are doing...

Let me know if you need more info on my welder friend...

Kourosh

 

+1 no excuse. Its hard to put 'quality' and 'Ferrari' in the same sentence and the meaning of it = "good". If other manufacturers can make them last, so can Ferrari. I would NOT get this welded without going to FNA and exhausting all avenues of remedy that are of NO cost to you. Good luck with this repair and situation.

 

This is crazy. I did a WCD driving event in May. While I driving the 430, the manifold CRACKED! The interior filled with fumes and I couldn't breathe. The car from the outside, sounded like a an VW bus.

 

Were you able to breathe?

 

No, eyes teared up and it got bad.