F360: Air-filter covers NOT properly seated can trigger CEL?

The fact that your air filters weren't installed properly says a lot about the quality of your "major service"; i.e. perhaps it was not very good. Who knows why you have the CEL light? I suspect not many of us have experience driving with one air filter installed incorrectly and I can't say if that would cause a CEL light. It could be caused by many things, but if you're like me, you hate to pay someone a lot of money and then have your car returned with problems. You at least should try to find out why.

Refitting the air filter is simple. I assume you can do that yourself, right?

I would immediately contact the shop, tell them circumstances, emphasize how disappointed you are with their sloppy workmanship, and schedule a FREE session to have them read any fault codes. Put a little pressure on them while you're at it, express your disappointment, and ask them what they're prepared to do in order to keep you as a customer (perhaps they'll agree to free labor on your next oil change, or something like that). Of course, depending on where you live, that may be something of a hollow threat. Be polite and don't lose your temper, but make sure you stand up for your rights as a paying customer.

 

The air filter boxes are located before the MAF sensors.

This means, the total volume of air entering the engine, is still all being read by the MAF sensors, so no CEL would occur from this. You could take the boxes right out, and there would still be no CEL as long as the MAF sensors are still hooked up to the throttle bodies.

 

Why not find out what the CEL is? If you get any OBD2 scanner and plug it in, it will give you the code. That will help tell us why it came on. See if you can find a scanner or someone who has one.

As above, the loose air box should not give a code. Extra air being sucked into the engine by a loose fitting ahead of the MAFs just might.. Could be the simple vacuum leak. If that is what it is, there is no excuse.. none in my eyes.. that a hissing vacuum leak can't be diagnosed and fixed by a competent mechanic. Heck a monkey can do that.

Not impressed with the sounds of that service..

 

Here is a picture of my engine compartment. My car is a euro model.

I see one plastic "T" connecting two lines from each cylinder head, with one to the air oil separator.. is yours like this?
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Sorry.. this one? or two?
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Psaltis auto parts might be able to help..

 

Are you still hearing that sucking sound?

If you're worried about air being sucked into that T-fitting, you can put some plastic zip ties around where the hose fits onto the T-fitting to make it fit tighter. It can be hard to diagnose over the internet. If you hear the sucking sound, then its possible there is air being sucked into the engine somewhere. Finding where this is sadly requires listening and wiggling and even spraying with carburetor cleaner in the area to diagnose any loose connections.

This is a diagram of all the parts in that location:
Ferrari 360 Modena Parts : Table 21 - LUBRICATION SYSTEM AND BLOW-BY SYSTEM

 

Sorry to George. Please let us know how things workout... and ask the technician what the codes were then let us know. We can sniff out the BS.

 

George, are you absolutely sure you have no alternative shop to service your car? The obvious problems they overlooked is scary. Not impressed AT ALL. The assistance you get here from guys like Curt will certainly help, but the service you are receiving is very shoddy. Continue your search and best wishes to you.

Don

 

I would recommend swapping your plastic T fittings for brass ones. Plastic tends to crack due to age, heat, etc.

 

It's possible that a loose air box cover allows more hot air from the cat and muffler rather than air outside of the engine compartment. The hot air will throw off the IAT sensor on the MAFs causing the ECUs to lean out the AF mixture ratio. Can't really tell unless you get the code(s).