Learning to work on the F430 myself

I was curious how hard an endeavor this would be for me. I have basically zero mechanical experience, and while I have learned a lot in the process of finally purchasing the car I'm still relatively a newbie with anything mechanical. I'd love to learn to DIY anything I practically can, mostly because I do have a desire to become well versed in such things and also why not save a few bucks in the process.

Is it realistic though? I don't want to really injure myself, or damage the car. What would I need to get started? Some sort of lift and some tools? Pardon the ignorance, but it is something I've always wanted to get "good" at and with youtube videos and places like this forum I think it's possible. But if it is not very practical, then maybe it's better to just leave it to the professionals.

 

It's straight-forward; you'll be fine. All nuts and bolts at the end of the day. Make sure to buy a Ferrari workshop manual and follow the procedures. Just take your time.

 

Yes, definitely get the workshop manual, a quality torque wrench and the proper tools. If you have ANY doubts on something you're working on, post it up here for some extra eyes or suggestions. Better yet, find a local on the board you can make friends with that might be good with a wrench in case you need help.

My recommendation would be to start servicing your other vehicles on your own to get some experience.

 

As far as starter tools, you should get a Quick Jack to lift her off the ground. Get a torque wrench that reads to at least 100nm and a metric socket set. You'll also need a diagnosis tool like a Launch or Thinkdiag. Thinkdiags are cheap and work off your phone...buy on Amazon. Of course there are many more tools you'll run into needing, but you can always buy them as the need arises. I replaced my entire clutch set up over the winter and saved enough $$ to take my family on a cruise with a gorgeous suite on the ship's stern...so yes, you save huge money doing work yourself.

 

Given you have no prior mechanical skills I wouldn't jump on to the ferrari first - not because it is harder just if you make mistakes, and you will, they are not that cheap to fix. Accidentally breaking small parts, stripping screws/ bolts, cracking undertrays etc all will cost alot more than a normal daily driver. My suggestion is to work with a buddy who already works on cars on the weekend etc and give him a hand. Then start working on some other less expensive cars you may own. Start with oil changes, battery replacement, coolant flushes, brakes and go from there.
Do you have other cars in your garage ? Do you have neighbors/friends that work on thier cars ?
You may or may not be cut out for the mechanical experience of fixing a car - i would rather see you find out on a mini van versus Ferrari
The buddy/ mentor system is the way to go
I will be more than happy to discuss on phone with you - Just drop me a PM

 

The mid-engined V-8 Ferraris are generally easier to work on than some of the German cars I've daily driven (Audi / BMW / VW).

Plenty of space in the engine bay and relatively straightforward designs. I have been wrenching on my own cars for 15 years though, so it's all relative. The advent of Youtube has made working on cars much easier as there is a good chance someone has done what you are trying to do and has recorded it.

Start small with minor/easy services like brakes, fluid changes, etc. In truth, none of it is very difficult - the rates main dealers charge for parts and labor are ridiculous.

 

Good points flash!

 

Thanks all for the quick replies. To address some of the points you brought up: my other two cars are Teslas so it wouldn't be too helpful to be honest to work on those since they are not the same. I may take you up on your offer flash to discuss some things before getting started.

I don't want to do anything major. Some small stuff, for example changing fluids or adjusting my shifting cables. My "major" project I have slated next is to see if I can connect the cables to the battery behind the driver's seat to avoid buying the adapter plug for the battery tender, so that's my starting point. But as I get more comfortable with things I think I can pick it up.

Would something like the Quick Jack be enough to get under the car and take off the undertray, etc.? Doesn't seem so at first glance but I could be wrong.

 

An old client of mine with similar experience was encouraged by his other car friends to do the basic servicing on his TR512. He did an oil change and noticed it was having some oil pressure fluctuations. Before he had a chance to investigate it rolled to a stop one day. The repair shop he towed it to showed him the hole in the block the broken connecting rod made. Now he is in search of an engine.

Its an expensive and not particularly forgiving car to learn on. My basic rule is if you are qualified you do not need to ask us.

 

There are quite a few how-to threads in the technical section at the top

 

I was in a somewhat similar situation to you, although I have worked on my car's over the years, so not zero, but I'd say basic stuff.

For me, the mechanical stuff, like you say, with all the help and information available, gets you really far.

What is your personality? Are you patient and careful, at least can you be when working on the car? I found this to be very important, can't rush.

Do you have the time to work on it? It does take time depending on what you plan to do.

As for setup, I did get a heavy duty quickjack, I find it to be a must, clearance really helps. I also got a Topside Creeper which is really helpful when working on the engine. Bottom line, the better equipped, the better your experience will be.

Even with the purchase of the quickjacks and Topside Creeper and all the specialty items, I'd say I'm still way ahead of what I would have had to spend having someone else do the work.

To answer your specific question about the undertray, it's a bit of a PITA quickjacks or no but with them, clearance is more than enough. My latest approach is to use the QuickJacks combined with wheel dollies, makes removing the undertray not too bad.

I had pretty good tools, but my 'specialty' tools etc (mostly got for this car) has increased dramatically.

Do you have the space to work on it? I have a 2 car garage, but I like having open area around the car when I work on it, so had to get a shed and clean out my garage.

I'd say you have to want it, or I could see regretting it. You kinda get in deeper and deeper, take on more challenging things, but the reward increases as you go as well. Accomplishing the work, always makes you feel good when you're done, but even moreso, you really get to know the car.

In short, if none if this sounds off-putting or troublesome, I'd say you're ready.

 

If you have no prior mechanical experience I would not recommend working on your 430. You can do a lot of damage by making some silly mistakes.
Do you have a neighbor or friend that can walk you through the tasks and look over your shoulder when you do it the first time. Everything is very easy to do, but you need to know what you’re doing.

I don’t use a Quickjack. I use a floor jack and put blocks under the tires. The Quickjack would just get in my way when I need to get under the car.


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Just curious, how much under car clearance do you get doing it this way?

 

Always note where things go so when you are putting things back you'll know.
One of my general practices as I work on my cars is taking pictures of something so I know how it looked before I start taking it apart.
As others have said take your time and allow for the unexpected.
With YouTube DIY has become a lot easier than when I was a teenager learning to drop the engine on my 67 VW bug.

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So the eventual engine failure was due to him not doing an oil change properly?

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It depends on how tall the blocks are under the wheels. It’s gotta be 12” high. I can slide under the car easily to reach the oil drain plug and filter. I also changed the accessory belt easily.


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If you have the car on a Quickjack, the bottom cover isn’t coming off/out easily. If the wheels are on blocks nothing is in the way.

A Quick jack would be awesome for bleeding/flushing brake fluid though.


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I can pull my belly panel easily with the car on the ground. Have to, since it can’t be done once in the quick jack.

I too am interested in more of the 512 story. Engine just blew? No pool of oil in the garage or other symptoms? You borderline have to try to screw up an oil change, so I’m not being a wise guy, I’m genuinely curious.

 

Correct.

 

The Quickjacks get in the way of the nuts and panel at the sides in the middle.

I remove those screws first
Raise it on the quickjacks
Remove all the other screws
Lower it onto wheel dollies, slide one of the quickjacks out of the way
Pull the panel out, put the quickjack back
Raise it back up

If you have quickjacks, this is the best way I've found to do it.

goes pretty smoothly after having done it a couple times.

 

Not sure how.high the quickjacks bring the wheels.up ..but for.me mid rise lift and then lower on four ramps (cheap Walmart version) .. you can buy expensive race ramps wheel stands

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Rob, go for it but be careful and check 3 times before you do anything. Read what @Rifledriver has posted above. You mentioned fluid changes which sounds easy. How about if you just check the engine oil level and top it up if low? Sounds even easier. But.... Ferrari engines require oil level checking with engine running. Most "normal" cars require engine not running. So if you check engine oil level with engine not running and it is too low, and you top it up and bring it too high, you can hydro lock the engine. Without too much technical details - you may see metal parts breaking through the side of the engine and coming out, which is not good. The engine is not even rebuildable, so a new/used engine needs to be installed. A simple topping off of engine oil level or incorrect oil change could be a $20,000 or more mistake. That's why Ferrari mechanics charge what they charge.

Those cars are not very complicated, but are a bit different from "normal" cars....

 

I think the smart decision may be for me to avoid going down this road for the time being, and maybe revisit it after a while when I know my car better (if at all). Thanks all, very much appreciate the feedback.

 

Enjoy the car

What you stated was originally my plan too BTW

 

It's difficult to answer because your judgment and ability needs to be assessed in person. I think a good way to test the waters would be to find a local DIY'er who'd be willing to do a small job with you. Some people would be fine with DIY, they just haven't been exposed to it, and for some it wouldn't be worth the time and frustration.