Variators Failure Diagnostic

I think the variators on my 2010 California are starting to fail, but wanted to see if anyone knew the diagnostic procedures to verify before I drop the engine and replace them. I have about 62K miles on the car and have been getting the following DTC code intermittently where they will turn on the CEL and then it will go off on its own randomly.

P0021 Intake variable value timing control bank 2 (ENWS 2)
P1549 High pressure error - bank 2 (STHDR)
P0014 Exhaust variable value timing control - bank 1

The idle has also been a bit erratic, sometimes the car will have an idle around 600rpms but there will be vibrations and then it will rise the idle to around 900rpms and the vibration will go away.

I have tried replacing the variator solenoids and doing an oil change, but it doesn't seem to have any impact

 

It does sound similar. It would be interesting to see what codes they pulled.

I am able to clear the fault code but it will come back, but there is no pattern to when it comes back. It will also clear itself without a pattern but later come back again. Which leads me to believe that maybe the variators maybe starting to fail and get stuck/slower to respond. They seem like a very basic design a screw interface that moves due to oil pressure applied via the solenoids. But a little bit of varnish or oil contamination could get the screw interface to react slower then the car expects. Besides the slightly higher idle there doesn't seem to be any impact to the performance.

Unfortunately there is a cross member that is welded in between the engine and battery that prevents a lot of access. On the Maserati's this brace unbolts and allows a lot more access. Luckily dropping the engine doesn't seem to big of chore since I have a lift and can properly remove it with the subframe from the bottom of the car.

I was able remove the valve covers and replace the solenoids with the engine in place. It was a tight fit getting the covers out and back in with out the gasket falling off.

I am using TEXA Supercar diagnostic tool to read the fault codes. I can also read and graph all sensor data, but with out base lines to compare it to I am not sure if the reading are normal or not. I have tried to get a 1 day subscription to the Ferrari technical data which should have diagnostic steps for DTCs but I haven't been able to get a log-in to register and no one response to their contact us.

 

I haven't noticed any knocking or rattle on startup, but it can be hard to hear with how the engine roars on startup
Mine has similar issues on start up sometimes.

How many miles are on your car?

 

defiantly not knocking , just injector noise.

I don't think it is a static timing issue. Generally the engine wouldn't run well if the static timing was off, and I would expect both cams on a bank to show an issue since they are driven by the same chain, and likely a crank sensor DTC since the ECU would be getting conflicting data from the crank and the cam sensors. Also the problem couldn't be intermittent. The only way for the static timing to start going off is if the tension fails which would also cause chain slap that you could hear, or chain stretching which would be very unusually for this many miles which I think the engine would nee to come out to check anyways.

 

Hopefully it's just the solenoids on your car. I already replaced mine.

I wonder how they think the timing could possibly be barely off. What could cause that and not destroy the engine.

I have ordered new variators and currently planning on droping the engine sometime in July.

 

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully they can turn that around quickly.

I am in the process of taking the engine out of mine. Taking a bit longer than i would like with kids being home for summer and traveling.

My motor mounts look fine but I will be taking a look at carbon build up.

I am hoping to figure out what causes our variators to fail. I plan on trying to take them a part and also I have access to a CT scanner and will scan them.

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Got the engine out today ! Now I just need to find the time to tear it down replace the parts and get it back in. But getting the engine out was the 1st step.


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Currently waiting for a new impact gun to show up to get the crank pulley off.

I also 3d printed a tool to help with intke valve carbon clean.

Also found out my driver side exhaust header was cracked and waiting for my neighbor to weld it for my.

 

I will be blasting with walnuts. Printed a tool similar to this one for VW's to make less of a mess. It fits perfectly into the intake port instead of a generic tool that leaves gaps. Image Unavailable, Please Login

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Here is a before and after on one of the ports. All the other were similar Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

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Yes, the engine is back in the car. Drove it for about a week and then had a set back with some of the exhust nuts backing off and destroyed the passanger side gasket between the header and cat.

Just finished replacing that yesterday and it seems to be driving well again.

Once I get a chance I will post some tips on how to change them. Overall the workshop manual does a really good job walking through it.

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