[4i2fly]

I am interested to find out if anyone checking into this forum know or has firsthand information regarding the CAM Variator update for the 360Modena. I am not sure when they have introduced the new part, but apparantly some of the old ones have problem staying together in other words they break w/o notice, and cause major damage to the engine. Does anyone who owns or knows someone who own a 360 experienced this problem?

Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

 

[Stradale]

What is a CAM Variator ? Out of the US we may call it differently. If I know what it is then I can ask our Service manager.[/quote]

 

[4i2fly]

Someone called it CAM actuater, but the name is CAM Variator. It's like any other name (crank, piston, connecting rod,...) there isn't another name for it in English. I think it bolts on to the CAM and is responsible for varying the CAM timing (i.e. advance or retard).

Cheers,

 

[Stradale]

I'll ask for you.

 

[Stradale]

412fly, my workshop supervisor said the first batch 360 models have this problem but not the latter ones. There's one right now in the workshop that has this very problem. It's being repaired and he will show it to me tomorrow.

 

[4i2fly]

Thanks for the information. Could you ask if the car is under warranty and if not how it is being handled by Ferrari (who is responsible for the repairs)?

Cheers,

 

[billnsheila]

Cam variator details

We just had the variators and belt tensioners changed on our 2001 Spider. The issue with the cam variator is that it's responsible for the relationship ("timing") between the cams and the piston. Variators that aren't working properly can leave the valves open too long - so long that the piston comes up and hits the valves before the cam moves them out of the way. Bent valves = bad day.

When they went in to replace the variators, we found that one of the cam belt tensioners was broken. It had cracked and caught itself at a weird angle with the piston at full stroke. Thankfully there was just enough tension on the belt to keep it from eating itself.

Both of the cam belts looked great, by the way, they were original with about 8,500 miles on them and were just under 4 years old.