Top Signs Your Ferrari Needs Professional Repair
The prancing horse of Maranello is one of the most iconic symbols in motorsport, and for many, the pinnacle of performance. Ferrari’s are still cars at their cores, and can still develop issues that can multiply if not dealt with promptly. Half the struggle of owning a Ferrari is knowing how to recognize signs that you need professional Ferrari repair, and what are the most common repairs you might need.
Warning Lights
With the introduction of OBD2 diagnostics ports, all modern Ferrari’s display a corresponding warning light the moment a sensor’s reading is outside of a predetermined range. An OBD2 scanner can dive deeper into the exact error being generated and is the main way mechanics diagnose your Ferrari.
The moment a light shows up on your dash, it is recommended that you compare it to your owner’s manual and determine what the cause is. It may be as minor as a flat tire or as serious as a misfiring engine. We recommend that the source of all warning lights be investigated and addressed before continuing your drive.
Exhaust Smoke
Some exhaust smoke is expected and normal, however thick plumes of smoke can be an early indicator of something more sinister going on. Thick blue smoke is usually a sign that oil is making its way into the combustion chamber and is being burnt off. This may be due to worn piston rings or a damaged gasket, but the only way to know for certain is to have a technician look into it.
White smoke means that water or coolant is being burnt off. While it’s normal for some white smoke to be present on startup (especially if your Ferrari has been sitting for a while) as moisture in the exhaust is burnt off. If the white smoke persists after your engine is up to operating temperature, it means the coolant is being burnt off.
Finally black smoke means your Ferrari is running rich, with an excessive amount of fuel being ignited. Excessive fuel can be caused by bad adaptations in the ECU or a malfunctioning fuel injector. Either way it’s best to have this issue investigated further to prevent the risk of further damage.
Fluid Leaks
Your Ferrari’s fluid should always be on the inside and the development of any leaks is an immediate sign that there is an issue. The most common cause of leaks on a Ferrari is from gaskets that have failed due to age and may cause oil or transmission fluid to leak out.
The second source of leaks is perished hoses and pipes. Your Ferrari uses pipes and hoses to transport fluid around the vehicle. Coolant from the engine to radiators and back, or brake fluid from the master cylinder to the calipers, etc.
Losing fluid is not only a risk to the health of your car’s mechanical components but can also put your own safety at risk. If you are leaking fluid, it’s time to contact a trusted Ferrari repair and service specialist.
Shuddering and Shakes
A Ferrari is designed to carve canyons and rip up race tracks, and should be a smooth comfortable ride. If your supercar begins to develop any shakes, rattles, or shudders it’s a blaring sign that something has gone wrong.
A rougher ride can be the symptom of any number of issues, from unbalanced wheels to worn suspension components or even a misfiring engine. It’s natural for the rubber in your Ferrari’s suspension components to wear with age, but the increased harshness would be gradual, a dramatic decrease in smoothness often means something has broken and needs to be addressed and repaired.
Hesitation In The Transmission
Ferrari transmissions are some of the smoothest and fastest-shifting units on the market. A huge part of what makes driving a Ferrari so special is how quickly they shift. It adds so much to the acceleration, helping the engine propel the car to those ridiculous speeds.
Some Ferrari’s can develop transmission issues that can cause them to shift slower or hesitate when trying to change gears. This is usually due to dirt getting stuck in the valves of the transmission control unit, physically preventing the unit from shifting gears. Regularly changing your transmission fluid can prevent this, but in severe cases, the transmission valve body can only be saved by cleaning or replacing the valve body.
Another cause of hesitation when accelerating is a worn clutch, that allows the flywheel and selected gear to spin at different speeds that prevent the valve body from being triggered and changing gears.
Ferrari Repair & Service Specialist In Pompano Beach
You don’t have to ship your Ferrari to Maranello to ensure you receive the best possible Ferrari service experience when you have Foreign Affairs Motorwerks in your backyard. As South Florida’s premier European Auto Repair facility, we offer a full menu of Ferrari repair and maintenance and services.
From routine maintenance to track prepping, from F40s to 458s, our team has a collective 125 years of experience and has seen every job you could imagine on a prancing horse.
Don’t take our word for it, see it for yourself! Book your Ferrari for a service with us today by calling 954-746-0488.