MajorCommonEngine

Ferrari California: Sagging engine mounts and transmission oil leaks

Sagging engine mounts and transmission oil leaks is a common engine fault on the Ferrari California on the 2009–2017 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $1,500 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 6 documented faults on the Ferrari California.

Vehicle: Ferrari California
Years: 2009–2017
Fuel: petrol
System: Engine

This page covers the Ferrari California as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Ferrari California faults6 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

The California's engine mounts sag with age and heat, letting the engine rock and sending a vibration through the cabin at idle and a clunk through the drivetrain on take-off, and the gearbox can develop oil leaks that first show up as slowing shift response before any drip is seen. Neither is unusual on a car of this age, but both are ignored more often than they should be because a convertible with the roof down hides a lot of noise. A car that has had its mounts replaced has had a careful owner.

What you would notice

Vibration through the seat and steering wheel at idle
Clunk from the drivetrain on take-off or on a firm shift
Shift response slowing over months
Oil drips under the rear of the car

How to check it

Where to look. Engine mounts either side of the engine; transaxle at the rear

Sit in the car at idle with the roof up and the stereo off and feel for a vibration through the seat that changes when the engine is revved gently, then pull away firmly a few times listening for a clunk from underneath.
Look under the rear of the car where it is normally parked for oil drips.
Ask whether the engine mounts have been replaced and whether the gearbox has ever leaked or been resealed.

What it costs to put right

$1,500 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Have the engine mounts been replaced?”
“Has the gearbox ever leaked oil?”

Now check the Ferrari California you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

PistonHeads — 'Ferrari California | PH Used Buying Guide'
Exotic Car Hacks — Ferrari California/California T/Portofino Buyers Guide

Ferrari California buyer questions

Is sagging engine mounts and transmission oil leaks serious on a Ferrari California?

We rate it major and common on the Ferrari California. The California's engine mounts sag with age and heat, letting the engine rock and sending a vibration through the cabin at idle and a clunk through the drivetrain on take-off, and the gearbox can develop oil leaks that first show up as slowing shift response before any drip is seen. Neither is unusual on a car of this age, but both are ignored more often than they should be because a convertible with the roof down hides a lot of noise. A car that has had its mounts replaced has had a careful owner.

How much does it cost to fix on a Ferrari California?

$1,500 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Ferrari California years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2009–2017 Ferrari California. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Sit in the car at idle with the roof up and the stereo off and feel for a vibration through the seat that changes when the engine is revved gently, then pull away firmly a few times listening for a clunk from underneath. Look under the rear of the car where it is normally parked for oil drips. Ask whether the engine mounts have been replaced and whether the gearbox has ever leaked or been resealed. Look here: Engine mounts either side of the engine; transaxle at the rear