| Author |
Message |
CBR (Seabayr)
New member
Username: Seabayr
Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 2:37 pm: | |
Thank you all, and I am glad you had such fun. |
Paul Jeffery (Peajay)
Junior Member
Username: Peajay
Post Number: 128
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 2:03 pm: | |
My vote is change it ASAP !!! |
Thomas I (Wax)
Member
Username: Wax
Post Number: 291
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 1:59 pm: | |
exponentially: expressible or approximately expressible by an exponential function; especially : characterized by or being an extremely rapid increase (as in size or extent) [an exponential growth rate] in the increased chances that the original camshaft drive belt on a 10 year old Ferrari will suffer breakdown at the molecular level, thereby causing wailing and gnashing of teeth to, of, by and for the caretaker of said Ferrari.
caretaker: one that gives physical or emotional care and support [served as caretaker to the Ferrari 348 Spider] |
Eugene Angelo (Eangelo)
Junior Member
Username: Eangelo
Post Number: 64
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 11:24 am: | |
Cami,
A properly drive Ferrari must be raced! Please take your car to the track!
BTW - I had the same question on my 1993 348 with 9K miles. I changed the belts along with a long list of many other itmes two weeks ago. |
David Feinberg (Fastradio2)
Member
Username: Fastradio2
Post Number: 346
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 10:48 am: | |
"..Pay me now...or pay me (more) later"
Would you leave a 10 year old (rubber) fan belt on any car...Maybe, but if it broke you might be stranded and out the cost of a tow + a $10 belt.
When the timing belt(s) breaks, you still need a tow, but now you've, in essence, bought an engine.
Rubber is rubber is rubber is still rubber. Belts deteriorate over time. If we think changing these timing belts is expensive, just think about adding in pulling the heads and changing a couple of dozen valves. Now, that is expensive!
As the majority of these F-cars don't meeting the mileage service, let time be our guiding light.
Soapbox closed for the rest of the day...Thank you. |
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 2976
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 9:20 am: | |
If you drove 52,500 miles in five years or less as was envisioned by the belt designer/manufacturer then that would be just fine. However, most Ferraris are 25 years or older before they get driven that many miles. My Boxer only had 12k miles of it when I acquired it and it was 21 years old ! I am happy to say that I have already driven it almost 4k miles since January. I go with 5 years or 30k miles for peace of mind. |
Phil Hughes (Ferrarifixer)
Junior Member
Username: Ferrarifixer
Post Number: 169
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 6:51 am: | |
And if you're a "worse case scenario" kind of guy.....the 348's only have one belt, so if it breaks/skips/jumps etc you WILL damage BOTH banks of cylinders/valves....and not just one.
A "belt and engine oil" service, including oil and filter, new coolant and an A/C gas recycle can be done in 2 days or 16 hours if no other faults are evident.(Rare). I wouldn't recommend a "minimum" job, but if you're really stretched it'll get you through.
To sell a car with belt job pending is near impossible, the job will pay for itself with car value the moment you collect it. |
Jeff Edison (Euro308guy)
Member
Username: Euro308guy
Post Number: 421
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 5:25 am: | |
Cami,
I had a chance to speak with James at Norwoods about this very topic. He's changed MANY belts and done MANY rebuilds due to belt failures. He claims to have not seen a failure of a belt prior to 10 years. He does state that that is the very longest he would ever wait. He knows of what he speaks. I'd follow his advice along with the group here; change it.
While you are at it, I'd consider replacing the tensioners with a lighter wieght, more durable replacement. Hill Engineering offer's a top notch replacement. Best of luck and keep us all posted. |
Tyler (Bahiaau)
Intermediate Member
Username: Bahiaau
Post Number: 1021
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 4:13 am: | |
I think you should change it. It's cheap insurance. |
Malcolm West (Ferrari_uk_tech)
Junior Member
Username: Ferrari_uk_tech
Post Number: 133
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 3:02 am: | |
For peace of mind change the belt now, 10 years old is too old. As said in previous threads the tensioner bearings need close inspection as well.
MW |
Justyn (Justynb)
Junior Member
Username: Justynb
Post Number: 80
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 1:35 am: | |
Graypaul in the UK recently had a 348 in the shop where the cambelts had gone.
Apparently the engine work was costing the owner �16,000 (about $25k USD). If I had to fork out this kind of money I would have no choice but to give up enjoying ownership of the Marque, I'm not that rich.
Its your gamble ....
Justyn. |
Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member
Username: Jlm348
Post Number: 688
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 12:07 am: | |
Cami I changed my belt with 7500 miles at 10 years on my 348 Spider. My belt was fine, but it gave me piece of mind. Now I know that I can drive 30,000 miles or ten more years without worrying.
I was lucky in that my car was treated very well, but you really never know how it was driven before you.
I am not a mechanic so i have no idea about all this stuff. It was my first Ferrari as well. I saw my belt when they took it off and it looked almost new.
But what if my car wasn't stored in perfect conditions or was raced, Having piece of mind is priceless. Always wondering if your belt is gonna go, is not worth it. |
J R K (Kenyon)
Member
Username: Kenyon
Post Number: 734
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 11:52 pm: | |
Change whatever comes first - 3 years maybe 5yrs max but no more then 30,000 miles.. |
Sam Germana (Sjmst)
Junior Member
Username: Sjmst
Post Number: 102
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 8:43 pm: | |
They say FOUR/15, but who's counting?
CBR: I couldn't have said it better, In fact, I don't think I could have said it all ;o) |
CBR (Seabayr)
New member
Username: Seabayr
Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 8:34 pm: | |
I do agree that preventive service is prudent on an interferance engine, but it still seams VERY conservative to do 5/15. Th eten years is a good while and I'll plan for this winter. Perhaps it a bit of counter-egotism that Ferrari belts 'just must' be replaced so often.
Other than the 10 years (we do agree, and the tires is a fine analogy) the 15k is extreamly out of line with Ferrari's own recommendations.
Perhaps the Service Advisor has the perfected a pick-pockets touch in tickeling a Ferrariphiles fiscally buff phancy.
|
Sam Germana (Sjmst)
Junior Member
Username: Sjmst
Post Number: 101
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 8:01 pm: | |
Just dropped my Mondial off at Ferrari of LI. I was advised (by the young lady at the service desk whose title is: "Service Advisor") that timing belts MUST be changed every four years or 15,000 miles. So there!
Forget what they say, and for SURE ignore the manual..they are both too liberal. I think the most prudent thing to do is have them changed with every fill up.
Of course, I am going to be a reckless fool and let my 5,000 mile timing belt go another year to 6 years or 8,000 miles, but then, I like to live on the edge. |
Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member
Username: Hugh
Post Number: 1391
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 7:38 pm: | |
Would you drive on 10 year old tires? |
dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 1830
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 7:31 pm: | |
Even under the most perfect and ideal conditions, one must consider 10 years to be the absolute maximum change interval.... |
Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member
Username: Carguy
Post Number: 519
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 6:04 pm: | |
I must concur with Henryk here. It's time and/or mileage, which ever occurs first. Visual Inspection will only show apparent physical outward appearing damage - no other way to say it. But it won't tell you the "internal" condition of the belts. I too believe that 10 years is too long. The car may be running fine, but I would not sleep soundly at night knowing the belts are that old. One cringes at the thought of what could happen. From what I've heard, belts are under the most stress at lower rpms due to the changing cam loads caused by various opening/closing events of the valves and springs. So driving the car easy and carefully is right in that same rpm range. I would change the belts as soon as possible for peace of mind. |
Henryk (Henryk)
Intermediate Member
Username: Henryk
Post Number: 1192
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 5:51 pm: | |
Let's see: By the time the car has 52.5k miles on it, it will be about 50 years old........what do you think?
Ten years on timing belts is OLD......OLD...OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Cami B. Russack (Seabayr)
New member
Username: Seabayr
Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 5:37 pm: | |
I have a well maintained, properly driven(not raced)348 Spider.
I know it's all old news to you all but this is my first Ferrari, (which I love already) and I actualy read the Service Book.
Do I replace the original "camshaft drive belt' now at 11K miles and 10 years?
OR
Do I follow the Ferrari Sevice book recommendations and inspect and do it a 52.5K?
While 5/15k is perfect for a 70's 308, is it anything more than tradition from the days of natural rubber and bad tensioners.
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