| Author |
Message |
Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member
Username: 95f355c
Post Number: 192
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 11:28 pm: | |
David,
I have a 95 355 that was originally a street car but converted to a Challenge car a year ago. I have never had any problems engine related, except for a colapsed belt tensioner. I know three other owners of 95's (one a Challenge car w/ 22,000 miles) and none of them have had any problems.
Regards,
Jon P. Kofod
1995 F355 Challenge #23
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david handa (Davehanda)
Junior Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 114
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 10:14 pm: | |
Thanks for all the information guys! I have called a couple dealers, and the service dept.s confirm that the problems are rare. Interesting that the sales guys at the same dealership were spreading the rumor though... :-)
Dave
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Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 1233
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 2:05 pm: | |
I was talking to Billy Z (where are you?) at WWoC and he was saying that 95's arent bad like everyone thinks. I used to think they were trouble, but as Mr D said, the vavle guide problems have either been fixed by now or wont happen. Also, 95's, because they are still OBD I, are more powerful than the other model years and they also sound the best. If they are OBD I they will probably respond better to mods such as K&N and a tubi. |
Stephen Patterson (Srpatterson)
Junior Member
Username: Srpatterson
Post Number: 235
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 10:26 pm: | |
My 1995 355B had zero problems through 20K+ miles. This problem has been blown way out of proportion. |
Cmparrf40 (Cmparrf40)
Member
Username: Cmparrf40
Post Number: 326
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 2:59 pm: | |
1995 F355 B 16,000 miles no problems at 14,000 miles when I did a major service, I did update the heads at that time. In retrospect I think it was a waste of money.
We have covered this issue before, I think the dealers are just trying to screw you at trade-in time.
They offer you less, if it has none been done, but do not do the valve service before they sell it at full retail.
If the car is does smoke at start-up after sitting all night, it probably does not and will not need this service, imho. |
Lance Reeve (Lance)
New member
Username: Lance
Post Number: 7
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 11:59 am: | |
I purchased a 95 355B new and have not had any valve guide or timing related problems at all. I believe my production date was around March 1995. Also, I haven't had the dreaded exhaust manifold deterioration that many others have had. I did have assorted minor problems during the first two years of ownership but since then all has been very good. |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 307
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 7:41 am: | |
that's interesting data, pino.
i was under the impression, basedon a variety of feedback i'd received, that the valve guide problem was one of those things that either already has happened to a car or otherwise is not likely to happen if it hasn't by now.
in the end though i couldn't get hard data liket his and just stayed away from 95s.
doody. |
Joseph Caretti (Pino)
Junior Member
Username: Pino
Post Number: 55
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 9:07 pm: | |
I almost forgot, if the car you are looking at does indeed have all the services up to date, the valve guides should be indicated as being replaced. Every Ferrari dealer asked the question about valve guide replacement in the same breath as belt replacement when considering accepting mine as a trade. I would imagine all '95's either have had it done, or will need it done. |
Joseph Caretti (Pino)
Junior Member
Username: Pino
Post Number: 54
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 9:03 pm: | |
The valve guide problem is usually caught at the major service. When replacing the belts and timing the camshafts, the problem is usually seen. Other tell-tale signs are an unusually rough idle, and in extreme cases the CE light will illuminate because of poor combustion. My previous '95 had 22,000 miles on it, and it needed done. I didn't have it done, but I took a loss at trade in time. |
david handa (Davehanda)
Junior Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 113
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 7:52 pm: | |
I'm looking at a couple 1995 355's and have heard about some of the problems these early cars had. The most troubling to me is the possible valve guide problem. I hear a leakdown test will not really detect this, unless it has gotten so bad that damage has occured to the valve train. I realize not ALL 95 355's have this problem, but what is a good "buyer's check" before throwing down the $$$? The car I am looking at has 20k miles and all service is up to date.
Thanks guys,
Dave |