Belt Tensioner and Bearing Service Video

Bell

That is once again some serious magic you're doing! Nice job!

For the bearings: I think most of us use the Hill Bearings. Normally seen, Ferrari dictates (like most manufacturers) to change bearings & belts together. With those uprated bearings and the fact most Mondis in our hands don't cover maximum beltmileage between changes. What is your opinion on those bearings?

In my opinion: I would check each belt change for play on the bearings. If they are good, leave them. In fact I would like to know what grease Hill is using + their recommendation on lifespan of the grease in normal use.

I checked the bearings that came of my Mondi and they were good, the Dayco belts were dated 2004 and also in pretty good nick (visual that is - they could be stretched or internal weakened) The old bearings will bept in stock.

happy wrenching!

Bart

 

You are so right.

Although I used the Hill bearings last time and they are very good I have no plans to change them for many belt changes.
As I recall, the Lotus recommendation for the same bearing is to check it every time the belt is replaced and then replace as a matter of course at 90,000 miles. Some Lotus owners (being basically cheapskates ) will change the tensioner bearing when it starts to make a noise, although this is probably taking it a bit far . This is despite the fact that the cost of rebuilding a Lotus engine is arguably more than a Ferrari. Lotus parts are very expensive because the factory guards heavily against third-party suppliers undercutting them.

 

So how do they come apart without damage to the grease seal?

 

THe reason we change bearings more often than on a Toyota is because it is right there on the Toyota and it can be done in hours. On a Ferrari, it takes a week, so we might was well do it when we have it out.

 

Kudus to you BB! I especially like your observation on the possibility of a bad new bearing. This is a perpetual quandary in life. Failure rates on many products are higher when new then later. For instance, every Ferrari belt failure I have heard of in these threads has been a recent installation.

I would like to see a thread on failures of various sorts. For instance, how many of us know of a case where old cam belts failed? Do any of us know of anyone who burned a valve because the valves had not been properly adjusted? I would include water pumps and alternators.

In my own case I took possession of the car a year ago at 44,000 miles. The clutch hydraulics were weak and went bad in the next 4,000 miles, and I scattered the clutch friction plate another 500 miles later through extreme use. And I replaced the recalcitrant starter as well.

Today the car runs perfect. However, the heater fan and heater temperature device have gone defective in the last year. I simply shut down the hot water flow by squeezing the hose with needle nose vice grips. I still would like to get the fan back on line. But it is not critical, though is nice to have in hot weather.

PS - Squeezing close the hot water hose to the heater; I considered simply cutting the hose and installing a valve, but did not want to even slightly disrupt my coolant system since the car runs cool. With 60/40 glycol it never boils coolant even at idle in 90F weather at 2000 ft elevation and zero water pressure. THAT is just to good to be true. And too good to mess with.

 

Sweet again

I love the neat alloy welding product. Now I can make my own drain without bringing it to a professional welder
Sorry I can't keep up with you on the video build channel. Still have have my regular offie job in between to earn some pocket money and preparing for Italy is a bit time consuming as well. Sorry we are not passing Rome. Not sure if you still are going. You guys still planning a trip to Amsterdam?

 

That roof has a bloody good curve mind the speed ramps though! I think it is open for driving for a few euros.

More then welcome here perhaps my old man does not even mind to go for a drive. One thing.. It has not seatbelts!

PM me the dates you guys plan to visit. There are some nice bed and breakfasts as well where I live only 17km away downtown Amsterdam. (Week 20 we will be in Italy)

I was thinking if people here are interested in a drive through Norway for a few days with some Mondies. It has an awesome landscape to drive. Not sure about the weather though..

 

Hi Bell,
If you want to take the X1/9 on the roof: book dinner in the top restaurant and ask for parking space for the OLD FIAT on the circuit. If you book for 7pm (the earliest possible I think), you still can make pics in the daylight. (I had the company Renault with me, so no hurry there for making pics on the roof, but we did a tour of circuit by asking in the restaurant) Do take some time to wander through the shopping mall below + I think there's a Fiat exhibition also in the Mirafiori.

Turin is an absolute under estimated city, it's a wonderful place to stay.