Major Service Update. WHAT! WHY?

ajacobazzi · #1 12-19-2006, 09:17 PM

Apparently I’m a little behind the times on this subject. It has recently come to my attention that Ferrari has updated the recommendation for a major service from every five years to every three years. With that said, will you immediately comply with the new recommendation or will you continue with the five year program?

My immediate position is that if every five years was acceptable in the recent past, why wouldn’t it be acceptable still today? Not to sound like a disgruntled teenager, but, because Ferrari said so? I guess I need a little more education and advice on this matter to either set myself straight or to give me piece of mind that my initial position on the matter is widely acceptable among others in the community.

Your opinions would be valued immensely.

**MufflerMan** · #2 12-19-2006, 09:27 PM

I personally think FNA is trying to get more service business for their dealers. I agree that five years worked before, why change it. I will look for RifleDrivers response here.

**Big red** · #3 12-19-2006, 11:28 PM

Still doing 7/8 yrs on my tr....not sure what the fuss is all about.
But what the hell do i know.

**GCalo** · #4 12-19-2006, 11:41 PM

I would think that since F engines rev 3-4 X's that of most others, frequent services are preventative maintenance.

However a 5 year to 3 year plan does have earmarks of keeping service depts busy, but apparently there must be sound reasoning for the reduction.

I, too, would again listen to Rifledriver's input on this.

I for one would not want to hear the snap, crackle, and pop!

ajacobazzi · #5 12-20-2006, 06:47 AM

Thank you to all that have replied thus far. It is certainly promising to see that it's not a simple cut and dry issue as I had feared.

rbf41000 · #6 12-20-2006, 10:07 AM

Probably going to get blasted for this but I don't think the major service time frame moved just the cam belt replacement time.
I do understand that for an engine out cam belt change you might as well do the major service at that time.

**BigTex** · #7 12-20-2006, 10:17 AM

You follow their rules to maintain the Factory Warranty..

After that common sense prevails.....I'm still following my 1977 308GTB Schedule, with an eye towards Factory recommendations.......I'm trying to get the 15,000 miles to match 3 calendar years, but that's a LOT of driving, brother!

**Artvonne** · #8 12-20-2006, 10:32 AM

No. Now had you put the phrase "timing belts" into this thread, it would have turned into a dogfight, lol.

While it appears a few want to assume Ferrari went to a more aggressive service schedule on the belt service simply to help the dealers profit, there is some evidence of cars having early belt failures.

I'm not a wealthy man. I can afford the car, and I can afford to buy parts for it that it "needs", but the labor is all mine. I also have a daughter in college we're trying to support, and its to much of a gamble not to maintain the car as the manufacture feels fit and risk $$$$$$ doing needless repairs due to neglect. In fact, growing up with a backround towards aircraft, I approach cars the same way. The 308 in the garage could just as easily be a Cessna. As such it gets something along the line of daily, 25 hour, 100 hour, and annual inspections to keep it well sorted and ready for a run. As much as I want confidence in an airplane, I want to feel confident that the car will not unexpectedly blow up and cost buckets of $$$$$$ I dont have. If ya'll have enough jing in your pockets to accept that risk, do it up.

**rolindsay** · #9 12-20-2006, 10:40 AM

My name is Rick Lindsay and I am a broken-belt-a-holic.

A few years ago I stripped the teeth on a cambelt and bent up a bunch of valves in a mondial QV. I no longer own that car but I do now have a 2-valve 308GTB. The belts were last changed in the GTB about 5 years ago and they are about due for another change. No rush though. The belts in the Mondial were 17 years old - and ORIGINAL equipment!

rick
PS: Yes, I think three years is excessive unless perhaps you track your car regularily or have an oily engine (as the belts are exposed to liquids).

**UConn Husky** · #10 12-20-2006, 10:41 AM

I too would love to hear the insights of the learned F techs in this forum. How many cases are actually out there of failed belts / ruined motors that weren't changed on schedule? Right now I'm thinking compromise and go with 4 years.

**rolindsay** · #11 12-20-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferrariless

I too would love to hear the insights of the learned F techs in this forum. How many cases are actually out there of failed belts / ruined motors that weren't changed on schedule? Right now I'm thinking compromise and go with 4 years.

Here in the oil business we have a saying, "Never drill a compromise." Instead, we go with the best advice of the experts. In the motorcar case, the experts are not just at Ferrari, they are here online too. We must question the motives of the folks who say every 3 years. Still, if 4 years makes you happy then go for it. I think four years +/- 2 years is a safe enough interval. If I were to run my car hard I might default the the near side. I don't so 5-6 years is just fine for me. ...and I have broken a belt and have paid the $9000 for the repairs!

**Rifledriver** · #12 12-20-2006, 11:19 AM

I keep hearing about how Ferrari does this for the dealers and does that for the dealers and that they require all the servicing they do to make the dealers money.

When are any of you going to learn?

Ferrari North America and Ferrari Spa do not give a flying F U C K about the dealers.

And for the guy that started the thread, 50 years ago did the medical profession care about prostrate exams?

Do you suppose that they are suggested now because they know a little more now than they did 50 years ago?

Do you suppose the same learning process maybe, just maybe applies to automobiles too?

**BigTex** · #13 12-20-2006, 12:17 PM

PROSTATE....

'Prostrate' means you are lying down, after too much Booker's....LOL!

Don't worry, they made the mistake on the Marquee sign at the Hospital, I took a pic and made a poster for the Facilities guys......

I'm gonna get a check up, have a Booker's and change my timing belts.....

That's WHAT! and that's WHY????

I agree with Rifledriver, in that my belts are done by an independent with no FNA affiliation.....truthfully I would have to really sweet talk FoH into working on my older cars...no interest all from them.

**JohnnyS** · #14 12-20-2006, 12:36 PM

Just had a major done on my 1987 328 in November. The dealer told me that the recommended service for the belts was 30,000 miles or five years. This is from a very respected Ferrari dealer in the Chicago area.

**rolindsay** · #15 12-20-2006, 12:36 PM

BigTex is right, as usual.

I have found that Ferrari of Anywhere has all-but-no interest in anything with 8 cylinders if it is older than the 360 Modena. I recently looked at a 355 Berlinetta at Ferrari of Somewhere and it was stuck way back on the back lot so as to not contaminate to ambiance of the dealership!

As for timing belts? I will change my own when the time comes. I have a 2-valve GTB and no-fear about home maintenance. Been around the bend too many times to worry about home garage vs indy mechanic vs dealerships.

-rick (a.k.a. LittleTex)

**BigTex** · #16 12-20-2006, 12:40 PM

ROTFLMAO!

"Howdy, LittleTex!!" LOL!

That was a sweet yellow/black coupe, eh?
21K miles, $72K ???

They warned me that ANY of the known 355 engine issues would bankrupt my meager wallet, so I went on.......

**360trev** · #17 12-20-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rifledriver

I keep hearing about how Ferrari does this for the dealers and does that for the dealers and that they require all the servicing they do to make the dealers money.

When are any of you going to learn?

Ferrari North America and Ferrari Spa do not give a flying F U C K about the dealers.

And for the guy that started the thread, 50 years ago did the medical profession care about prostrate exams?

Do you suppose that they are suggested now because they know a little more now than they did 50 years ago?

Do you suppose the same learning process maybe, just maybe applies to automobiles too?

Wow, harsh words, I can only assume Rifledriver is upset as the response seemed very aggressive for such a genuine enquiry and speculation. If the minor services include regular fluid changes, oil/air/fuel filters then whats the major differences apart from belts and plugs?

On the point about new information I really dont think there has been that much new learned in the last 5 years that suggests major re-think otherwise the whole industry would be changing their policy.

In fact its the otherway around with other marques, in that they are extending them to 20 and even 30k between services because tolerances in engine building, balancing and machining are actually meaning most cars engines are almost as good as blueprinted ones (not quite as good but usually within 2%) hence advice about no requirement to bed in new engines anymore (well on Euro manufacturers anyway).

**Bullfighter** · #18 12-20-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajacobazzi

Apparently I’m a little behind the times on this subject. It has recently come to my attention that Ferrari has updated the recommendation for a major service from every five years to every three years. With that said, will you immediately comply with the new recommendation or will you continue with the five year program? ...

I'm on the three-year plan. Part of the reason is that the major on the 328 isn't as expensive as on the models that followed it, so I can afford to follow Ferrari's most recent TSB. I was also aware of these costs before a wrote the check for the car (thanks to this site and to my local Ferrari tech).

But part of it is simply that this is an old car, and old cars (like old people) have more ailments. I see other benefits to having a thorough service triennially.

**BigTex** · #19 12-20-2006, 12:44 PM

Dude,

It's only because this is such a well worn topic....think Paris Hilton's bed sheets worn, you know????

If you hit SEARCH on this topic your computer will burn up!

Rifledriver is a professional independent, formerly FNA trained technician that knows which way the wind blows...... so he knows the Real Deal as well as what FNA prints on paper........

**Rifledriver** · #20 12-20-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyS

Just had a major done on my 1987 328 in November. The dealer told me that the recommended service for the belts was 30,000 miles or five years. This is from a very respected Ferrari dealer in the Chicago area.

They may be respected but they are wrong.

As per TSB 1003 dated 10-02 and TSB 1215 dated 5-04 all Ferrari motors with rubber timing belts should have those changed every 3 years or 30 thousand miles.

But that is just what Ferrari says. By all means change them less often especially if you can get a shop or better yet a franchise dealer to give it to you in writing that it is just not needed because in 4 1/2 years if a belt does fail they owe you a motor. But do get it in writing.....if you can.

That is about as smart a your cardiologist telling you to smoke 2 packs and eat 3 hearty squares a day at McDonalds.

And then the alternative to all this is to just use the search function because this topic gets beaten to death about every 3 weeks.