Ferrari Service / Cam Variator Recall / Timing Belts

My car falls into the VIN number with the cam variator recall and i'm about due for timing belt service as well.

As far as i understand the recall can only be performed when the timing belts are in for service.

If, i were supply the parts (belts, and hill engineering tensioners... only) from Ricambi - Would Ferrari perform the service, including the cam variators?

And would the cam variator service and replacement and labor be free of charge?

Also, any idea how much the cost would be if i were to supply the parts?

Any information would be GREATLY appreciated - Thanks!!

 

Are you sure the cam variators haven't already been changed? If you look at the cylinder heads in your car, there will usually be a "VD" stamped into them if the variators have already been updated. If you search my old posts, you will find pictures on one of the threads that I posted showing where it is and what it looks like.

You should also be able to call Ferrari and have them run your VIN# to see if the update has been done on your car.

As far as the dealer using non-OEM parts, that's hard to say. Also, I'm not sure they are still doing the variator updates at this time for the 360's or not. Maybe they still are, but I seem to remember someone posting last year that they ran into trouble getting Ferrari to cover the labor on that or something (although I might be mistaken).

Ray

 

Appreciate all the info - When the warmer weather starts appearing i will contact Ferrari to find out more - Just trying to get a baseline here

I have to find that picture you described, im sure that would save me a headache!

As far as Ferrari not using Ferrari parts, are the OEM tensioners truly to be avoided? Or, could they be used and safely? I doubt Ferrari would use a truly horrible part... Right?!

Any idea for a price of labor minus parts?!

 

Here you go (see msg #62) on this thread:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=161753

The tensioners are always going to be Ferrari. It's the bearings that Hill provides that are better. Are they better than OEM? Hard to say. If it were me, I would use Hill myself.

Ray

 

Thanks for the picture,

i would like to use Hill, although it's up to if the recall has been performed... If not, and Ferrari will warranty it, then i would like to go through Ferrari for the service, thus i may or may not be able to supply them non-OEM parts...

and i found out yesterday, my battery is in need of replacing... and there's 2 inches of fresh snow on the ground...

Yikes! lol -

again, much appreciated for everything!

 

I installed a dry cell battery in my 360. The 925. Search Ferrarichat, there are some threads on it with pictures, etc. It's a great battery and saves about 20 or 25 lbs off the car also.

Ray

 

Yea that's what im looking at the odyssey PC925-T - did a search last night and found that was the way to go - need to look into the securing of the battery now

 

Straps work pretty well. I bought the little welded battery tray for the 925 also, but never installed it. Great battery and no venting required.

Odyssey makes the Platinum line of batteries for Sears now also. I just installed one in my truck and it works great!

Ray

 

Where does one find the list of VINs which fall into the cam variator recall?


TIA

Ray

 

On Ferrarichat.com, of course

Engines below #60769 and/or VIN # range: 114015 – 123399 were subject to the variator recall.

Ray

 

It is against Ferrari policy for an authorized dealer to use non Ferrari parts and most dealers obey that rule. It is against company policy in most dealers to use customer supplied parts. Profit on parts is one income stream that allows them to keep the doors open.

During the variator replacement, if needed, you will be given, free of charge several very expensive parts and some very valuable labor. The dealer will be compensated for those parts and that labor at a rate that will very possibly be under his cost. To ask him to do the balance of the job for near nothing is not a good way to have a good relationship with them.

 

Thank you!

 

I have pointed this out before and many act like I am an idiot but the variator issue is a campaign not a recall. In fact most of the issues were campaigns not recalls. And before you all get up in arms, no the are not the same. There is a BIG difference.

A recall is mandated by either the EPA or NHTSA. Note it is MANDATED by the government and the manufacturer MUST do the repair.

A campaign is voluntary and is generally done by the manufacturer as a customer service. Since it is voluntary they can choose to honor the campaign or not and they can change their mind at any time.

 

Correct and recalls are only for safety related issues and emission control. Blowing up a motor is not considered safety by anyone.

 

Good to know - guess if the cam variator campaign is honored i will be going with OEM Ferrari belt tensioners - Thanks

Great info - hopefully my dealership will honor this campaign

 

The campaign can be performed at any time, however, I would not drive my car knowing it needed the service. As others have stated and as I experienced, you will pay for the belt service, anything related to the cams will be covered. Without looking at my bill, I beleive I paid $2200 at a Ferrari dealer for all the work to include, belts, tensioners, right and left, bearings and variators.

Hope it helps.

 

Yes they would. They've done it before, and will continue doing it.
Have you seen the headers?

 

Excellent info - thanks

If my cam variators are covered, i will have no other option but to use OEM tensioners

 

True. However, it is not the belt tensioners that are made by Hill, it is the tensioner bearings. The tensioners go bad over time (one needed to be replaced last year in mine at the time of belt service).

 

Then it would be the tensioner bearings that would have to be OEM - everything would be done during the belt service (belts, variators, tensioners, etc.)

 

Here is the FNA letter reference the campaign.


Hope this helps.
View attachment variator_campaign-short-version.pdf

 

Saw that on Ricambi - Thanks