Shredded A/C belt on my new t - help!

As pristine as my new baby is, it only took two days to understand what it takes to own and maintain a Ferrari. I drove her the first day with no issues, but the next day when I started her up in the garage there was an awful squeal, white smoke, and finally a shredded belt on the ground. My stomach was in a knot.

I don't have a lift but I inspected as much as I could with mirrors and from what I can see it was only the A/C belt. I don't see any other damage or debris. The A/C pulley spins easily. I don't know about the tensioner. The car only has 27k miles and had it's major service done at 25k. It had more recent minor services and inspections as well.

So I'm wondering the best and worst case scenarios:

1) Is it possible that I'm getting off easy and only need a new belt? Or what is the likelihood that a failed compressor or tensioner bearing caused the belt to shred?

2) Can the belt be replaced in the car? (please please please) Or engine out? (no no no!)

3) I started it and backed out of the garage. It seems to run fine with no other noises or red flags. Again assuming it's just the A/C belt, can I drive it to the shop? What could happen?

Any info is appreciated, thanks.

 

1. My guess would be 1b but that is a guess.

2. Yes, in place. Pretty easy actually.

3. You really want to take a look and be sure no debris from the belt can get to either the timing belt or the alt belt or that some foreign object didn't cause the problem and is still there.

 

If you fill in some basic info on your car and location, you will get more specific responses.

Generally, I would not start the car with the a/c switched on. Let the engine and lubricants warm up first.

 

It would be this beauty:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/mondial/499882-i-cant-believe-theres-ferrari-my-garage.html

 

He lasted all of 2 days. wow.

When I bought my 348 with the same engine, The very first day, I drove the car right up to the lift and it stayed for 3 months.

 

To get familiar, download the Owner's and workshop manual if you haven't already.

All Ferraris
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A low mileage CA Cab, the a/c probably didn't get used very much (my guess anyway).

 

Don't be discouraged...I too had a similar experience as Mitch (even went to his house!) Check out my blog...it took months of starts/stops until I finally got everything sorted.

Chances are the previous owner didn't drive it much. As others have said many times - cars need to be regularly driven - especially a Ferrari.

You will encounter things like this for the first few months of ownership .... don't be discouraged...fix things as they come up and you will be rewarded once everything is sorted.

Properly maintained and regularly driven, these cars are no more unreliable in IMHO than other cars of the era. I've driven my car now relatively problem free for about a year.

 

Yep you gotta drive these girls!

its not about how many miles but how many years between service

 

You sure its the AC belt that snapped? Here are some photos from "motoMike" 90 T, I have an 88 3.2 and changed all of my belts but on a T, I don't think you can replace a belt without dropping the engine. Maybe someone with a T can chime in on this.

Note that the AC belt and Alternator belt/water pump belt all face towards the front of the car if looking from engine bay. It doesn't look like there is any room to get in there without an engine drop.

Having said that, if its the AC belt, just don't turn on the AC, you can drive the car just fine, at least to the repair shop of choice. If its the alternator/water pump, that would require a tow to the shop (I repeat do not drive). fyi: The cam belt or timing belt is hidden inside the V shape silver covers.

Good luck.
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To change the a/c belt the alt belt needs to come off first. Both can be replaced with the motor in, thankfully.

However, the water pump runs off of the cambelt (not plural) and the motor does come out for that.

 

Thanks everyone. It's definitely just the A/C belt, alternator and water pump are working fine. I agree it's probable that the A/C was rarely used. Does that cause the belt to get stiff and retain shape in stopped position? If so I guess one needs to occasionally run the A/C even if the weather doesn't call for it. What about belt conditioners, how often should they be used and does that help?

 

Did the AC belt break in half or did it shred and slipped off. Details are everything! Belt conditioners are used on older belts to moisten and stop the squeeking noises but its a bandaid, you should replace the belts and check the bearings!
In general, belts just dont slip off unless the pulley/bearing failed somewhere or an object fell into the belt path and caused it to break off. You need to try to figure out what went wrong. I dont believe not being used much would not do that.
Best

 

The belt always spins as the A/C clutch is on the compressor.

 

Yes, don't feel bad. After only one 2 hour drive my "new" '83 QV is at Bradan getting all the DIY mechanic work of the previous owners repaired/undone/redone to the tune of $20k. Sheesh. I WISH it was just a busted A/C belt! Hahaha.