F cars with cam belts

The 85 US 308 Qv owner's manual say 52,000 miles as well. But there is also an insert that say 25,000 miles or 2 years max. I don't know where they got 2 years max from. Current belts on my 308 are going on 7. I may change them this if I get around to it, or not.

My Miata, 10 years, 65k miles on the belts when I sold it. Wife's Honda 18 years, 104000 miles. My 89 BMW 3 series, 6 years, 108000 when the water pump went. Had the belt changed at the same time, while you are in there.

 

Variables are, to some degree, the bearings and who did the previous job.

About 7 years (time flies!) and less than 5,000 miles on this one.
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Can you scan or photo that 2 yr document? I don't believe I've ever seen one. Thanks.

 

Idler bearing life. RPM. Valve spring tension. A high RPM engine will have stiffer valve springs, putting more stress on the belt.

IMO, the older belts from the 80s were beefier. The new belts look kind of wimpy.

The 348 with just one belt would cause an awful mess if it breaks. I wouldn't gamble on that one. It's good that you can wrench, because you get to take the engine out first !

I've had 3 break on my personal cars (Fiat,Chrysler,Porsche), and one on a race car with a BDA. The Chrysler was easy to fix, because it was non-interference. The other cars needed new valves.

 

When Ferrari first recommended that belt change interval, they thought the belts had to go 50,000 miles to meet EPA standards. Once they figured out routine belt maintenance could be required during the 50,000 mile interval, they changed. Euro versions of the OMs show different requirements. The early 348 OM, 564/89, shows a 2 year change interval for the cambelts, and 328 OM 376/86 also shows 2 years. So Ferrari was just hoping not too many broke in the US.

 

So there is something in the two year interval. It seems excessively excessive

 

Cool, I did some digging and interestingly the 1989 348 has a "40K service" (about 25k miles).

Curious about the different specs for the 1989 348 and the 1989 Mondial t. Maybe the market (i.e. buyers) of the latter have less hooliganistic tendencies?
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As usual this post will end just like all other belt posts. There will always be subjectivity and no real factory data to support the 3 year interval. So my conclusion and opinion is for each to consider the various posts and do what you want to do. Good luck.

 

Yeah, the only real answer is to run engines until they fail and then say, yep, that's how long.

 

Here is the pull out that came with my 85 308 QV. Note first item on list. replace timing belts after 24 months max.
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I see, thanks.

And more than just a belt change since it says "Check and adjust valves' clearance and cylinder heads torque" every 12,500 miles. Although no annual requirements for the clearance and torque, it makes sense to complete it all at the same time (given: 3125 miles annual average).

High maintenance indeed! Makes one happy four the FNA 3-year letter.

 

Oh come on now Terry. You should know better than to try and inject some actual factual information into a timing belt thread. Didn't the last 300 belt threads teach you anything?

 

Interesting info. I've read a number of these threads but don't recall having seen that. Helps explain why Maranello specified different intervals. Thanks for posting that.

 

Brian- Yup, I am a slow learner. Should have been doing my taxes instead.

 

How old are the idlers ? I would change both now. Don't take any chances.

 

There is a factory Ferrari Technical bulletin that supports the 3 year replacement interval.

 

In the discussion about belt change intervals, a significant point has not been mentioned -

There actually ARE several first person stories written here from people that have suffered a belt failure and the resultant very expensive engine repairs needed. If you haven't come across them, that's your fault and it doesn't mean they don't exist. Search harder, or spend more time browsing. Those stories are throughout the Technical, 308, mondial, 348 sections of the forum. There are also posts written by highly trusted technicians who have documented belt failures on cars of their clients and related those incidents to us. Belt failures do happen, and have been documented here.

Your basic premise for this thread (that belt failures don't happen) is flawed.

 

Yup. One for 12 cylinders, too.
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Actually willfully ignorant is far more accurate.

Collecting only data that supports your desired conclusion is hardly a new idea.

 

While more research could have been done the new fchater is well "new". He also is a brother as a multiple alfa owner. He is also a racer. Those two would imply some mechanical skill. I say we cut the man some slack and help him learn just like so many other fchaters have done in the past.

 

According to Alfa Romeo I am a Master Alfa Mechanic too so I am fully aware of his mark missing there. He didn't come here to learn, he came to educate.

 

Completely agree. Well said.

 

Safe = Change at 3 years
Probably Safe = Change at 4 years
Pushing it = Change at 5 years
Gambling = Change at 6 years +

This is always how I saw it.

 

For the 3.4 motor I'm inclined to agree.

For the 3.2, different world to me.

 

Taz can correct if I am wrong. Somewhere I read the newer belts are good to go for the usual 30,000 miles or 5 years whichever comes sooner. Belts changed last winter on my 575. Approx 8000 miles and 5 years since last change. Hanging on the peg board and look brand new. Of course one can't see what was going on inside them. GTS Bruce