I have a question. On an 88 Mondial cab: - Is the removal of the AC compressor part of the Ferrari Authorized Process for Belt Service ? If I were to look at the procedure for belt replacement in a factory journal, would the process include the removal or just putting aside? - What it’s the risk of replacing the belts without removing and replacing the AC Compressor? - What does the book give a technician for removal and replacement of the AC Compressor? Thank you in advance for your kind replies. Ron Frohock Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
There is no factory authorized process. They didn't tell us how to fix cars. I doubt there are instructions in the book. I would never consider not taking it out. It will just be in the way and make the job harder. I have no idea what the book time is. Its really pretty meaning less. It was only even established to tell us how much Ferrari was going to pay to do it under warranty. I know of no one on earth who uses Ferrari book times except for warranty claims. You must be mistaking Ferrari for a real car company.
Brian I am so thankful for your reply. My concern is that I asked for a quote to replace the belts on my 3.2 Cab They quoted $4200. They identified the removal and replacement of the ac compressor and a recharge as part of their process. I was told today that the car was ready. The invoice showed the full amount but no recharge. I inquired. The tech didn’t think it was necessary to remove and reinstall the ac compressor. I see this as cutting corners. I feel that if they specified it on their quote and decided to cut the corner then I shouldn’t have to pay the full labor cost. Honestly, the wanted them to remove and replace the compressor and recharge the system and I feel it was agreed upon. I paid extra to have this service done at an authorized Ferrari dealer and I feel that they didn’t do what they quoted. I asked them to recharge the account and I want to ask them to reduce the labor by the amount of time it would take to do the job right or as previously specified. I admire you and trust your guidance. What do you think. Pm me if you prefer. Thank you. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
I asked them to recharge the account and I want to ask them to reduce the labor by the amount of time it would take to do the job right or as previously specified. IMO, that should lead to a pissing contest. Many mechanics and service centers do not like to be told how to do their work, i.e.: it's their attitude that they stick with. I've seen these scenario's get real snooty, like 'the hell what the customer thinks'.
Ron, (I'm assuming your '88 is a 3.2, not a T; I forget the precise year of the transition). Having just done this job on my 3.2, removal of the AC is essential, but not one does not have to disconnect the refrigerant hoses to the compressor. So what they did was simply unbolt it with the hoses attached and put it out of the way. That's what they'd do for a belt job. I'm thinking that whoever you spoke to before having the job done was assuming (wrongly) that the hoses needed to be disconnected, in which case they would have to recharge the AC system. But the mechanic who actually did the job wouldn't have done that unless explicitly instructed to do so. $4200? I saved a ton of money doing it myself. But if it's any consolation it took me 3 full days, about 8-9 hours each day (this being my first time). But my time is cheap
When I recently did the same job I removed the compressor, but my A/C was empty at the time anyway, so it didn't really matter. I guess you could push it out of the way and keep it attached, but sure seems to me it would constantly be in the way. Its close quarters even with it gone. The last time I talked to a dealer about working on my car, they told me they did not have a technician that was alive when my car was built, and they had no interest in learning how to service it. In other words, if a scan tool wouldn't diagnose it for them, no dice. I decided to perform the work myself. No regrets so far...
You are very fortunate they admitted that. Ferrari is putting so much pressure on deales to try and be everything to every Ferrari owner its something they cannot live up to and many take on jobs they have no business doing just to keep Ferrari happy.
It is their right to do the job their way (even if it is stupid) as long as the end result is achieved. It becomes a matter of if it was stated or requested the A/C would be serviced in the process. If thats the case you have a legitimate complaint and it is not just a pissing contest as suggested. They cannot just change what was agreed on for 'X' dollars because they felt like it that day. In many states with strong consumer laws that is specifically prohibited. In any state its breach of contract. As far as the mechanic doing it the stupid way, that is the direct result of dealer mechanics working on cars built before they were born and their supervisors expecting them to be able to do it effectively and efficiently. Its not a 34 Cord. There are people out there that know the cars and work on them more than once every couple of years.
Thanks for the replies. The written estimate states removal and replacement of the AC Compressor and a re-charge. I understood this was the proper way to do this work. The cost estimate was the same as the final invoice. The “write up” did not include R&R of the compressor or a recharge. My “agreement” was to have the work completed as stated on the estimate. If they chose to deviate, ideally they should have given me a call to tell me that the tech would prefer to use a different process. I’m the end, I have used this organization to do all of my work and they have always done a great job and their pricing is fair and competitive. Again, I sincerely appreciate everyone’s posts and point of views. Thank you. Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat.com mobile app
I've done several belt changes and left the compressor connected, but it and the brackets do have to come off the engine to access the belts and get them into place I didn't find it troublesome to work around. For a routine belt service on a rarely driven car changing the belts with the engine in is probably what most people do. To remove the engine the lines have to be disconnected, so then a recharge is required. Removing the engine is what the car is designed for and allows all kinds of issues to be found and addressed with relative ease, but it is a big step up in effort, especially when you compare the recommended belt replacement interval to the actual miles the cars are driven during that interval. I suspect the factory recommended procedure is engine out, so replacing belts with the engine in is already a deviation so it's kind of hard to nail process down As others have noted, I don't think you have much leverage on how the work is done and I doubt there is a standard for the amount of time required. I do think you have an argument for getting the A/C system recharged and perhaps the A/C lubricant level checked since that would have been part of the R&R process that was agreed to. Anything else such as a new dryer would have been an add anyway. At least the service is done and their name is on it!
