Dodged a Bullet - Timing Belt

Pic is of a timing belt from my car being serviced after a couple thousand miles and 10 years. I've always been a 6 - 7 year guy on Ferrari timing belts but this one got away from me with some other things we had going on. Maybe I switch closer to 5 years.
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What F model? Does it have enclosed timing belts, or can road debris (like a rock) possibly get between the belt and a sprocket?

 

The tear does not look 100% belt related as Steve is hinting at.

 

F40

As I remember - the belt covers are open just like the 308

On the F40, there is a shield around the cam sprockets that should prevent debris from getting in there and there was no detent on the underside of the belt.

I'm just glad we caught when we did.

 

They normally age by cracking long ways not micro tears that propagate and manifest like the pic .
Also the teeth inside blunt off ….still grip the pulleys though.

From the pic can’t see any of this ^ .

We don’t know how long it’s been like this with its tear .

I suppose if it’s been stood unused for a long period the rubber night have developed a “ set “ and thus weakened it ? Dunno ?
Was it regularly used ie monthly ?

 

Used every other month or so.

 

The F40 SPC does show the timing belts are enclosed:

https://www.ferrariparts.co.uk/diagram/ferrari/f40/006-timing-controls

They aren't perfectly sealed, and there are still some openings. Of course, if the Mechanic forgets to put the rear covers in place before installing the timing belts, they can be left off . As the others mentioned, just some of the longitudinal fibers being broken looks more like damage, than degradation, to me, but, like you noted, doesn't really matter how it happened, and just needs to be fixed.

 

Thats not age related, its foreign object damage which is not terribly unusual. That could have happened the day after it was installed. Age of the belt does play a big part in FOD. A newer, more resilient belt can survive it much better than an old hard belt.

As far as the belt cover design goes we found more damage to belts the more enclosed they were. Debris will get in, if there is no escape route it stays in and does more damage. Ferrari was conflicted which was best and went back and forth enclosing them.

 

F40, dodged a bullet. Wow.

 

That belt looks surprisingly good for 10 years no cracks or dry rot. But yeah, 5 years is safer, especially on high-strung engines. Better early than exploded.

 

I have a Testarossa coming in for belts that will be approaching 20 years old. Just did a set of belt on an 2004 360, its last belt serive was in 2009. Before that, a 308 with 25 year old belts. I have yet to see a timing belt fail on its own merit on a Ferrari.

 

In that case "dodged a mortar shell" would also be an apprpriate thread title - maybe time to buy some lottery tickets

 

I have seen many.

 

I know of two 308 failures. One belongs to a member here.

 

I had a failure .. not sure if that is me you are referring to. It was a belt that shed its teeth.... and bent all the valves on the back side ( trunk ) side of the engine.... Happy days.

 

I know those hands!

 

loo, it was you

Yours and chassis 35493

 

What it boils down to, the 3 year "mandatory" belt change is simply stupid. No more than 7 years is my personal rule. I base that on experience.

 

+1 -- or 30K miles (but so few F Owners drive them that far in 7 years).

 

The car in the fore ground. That cars last belt service was 20 years ago. I have tried and tried to get him to do the service. No dice. It's here for a steering rack rebuild. When the owner says no..what do you do?
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Good day Tom,

I would get him to sign off that you recommended a belt service given its age, etc. In other words ...CYA. I know of several contractors (not auto related) where customers were highly advised to do something because of a failure risk. The customer declined, but the contractor knew better... and ensured that the advice was documented on the invoices including a sign off by the customer including their refusal to do anything. 6 months later a failure occurred causing over $20K in damage. The customer then tried to sue the contractor for the repairs... until the customer's lawyer saw the sign off and other documents.

These days CYA'ing only takes a bit of effort, but can really be beneficial at times.

Cheers,

Sam

 

Tom, every customer car is an advertisement for my work. When a client refuses to take minimum care of their car I just refuse to work on the car. It easy.
Cheapskate customers are like weeds. You tolerate one and you become a magnet for more. Word does get around when you show a willingness to support their stupidity.

 

I like that comment well enough to use it with my practice