355- what is required of "30K" service if done due to time vs. mileage

I had full service a few months ago (cambelts etc) and the guys just checked everything and anything that looked/felt like it MAY need changing they changed. In the end I only needed a tensioner bearing and water pump bearing kit.

I would imagine they dont need replacing every service but the question is do you trust the service guys to have checked everything!

 

Andrew, I just bought a 328 due for its 30K and asked similar questions, but I'm relatively new to this and will defer to the more technically savvy guys here...

The tensioner bearings are changed during the belt replacement, because a broken belt is only one of the things you want to avoid through preventative maintenance. If there is any play (or 'slop') in a bearing, that could let the belt jump, with bad results.

The compelling reason on a 355, in addition, is that the cost to replace the bearings is minor compared to the labor involved to remove the engine. The odds of a bearing failing in 8K miles (or less - if they were replaced once already) probably aren't large, but if one of them should show any deterioration in the next couple of thousand miles, I believe you'd have to pay for another engine out service just to get at it.

(I don't know about the thermostat...)

 

When I checked with the dealer in reference to having service done on my 328 they informed me that they will only do a complete 30k service and will replace everything no matter how many miles since the last service because it was over 5 years. The only parts that they would inspect were the water pump, clutch, brakes and tires. I don't understand why such a great car needs a rebuild every 5 years even if you only put 3,000 miles on it during that time.

 

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11829

 

355 service..should include the following
New timing belts
2 new tensioner bearings. These are very costly to replace. Some people elect to change them every second service. If yours have not been changed i would do so at this point.
2 new tensioners..these have a bit of a tendancey to leak and should be inspected closely.
Cam seals and o-rings
cam cover gasket kit
clutch inspection
fluids replaced
hoses replaced which need it
water pump inspected. I have only ever replaced one 355 water pump due to leakage. Its quite a robust unit.
Accessory belts replaced
Alternator belt tensioner bearing..very common to fly apart.
Inspection of the cats and other exhaust system components
Clean an detail engine while its out
replace spark-plugs, fuel filters, air filters and anything else that may need attention.

There are other little things, but this is basicly what it is.

 

It is a game of chicken, do you blink to avoid the potential $12,000 repair bill if a belt breaks? The repair hysteria is making Ferrari dealerships a lot of revenue, far more than new car sale profit margins. In Ferrariland a few people a year experience a belt failure, these instances are used as justification for the maintaince. If you look at the larger picture, ask yourself what percentage of Ferraris that went over the specified time limits experienced a belt failure? I do not know what the aforementioned percentage is, nor does anyone else.

If you take a decade as your time table, you would be looking at three $6,000 services, or $18,000. It could very well be cheaper to skip the services and come up with the $12,000 when needed. There is a chance that a once a decade service would not lead to a major failure, thus saving you 66%. Each of us has to define our risk tolerence. I am due for a belt change this spring, the mileage does not dictate the change, only the Ferrari maintence calendar insists it need be done. I am undecided at this time and I am leaning towards giving it another year (perhaps 1,500 more miles).

 

you may wanna check here

http://emelbon.tripod.com/eugeniosferrariservice.html

 

They do have good prices.....before I sold my car the dealership told me that it would be a minimum of $4,900 for the 30k service.

 

If you really want to flame this thread, suggest that the service can be done on a 355 with the engine IN.