The Factory "3 Year Timing Belt Change" Recommendation - Fact or Fiction?

The Factory "3 Year Timing Belt Change" Recommendation - Fact or Fiction?

The subject of how often one should change neoprene cam belts has been discussed, over and over again, on this Forum in the past.

This is not an attempt to resurrect this old ghost, but there is one particular aspect of this issue that I'd like to focus upon.

Specifically, on more than one occasion, it has been cited herein by some folks that the "factory" now supposedly recommends a 3 year timing belt change interval.

Ok, fair enough.

My question: I would like to learn more about this alleged time interval recommendation. How has this recommendation been made known? Is there, perhaps, an officially published Technical Service bulletin which the factory has recently issued, whereby this 3-year time interval is now documented to all in black and white?

Or, is this 3-year interval just more anecdotal hearsay that, maybe, some local service manager at some dealer has put forth, and which is now spreading and is being treated as Gospel by some folks?

If someone can demonstrate that this 3-year interval is now an official written factory service policy, then much of the rampant paranoia (which currently exists whenever this cam belt subject is raised) can be put to rest.

Cheers - DM

P.S. - Please do not derail this thread by posting your own opinions below about whether or not you, personally, feel this quoted 3-year interval is valid. We've already beat this question to death, and this is not the point of my raising this new thread.

 

You have it exactly right ....it IS a Technical Service Bulletin, applicable to all V8 engines, that's a few cars!.....it's been posted before, by Rifledriver, IIRC.....

I don't have the number right offhand, maybe Dave Helms or Chris Parr does????

It is "Fact"........next question....

 

The Technical Service Bulletins could be considered "Gospel", ........LOL!

There's another Real Thick Book of Life's Instructions, lot's of folks don't read or adhere to it, either!

 

Yep, been about a week, time for another timing belt thread.

 

Here tyou go Dave.

Rifledriver
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Consultant Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: No. Ca.
Full Name: Brian Crall
Posts: 7,396

TSB #1003 Dated 10-02 for 12 cylinder cars states 3 years or 30k miles

TSB #1215 Dated 5-04 For 8 cylinder models states 3 years or 30k miles

Both are still in effect and reflect the official position.

 

Well, this news certainly changes the complexion of any and all future neoprene cam belt longevity deliberations, doesn't it?

One can perhaps still discuss the pros and cons of the merits of the 3 year decision as an exercise of one's debating skills, but the firm documentation of the existence of these TSB's now renders any such discussions to be somewhat moot.

One final housekeeping detail before we all agree to pound the final nail into this discussion coffin: I would very much like to have a hard copy of these TSB's made available for my car's maintenance records.

Can someone, anyone, scan and post clear and legible copies of these TSB's herein so that we can all print a copy?

Thanks and Cheers - DM

 

FNA customer service could help, IMO....Rifledriver is no longer here.........'over there' sometimes, or I have his email.....

 

Thanks WaltP.........I agree Dave, those TSBs should accompany the original Owner's Manual and tool rolls for a car's lifetime..............yea, in HEAVEN maybe....LOL!

It's my opinion only the catalytic equipment and heat associated is the reason for the revision against my original 1976-77 info......I have one car on belts over 12 years old but it's going right in, once it's roadworthy...

It ran flawlessly from Portland OR to Houston TX to New Orleans that way though, in 2004....

 

Brian felt that way too, that's why he returned to repairing Ferraris vs. debating with Internet trolls.....

 

My 1999 Nissan Pathfinder just went 154,000 on original belt. Its been through extended temps in upstate NY and Florida.

 

My Honda went about 80,000 miles on the original belt. Then it broke and ripped apart the engine. I found myself walking down Interstate-40 rural Tennessee. Not a pleasant day.

 

They are open covers though and I didn't mean it melted them I just meant increased under hood temps in general.

That thermo muffler glowed in the dark though, so I may be full of it! LOL!

I had an ignition malfunction melting the ALUMINUM off the headers to drip onto the road, how hot is THAT???
A gf behind me was impressed and terrified for me, all at once!

 

This is a what can happen if your belt fails.
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Dear God I don't want that to happen to mine

 

Does anyone here have a copy of the pair of TSB's referenced above, or else know a Man Who Can post these for all of us to view?

Until that day when these TSB's are widely available to all of us, we'll still be recycling the whole "how-come-my-Toyota-cam-belt-lasts-100000-miles" arguement mode whenever this subject comes up!

Cheers - DM

 

My VW tdi went 150,000 before I changed the belt and it still looked very good. But if it did break then the whole engine was caputo top and bottom end on the newer tdi's. My belts on my 355 were done last year and they still looked great no cracks or wear on them. It was 4 years since the previous. I only do about 2,500 km a year so I may go 5 years this time. Everyone has there own opinion though. It wouldnt surprise me that a 355 belt would last 100,000 km but then its the supporting parts more than likely wont. Tensioners, support brackets, cam seals ect ect, even the water pump wont last that long. Many say that it is a disadvantage having to remove the engine in the 355. I think it is a bonus because it allows you to find other potential problems long before they go bang. With the engine out I can safely say that a good mechanic will find at least 5 other potential problems that he can avert.

 

Wise words 355.......

I'll see if I can find those TSBs........Ferrari of Houston has them on file I am sure....

 

Without a doubt. IIRC, Tmobileguy didnt make it 5 years. Anyone recall? On his, it wasnt the belt, it was a tensioner that failed. Was pretty ugly.

 

Agree, and apparently the 360 tensioner SUPPORT bracket cracks and fails!

Makes you glad all we 308GTB guys have to take off is the A/C!

 

"On his, it wasnt the belt, it was a tensioner that failed. Was pretty ugly."

Yep, that and the water pump are what I worry about in the 348 set up...

 

Do you have copies of the TSBs????

Mine only go thru '81 or so, on my 1977s........

 

here is a link. do the search and then you can order the appropriate TSB
or you can click on the "Get Summary" link on the right side and a pop-up box will tell you exactly what the TSB was regarding.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/tsbsearch.cfm

 

As we have discussed here many times - with and without Rifledriver - the 5-year, or 30,000 mile interval for belt changes was modified by FNA for the benefit of the 360's. It was unexpected that they made this recommendation to all earlier V-8 models with no evidence for its basis. So it is what it looks like; an attempt by FNA to create more regular belt service calls for their shops. Even if I owned a 360, I'd probably resort to the 5-year program anyway. These belts are a lot tougher than we think; they are also a lot easier to replace than we think.

Use whatever replacement interval makes you feel good, but when I replaced my 348 belts again after 4.5 years and 6000+ miles, they were in near perfect condition - Big DAH! Wasted money? Maybe, but insurance for the next owner.

 

Good idea, this one was, but the only Ferrari TSB available for 2002 involves steering linkage.

There's none at all listed for Ferrari for the year 2004, so it looks like this one struck out.

So ... what now?

Cheers - DM