3 years or 5 years - which is correct for a belt service

I have six month old belts, I have 15 year old belts, the engines sound almost the same, until they make that terrible noise!

 

I would replace at 5yr/50K or at a max 7yr/50K -- after that you are living dangerously..., but don't worry Bernie Madoff will be happy to buy you a new engine should you have a snap/crackle/pop.

 

Don't know if it's the most current but here it is...

But I like Husker's version better
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Someone can help me out here, and for those of you who have been on Fchat for 10 years bear with us newbies...our owners manuals say every 5 years I believe, but I will check tomorrow. In any case, MY Understanding is the reason that Ferrari came out with the change notice listed above was that the 355's were blowing up engines all over the place, so to cover thier arses, Ferrari came out and said ALL 8 cyl. engines needed the belts changed every 3 years.

What say you all?

MB

 

I wouldn't say all over the place but we did lose some motors due to belt failures at less than 5 years. In the 70's when the belt drive motor started they really drew a number out of a hat because they had nothing to base life on. Almost all manufacturers have continually adjusted the belt life downward because of real world experience. And remember they were adjusting that number downward while adjusting all other service intervals upwards due to competitive pressure. Think of all the commercials over recent years about how far you can go between services. It has become a selling point industry wide. It is a factor in Ferrari's decision to go back to chains. If Ferrari was really trying to help dealers sell belts the 430 would have belts. In reality Ferrari doesn't give a rats ass about their dealers. Their attitude towards them is the same as it is toward buyers "If you don't like the deal we offer, step out of line. There is 50 more behind you that do".

 

very, very interesting stuff...

 

Hi Brian,
Whats the cost for a new 355 engine?

 

Lots more than 20 grand. And no reason belts need to be 8 grand.

Math is way off but so is the rest of his thinking.

Put it this way. 355s are close to the point if you blow up a motor it isn't going to be worth fixing. Just call Ted Rutland and sell the salvage. The cost really is a car killer.

 

There is a great article in the current issue of The Prancing Horse dedicated to this very topic!

 

Guys...I'm no proponent of neglecting your car. No way I would go 18 years between changes or even close to it. I know how I personally drive my Ferrari, and would probably go 7 years without losing a second of sleep over it. My car is in tip-top shape and I don't skimp on stuff that needs addressing. My 30K service was exhaustive, which is why it was nearly 8 grand. Rollers, bearings, water pump, new oil pump kit, lines, hoses, you name it.

As a side note, it's interesting how many 30K services are only half-jobs and don't get everything done that should be. All 30K services are not equal. I am sure Brian can vouch for that.

 

Updated service bulletin. Puts all questions to rest.
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Exactly !! Why waste belts that are still on the pulleys ?? I do this with my tires too, once the treads wear off they are officially racing slicks ...... and .......... if I can't see the air inside them tires ...... then they still have life to go !!!!

 

Why does this sound familiar? V12 bulletin attached.


Fxr- If you had not mixed fonts, you could have fooled me.


Taz
Terry Phillips
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I wonder if this thread should be put to rest as well

 

So some one can start a new one with exactly the same crap regurgetated next week?

 

I asked three "respected" shops in my area whether to do the belt service on my 355 - it has been 4 years this spring. about 5,000 miles. All 3 said I may as well wait a year. Car was in S.Cal, now in NY in a dehumidified, heated and a/c garage. I'm waiting a year. By then, the $7,500 the dealer quotes will either buy one loaf of bread, or a hundred acres in Greenwich, CT.

 

36, 42, 48, 54 or 60 months? I am tired on ONLY two choices (3 or 5 years)....

Retire the THREAD... If they dont like the 3 yr interval, don't read the manual literature or turn a blind eye to the recommendations and risk it. Just dont drag us all into this again, and again, and again.

 

Just to stir things up I was going to post the bulletin that stated two years on the TR's from years back but then complete confusion and chaos would rain.... A belt change was made and the interval was upped to 3 years back then. Maybe, just maybe there is method to their madness???

 

I say every 5 years at minimal mileage. It occurs to me that in 2 cars over 9 years, I have done 3 majors with belts. Hmm, I am actually averaging every 3 years!

 

Well Vince, I'm for one glad you took such good care of your cars, especially the red 348 spider that now sits in my garage!