1994 348 Spider Timing belt question

I just purchased a 1994 348 Spider. The previous owner gave me the service records for the last time the timing belt was replaced. It was replaced in 2002 when it had 12,000 miles. The car has 30,000 miles now so my question is: is it do for a timing belt service now or do I still have some time and miles to go?

Thanks,

Mortacci

 

The answer to your question is another question. First lets review the facts. You have 7 years and 18K miles on a rubber/fiber belt and tensionner bearings in unknown condition. Should the belt or bearings fail, the cost WILL BE a new or replacement motor. Should it not fail, the cost will be the same as doing it now but a few more miles on it.

In answer to your question I'm gonna ask as Clint Eastwood....Ya feeling lucky...Punk? (J/K)

Hmmm........Math seems fairly easy to me. I might wait till the end of the driving season but thats it for me. Looking forward to the opinions you get here. Should be fun.

<Well are ya>

Lane

 

Conventional wisdom says you should change it now, but it's your car, and you can do as you please with it. My own 348 has more time, but fewer miles, on its current t-belt, and it's doing fine. Things could change tomorrow, I suppose. One of the things that is a bit scary about the Spider is that it probably has the black plastic timing belt cover, and these have been known to fall apart, sometimes with catastrophic results. The timing belt job gives you a chance to inspect/replace the tensioners, the water pump, the cam seals, the hoses, etc., and to make sure that the "fences" on the toothed gears are intact. It's peace of mind that you can actually USE the car instead of just looking at it.

Forgot to say, congratulations on your Spider, and welcome to Ferrari Chat!

 

I would say for sure to do now....

the 348 unlike the other belt driven ferrari models uses only one belt to drive all four cam and the water pump not to mention the idler and tensioner bearings. this car I would stick to the 3 year/30k service interval.

Also, congrats on the new spider...they are great cars.


Regards, Jim

 

+1 ........ I don't like that single belt design.

But to answer the OP's question ....... the sooner you properly change all belts, bearings and water pump ...... the sooner you can drive it hard without fear of failure .....

 

Dude that single belt is a humungous boa constrictor of a drive belt. Nah, it's the King Anaconda of the belt world. 3 years is a total waste of money. 5 years is what most of us are using. I have NEVER had a belt issue. I drive 2500 miles annually and replace the snake every 5 years. So, definitely do it now and ask us again in 4-5 years.

 

I really hate these timing belt threads.......

 

As much as those that start with "price check"?

 

I agree with all, do it yesterday and don't wait any longer....

 

Would it?

What about the possibility of head removal and replacing about 16 valves?

The only reason I bring this up is because I see a lot of threads that equate belt failure with total engine loss and I don't think this is the case a lot of the time. I don't mean to minimize the seriousness of the issue but its not always a doomsday event.

 

It's time to change it.

If you are handy with tools you can do the job yourself and save a load of money.

 

do it now.....I had a similar situation, asked a similar question, got the same answers. Upon tearing mine down, I found I was headed for major issues and then some, had I not chosen to heed the advice of these guys who KNOW.....

 

Congrats and welcome to FerrariChat.

 

man you guys are patient...


I'm amazed every new timing belt thread actually gets three to five solid replies. and the OP never even posts again....

 

And yet you keep coming back....

 

Cambelt on mine was replaced in November last year after 7 years and 15K miles...half the top side of the belt was MISSING !!

Wish i took a pic of belt before i chucked it

 

I recently purchased a 348 spider with the last cambelt change in 2001. The car only drove 2.300 km since then.
Nevertheless I decided to put it on a trailer and have it fully serviced before I would do anything with the car. Now I have peace of mind and the car is a dream.

Don't take the chance. Have it replaced.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

glutton for punishment....

It`s kinda like a train wreck, don`t really want to go there but have to look.


Now I am just waiting for the next post of " Can I just change the belt without removing the engine?"


Regards, Jim

 

Perhaps the best advice to the OP...
Wait until the belt breaks...then do it the day before.

 

How often does the NSX need a belt change?








































What!!!!

 

Oh brother.

Why Sy? Why?

LOL! Wise-ass.

 

I just did the timing belt on my Porsche 928 today. It's longer than my 348's timing belt. Easily 6 feet long and then some.

 

What bent the valve? Dont tell me your gonna leave those pistons in... Sure I guess anything is possible.



Edit...Why the hell did I reply to this AGAIN....I don't want an arguement.

 

Usually replacing valves is enough. Depends on the amount of revs when the belt snaps.
If the pistons look unharmed it's usually okey. You can bend the connecting rods and also valves can brake, and that will cost you alot.

 

Glad to hear you lucked out with it NOT snapping and causing major damage and major $$$