Should I worry?

Driving towards a track-day, my 1990 348 started to scream...
I pulled over and jumped into the enginebay. It sounded like a belt.
The noise was so overwelming I could not lockate it...
After turning the engine off and restarting it, the noise was gone.
I drove home with my tail between my legs.

I am hoping it was the airco compressor belt, but when I removed the distribution cover, this is what I found..
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I don't know about worrying but if I were you I would consider myself very lucky.Don't start it and get it to somewhere that can get the engine out to see what has caused that.

Maybe one of the belt guides has dropped.

 

Slipping alternator belt?


Kai

 

Something definitely was chewing into your belt and could have been the source of the noise. I concur to not drive it until you understand what caused that damage to the belt. I hate to say it but you may need to do an early belt change. Who knows how much the belt was stressed from that.

 

There's something going on there. The marks could be from debris that got between the belt and water pump or tensioner pulleys. It's definitely time to look into it. It looks like you have a fairly early car (1990), has the roller bearing (part #3) ever been replaced? It is a known failure that will make the belt run cock-eyed. It should be upgraded to a new-style ball bearing.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Tim,

I never changed bearing no3. I guess the only way knowing for sure, is to take it out...


Thanx for the responces!

Ben.

 

Looks to me like something was in there causing that belt to "chew up" a little bit.

Lucky you made it home safely Ben without ANY damage to that engine.

I would pull the engine out, try and find the source of the problem and then replace bearing #3 and everything else you need to do while you are in there mate.

Be sure to keep posting pics up for us, I am very interested in seeing what could have/may have got in there.

 

Something like a small stone or a nut got in there and crushed between the belt and housing at the bearing area. The bearing now has an indent causing it to stick when it gets hot thus the striations on the belt(not the chucks missing) If you look close you will see lines on the belt. This is caused by the tensioner bearing when not turning. Replace the tensioner and belt. This is of course just my opinion.

 

I guess your question is answered: should you worry? Hell yes. Should you be grateful to have gotten home with engine/valves etc. intact? Double hell yes. Looks like a rabid dog was chewing on the edge of that belt

 

you own a Ferrari, you either worry about everything, or just don't worry about anything

 

DAYUM! In the 10 years I've been on Fchat, that is the most BRILLIANT summation of the Ferrari experience I've read. Love it !

 

And many of the 355s out there have been driven by the latter.

 

+355

 

Thanx for all the replys!

Well, although the belt looks rather stressed, I still think it is good for some miles.
I think Tim's suggestion is the most plausible one ...
It is( in my mind) unlikely that an loose object has caused these marks. Keep in mind the bottem pulley has no cover and any loose parts will drop out.
I have seen simylar markings on missalined pulleys before, so the bearing no. 3 could be the one to blame...

I'll digg deaper!

Regards. Ben
Holland

 

If you're scared easely, buy a Porsche...

 

NO!

That belt is not good for some more miles. You car was SCREAMING at you that something went wrong. Do not ignore it's screams. Looking at that belt and the noise you described, it sounds like you had a bearing seize up. What bearing? You are going to have to remove the engine to find out. But what ever the case that belt is shot, and you are playing Russian roulette if you continue to run the engine.

 

Agreed, don't run the car even for a second!

 

Trust these guys.... they know what they're talking about...

Seriously...

Engine out, or think about finding a new engine.

Mike

 

My suggestion to "look into it" did not include a lot of additional driving. It will be necessary to drop the engine and replace the belt, regardless what other problems might be present.

Good Luck.

 

Take the engine out and inspect.
It should not take more then 2 hours labor or less to drop it if you find someone who has done it before. I had a similar issue where I heard an unfamiliar sound coming from engine. Did not drive car for 3 1/2 months until I could get the engine pulled. Blown out bearing...
Its your call but its a safe bet to check out what you heard and why you heard it
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Two hours to drop an engine?????

 

I could drop a Porsche 911 SC or Carrera engine in 2 hours but not a Ferrari 348 or 355 engine, even with a 2 post lift. That is a little bit optimistic. Working at a leisure but professional pace, it would take me one day.

 

+1

 

Great to see you picked up the odd noise, stopped driving the car and replaced that ****ed bearing!

Y'all remember Ferrari Fixer???

He told me years ago he can pull a 348 engine out in 2 hours all by himself. He has done this task countless times over the last 20 years mind you.

I've never done it, but I will have a GOOD go at it when the time comes. If he can do it in 2 hours, so can I. I love challenges like that and hold many "records" at work for quick times in doing certain tasks.

A few years ago, I remember reading some crap online in regards to replacing the air box on a 1979 911.

I had to do this for a friend here as it was a common problem for the air box to blow apart. I read on the Pelican Parts forum people stating they had to drop the engine, some dropped one side of the engine to get the air box out etc...etc..

Then I read some people took 6 hours, some 8 hours and some took 12+ hours to get that damn air box out. It didn't look like a 6 hour job to me and I thought I would have the height to get it out without dropping the engine.

I did the job, first time and by myself in 4 hours and having done it now.................I would remember the way it goes for next time and I reckon I could shave another hour off that time.

I will let you all know how long it takes me to pull the 348 engine out when the time comes.

 

The damage to the belt could be caused by friction from the waterpump bearings going bad.