30K Question (F355)

Hey all, I was wondering what the 30k service really means in terms of mileage:

--Does the 30K service mean that the service should be performed at 30,000 k/m (hence the 30K), which is 18,641 miles?
--Or does it mean that the service should be performed at 30,000 miles, which is 48,280 km?

I have searched and read that it should be performed 3-5yrs regardless of miles/km's, but i was still wondering since there is a difference of about 18,000 km potentially. Also, has anyone ever gone past the reccomended km/miles or past 5 yrs? By the way, I have a 1998 F355 Spider.

I have never worked on a Ferrari in the past but I do a lot of my own maintenance on my other vehicles, I was considering doing the 30K on my own. Would that be a wise decision? I do not have a lift, so I know it will be a little more difficult to work with. I have seen the Engine out threads, but they were mostly for 348's, I did not find one for the 355 motor. From what I have read is that they should be similar to work with, and I would definately try to follow the 348 engine out threads. However, since there is not a step by step for the 355 I am not sure if the differences in the motor and mounting (there must be at the least a few) would cause a problem.

My main concern is the timing belt itself, the 30k kit comes with many other parts but I am mostly concerned about the timing belt. How big of a concern should the tensioner bearing be, once the motor is out they will be changed anyway, again just the curiosity asking.

I am not sure when the last time the plugs or wires were changed on the car, should I be purchasing those as well. If I'm going to do it, If... May as well do it right.

Thanks in advance

 

I'm guessing no one wants to touch this?

 

The 1998 US 355 handbook shows the service schedule in section N4 with all the mileages in miles

At the end it comments about minor servicing annually if the miles have not been covered

There's a million threads here about changing belts and going past three or five years - what ever you decide the consensus seems to be to change the bearings with the belts

 

Thanks for the reply. So I will take that it is 30,000 miles not 30,000km.

I wasn't too worried about the time period about doing the belts I am going to do them regardless that was more for my own knowledge.

I was mostly concerned about doing the work myself, I have gone through over 180 pages in the 348/355 section and did not see a step by step engine removal for a f355. Maybe I missed it, could someone direct me to the appropriate thread if there is a step by step for the f355. I saw a few for the 348, just not 355.

 

Here is a link with step-by-step VERBAL instructions for F355 engine removal, with a link to a 348 Thread.
LINK: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32653&highlight=drain+radiator+355

With regard to cam belt tensioner bearings, Hill Engineering makes the best ones - make sure you buy them from Ricambi or Hill Engineering. You should really give some thought before you tackle a 30K major service on an F355, yourself. These really are not cars to "learn on", as the repercussions of mistakes can be very, very expensive. If you decide to do it, read, read, read...and ask questions if you have any doubts at all. Good luck.

Here's a link for an all-inclusive 30K major kit from Ricambi.
LINK:http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=261105

While you have the engine out, you may as well rebuild your alternator (a known trouble item in the F355).
LINK: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124504&highlight=transpo

You may want to also re-build your water pump (search on eBay for the link) and change your water hoses to silicone ones from Ricambi.

Finally, the OEM wires are very expensive. Many people have switched to Kingsborne wires.
LINK: http://www.kingsbornewires.com/product.sc?categoryId=22&productId=855

 

Scott posted some good advice above, +1 to all of it.

I'll assume you found it already from searching, but here's my 355 engine out thread:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181966&highlight=355+f1+engine

It really was very similar to the 348 procedure. Some minor points were different but nothing that you can't figure out if you're mechanically inclined enough to tackle this in the first place.

Happy wrenching!