Burning up A/C belts on 328? | FerrariChat
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Burning up A/C belts on 328?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by rob lay, Mar 26, 2007.

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  1. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2000
    64,135
    Southlake, TX
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    Rob Lay
    #1 rob lay, Mar 26, 2007
    I've had the 328 almost 7 years now and have put over 25k miles on it. The only thing at all that has been a constant problem is the A/C. Initially we fought through leaks, weak fan, and water not draining. After 3-4 years that is worked out, but the past 2 years I've been burning the belt up.

    Symptoms are the exact same every time. Turn the A/C on and about 5 minutes later it starts smoking. First time it happened I didn't know what was up and it burned until it broke. The past couple times, I turn the A/C off as soon as it starts smoking. The inside side of the belt is the part initially burning.

    We first started with the compressor, thinking a compressor was going bad causing these symptoms. Well, we've been through several compressors now, even trying different brands. This last time we did compressor along with complete flush of the system as recent theory was dirty system causing the compressor to fail. All alignments double checked.

    So this last time the system was completely gone through, but it happened again, so evidently the magic bullet hasn't been found.

    What is everyone's experience with A/C belts burning up?

    Thanks,
    rob
     
  2. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
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    Tim Keseluk
    #2 2NA, Mar 26, 2007
    It could be a glazed/worn pulley that is allowing excess slippage. Certainly it is slippage that is causing the heat buildup. I've always thought the belt/pulley arrangement on these cars leaves a bit to be desired but usually it's that skinny plastic alternator belt.
     
  3. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    #3 Rifledriver, Mar 26, 2007
    Could be the pressure is too high and that can be a bad expansion valve or a non operational condensor fan. While moving the condensor fan is superflouous but is really needed when stopped or at very slow speeds in much the same way as a rad fan. When the condensor gets hot the pressures skyrocket.

    The temp switch that operates the fan is a problem area.
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    #4 Rifledriver, Mar 26, 2007
    Should check the high low switch too. If that is bad and there is moisture in the system or the condensor fan I mentioned the belt could pay the price.
     
  5. Peter

    Peter F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Dec 21, 2000
    6,441
    B.C., Canada
    #5 Peter, Mar 26, 2007
    I had a problem with the bearings in the tensioner pulley which seized up one time and it didn't take too long for the belt to melt thereafter.
     
  6. spaghetti_jet

    spaghetti_jet Formula Junior

    Jan 5, 2005
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    Europa
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    Bob
    #6 spaghetti_jet, Mar 26, 2007
    Does the compressor have exactly the right pulley? Since it's straightforward to source A/C compressors from outside the Ferrari service organisation maybe the wrong pulley (that looks right at first glance) has inadvertantly been fitted sometime in the past before you owned the car? A possibility given your comments on recurring A/C issues.

    Edited to add, this could apply also to the compressor itself: looks right but not quite...

    Just a thought.
     

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