Does Low mile 550 need major service on time

I have a 2001 550 with 7500 miles and am getting different advice on when to do the major belt service. I have heard four, five or more years? What's the experience on this issue? Thanks

 

dont know where you live, but it is time OR miles whichever comes first. As you know repairs dont come cheap. An ounce of prevention is worth a WHOLE lot more than fixing a problem. In Florida the heat wears on the belts and rubber faster than you can put miles on the car.

 

I asked the same of my mechanic, and he told me that the belt service is just like buying insurance. You probably do not need it, but the alternative will be expensive!

 

I HAVE A 2000 550.

RULE OF THUMB

5 YEARS OR 15K MILES...

JUST WATCH THAT CAM BELT CLOSELY, IF IT SNAPS , GOODBYE CAR

BRUCE

 

Bingo. Better to do it and not pay the big price.

--Dan

 

I did two 550 belt changes in the last week. It's no big deal whatsoever. DO NOT BE SCARE MONGERED into needing it, but also don't be scared or misled with high prices for the job. The belts are a little pricey compared to other Ferrari models, but the labour is small.... If the car is otherwise perfectly healthy and clean, only 5-6 hours is needed.

The valve covers don't need to be removed unless you suspect a timing problem or the seals are leaking. There are external marks for timing referance, and these are fine to follow for servicing.

550's are supreme... Fantastic drivers and easy to maintain. I want one.

 

My (new) '01 with 11,xxx miles got belts in Nov. @ 11,000 miles. Cost of "15/30k" service was < $7,000.
But that allowed it to qualify for the 24 mo. extended warranty. Definitely worth it in my opinion.
Especially since the previous owner paid for it!!

James

 

FNA states, 3 yrs. or 30K. And if they did fail, 'snap' during operation although expensive I certainly wouldn't say goodbye.

 

I thought the revised 3/30k recommendation was aimed at the 360's due to the premature wear/failure of the tensioners rather than a belt life issue itself? I've seen higher mile 360's with loose belts, but it was a tensioner failure and not as much a belt stretching issue (did the belts while there anyhow)...I was still under the impression that the 550 was under the 5 year recommendation as were the 456 etc. Please correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while since I looked at a service book for the 550...

 

JASON, YOU ARE CORRECT ON YOUR INFO

THE 550 TECH MANUAL STATES 5 YRS OR 15K MILES FOR A SERVICE

IF THE CAM BELT SNAPS , YOU CAN KISS THE ENGINE GOODBYE ON A 550.............

 

I spoke with FNA about this two months ago. They stated, 3 yrs. or 30K for the 550. Still unsure? Contact FNA.

 

Bruce... The service schedule says 3 years. Most dealers say 2 years, but the new belts are definitely 3 years... although when the new belts first came out I swear I was told 5 years. As an independant, I tell customers this dealer info, but advise them that 5yrs is ok unless they try to sell the car, when it could hamper re-sale.

And if the belt breaks it's not "bye bye engine"... you'll just bend valves and maybe break a few guides etc. I rebuilt an engine on a 550 that was run without oil after hitting a rock. it seized the cam shafts on one bank and the belt broke. All damage was repairable. I had to make a few camshaft caps, that's all. (and replace the crank/rods etc).

The repair was less than half the cost of a replacement engine, and it received a few small improvements along the way.