EURO vs US 550 Cambelt interval question | FerrariChat
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EURO vs US 550 Cambelt interval question

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by thibaut, Sep 17, 2005.

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  1. thibaut

    thibaut Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2004
    530
    London, UK
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    Thibaut A.
    #1 thibaut, Sep 17, 2005
    Hello guys

    I was thinking about cambelt change.
    I was under the impression that ferrari is recommending different cambelt intervals in the US and in Europe.

    I am right ?

    I think in europe recommendation is every 3 years ?
     
  2. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    Phil Hughes
    #2 ferrarifixer, Sep 17, 2005
    The belt part has been revised. A new kevlar re-inforced belt has a 3 year life, (but is semi-officially good for 5 years if you ask the right people)
     
  3. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
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    Mr. Doody
    #3 Doody, Sep 17, 2005
    imo, fwiw, you'd have to have as crew loose to change the belt every three years - unless you were hitting the mileage numbers, of course.

    is your interest practical or educational?

    as i understand, it there are/were two sources of discrepancy between US and Euro cars (both of which in theory are BS). the first was that US cars never had a time window - just a mileage window. my understanding is that Euro cars did have a time window. nobody i ever asked could explain why the US cars were mileage only - and my dealer told me there was no time-based data in any of the books. the second was that when F unveiled the newfangled, pre-owned warranty, they instituted this insane 3 year thing across the board (odds of belt failure over 3 years and 10K miles - zero - i'd warrant that too!).

    fwiw,
    doody
     
  4. thibaut

    thibaut Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2004
    530
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    Thibaut A.
    #4 thibaut, Sep 17, 2005
    practical... i have had my 550 for 2 years and would like to know what to say when my f-dealer will tell me to do the cambelts.
     
  5. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    Phil Hughes
    #5 ferrarifixer, Sep 17, 2005
    But remember with 550 it's an easy job....

    Belts only (without verifying or adjusting cam timing) takes only 4 or 5 hours and includes a coolant change. Add an oil change and oil/filters and you get annual service with belts for about 8 hours plus parts... no big deal.
     
  6. garysp7

    garysp7 Formula Junior

    Mar 28, 2004
    436
    Florida
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    Gary
    #6 garysp7, Sep 17, 2005
    My experience with a belt change and a major has been the car goes in with no problems and after it took me 8 months and 5 service trips with the car in the shop aboput 4 months to get it working right again.
    I have a good friend with a TR512 and an F40. Neither have ever had belt changes or majors and they both work flawlessly. As my friend says, the problem with a major service and belt changes are that you are taking the car apart in a major way and you hopr they put it back together right. Many times that is not the case, as was my experience.
    I would maybe consider checking my belts again in about 5 years and would be more concerned about them drying out. But all this about every three years is absolutely nuts to me.
     
  7. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    #7 ferrarifixer, Sep 18, 2005
    Gary, you have to have been unlucky. Don't lose faith. Servicing is important preventative maintenance, and long term you are way better off to keep it on schedule.
     

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