major service due?

i purchased a 94 348 spyder with 18 K miles 1 month ago. the vehicle had last engine out major service back in aug. of 2000. only minor concern at the pre purchase inspection was minor cam seal leak on one side. if every 5 yrs is the rule of thumb for major, engine out belt service can i wait to have it done end of summer of 2005 (correct cam seal at the time engine out) or do it asap

 

You're probably fine to go to the end of the summer. While Ferrari now recommends "every 3 years", the fact is that many of the early 348's are JUST NOW getting their belts changed. Ferrari's aggressive timeframe for the engine out service serves two purposes: CYA for Ferrari, and $$ revenue for Ferrari service centers. My 348 owner's manual doesn't recommend a cam belt change until 52,500 miles, with no mention of "number of years".

My statements will bring about a number of "flames" I am sure, but this is just my opinion.

 

I've heard the right front cam seal leak (or weep) isn't unusual. Mine weeps there too -- not much, but enough to be annoying.

How many miles have been driven (how regularly) since that last engine-out service? Just check on Carfax or something for the mileage at each annual vehicle registration for a general idea -- assuming the odometer wasn't pulled. In my very humble opinion, rolling another 5K miles on a five-year old belt that's seen regular duty shouldn't be a problem. Keep a careful eye on the oil level, and occasionally look underneath to see that your alternator and/or other stuff isn't getting too coated with oil from a weepy cam seal.


Let's see what the real hardcore folks (ernie? jkuk?) think.


-Daniel

 

OK, my view.

Cam seal.

I would leave it until the engine out belt change and then do both banks

That's what I did but then, as had only just bought the car, I was getting a full 30K service/belt change done anyway.


Belts

As for belts, I do not plan to change them for another 4 to 5 years. My only nagging doubt was that I should have changed the tensioner bearing when the belts were done.

John

 

No flame here. My Mondial's manual states the same....52,500 miles. Belts were done 2 years ago @ 62,000 miles and i'm planning on having them changed again in about a year @ 100,000 - 110,000 miles. Presently has 92,000 miles on it.

Tom

 

I would develop a relationship with the guy that is going to do the work and try this one on. Drive it all spring/summer/fall and do the major during winter (you prob won't be using it anyway) on his schedule if you get some kind of deal. Lots of Ferrari specialty shops can get a little slow in winter. I schedule many of my regular customers for major work in winter at a slightly reduced price to insure the shop will be busy.

 

I touched on this in another thread but bares repeating. The US requires the 52.5k mile warrenty. I would assume a new Ferrari's belts etc. is good for that mileage within 5 years of manufacture. BUT that doesn't mean the new belt on an old car will last another 52.5k miles unless all related components are also replaced. I've heard the tensioner is a very common cause of belt failure on a 308. Also, if oil leaks on the belt and weakens it, Ferrari would say you didn't have a proporly serviced car if a failure occurred in the warrenty period. Plus, how many new Ferraris were driven that many miles in 5 years? You can see Ferrari figured their exposure was limited.

So if one was to extend belt changes to 52.5k miles, I would think it's important to change all the ancillary componets as well and not have a cam seal leak as well. Just my opinion as I don't own a Ferrari!

Ken

 

I have seen many Ferrari belts go 50k miles.....in 5 years. Their enemy is time.

 

I purchased my 348 with 5050 miles in 7-02 a major was never done. PPI indicated that there was a small cam seal leak.
I drove the car for about 8 months or 2500 miles and then for piece of mind had the major done. Upon inspection of the old belt, both the mechanic and myself thought it looked perfect.

2.5 years later I now have a little over 19,000 miles.
The car runs beautifully.

 

It's amazing: every time I involve myself in a discussion about Ferrari's latest recommendation as to service intervals--whether at the dealer or elsewhere--I hear a different thing.

I've heard that Ferrari recommends changing the belts every 5 years; then I heard four years; I've heard three years; I've heard two years. I don't think any of us knows exactly what Ferrari wants us to do with regard to service intervals. All I know is that they want my money!

I will just tell you what Ferrari said back when they produced the 348s.

The 348 Workshop Manual says:

to "change the timing belt" every 24 months or 35,000-45,000 km (about 21,000-27,000 miles), whichever comes first! It says to "check the condition of the timing belt" every 10,000 km. I suppose this is because the 348 belt wears rapidly, since it is one big belt covering all four camshafts. See for yourselves.

That said, I will not be changing my timing belt every 2 years, nor every 3 or 4 years. I will "play it by ear." I drive my car a lot, so supposedly that's better for the car and the belts. I will have the belts "inspected" along the way and perform the work if necessary. I'm thinking 4-5 years.
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I went through the same heartache, but Rifledriver'***** the nail on the head I think. I'm going to bite the bullet and get the change done BEFORE the recommended mileage 'cos the belt is about 5 years old now. Rubber seals HATE standing around dry and doing nothing, so I guess this is part of the cambelt change story too. Probably the same reason why a Ford Scorpio cambelt (identical to F355) goes longer - Fords tend to get driven and 'exercised' a lot more than F355's!

It's also true even in Germany with the winter servicing - e.g. Ferrari Koenig in Munich do 10% Winter sale off parts until February.

Here an extract from a 1994 348 GTS manual:
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thank you for all the input. i am convinced to avoid a problem i will do the major engine out service middle to end of winter 2005(mid Feb). some of you are recomending an authorized ferrari dealer (wide world of cars) to do the service yet many of my porsche enthusiasts are highly recomending an independent tech who has ONLY serviced ferraris/porsches for several yrs.He worked for Autosport on long island for many yrs. are there any advantages to using a larger outfit over an independent?

 

Just make sure it is someone that knows those cars. There are good and bad independants and dealers. The guy you speak of has done them for several years, I know great mechanics that have done it for less time and butchers than have done it all their lives but a good recomendation is hard to beat.

 

Advantages of a dealer include ease of getting an appointment and quick turn around once they have the car. This is mainly due to their having more skilled Ferrari mechanics on hand than an independent shop.

You can't go wrong with Wide World of Cars. Kevin, Justin, and the crew will take excellent care of you and your car.

Tom