Major Service Interval

Hi Tame,
You have touched on a topic that has been beat to death here, so get ready for some possible hostile replies. Also go to the search function and type in your question. You'll find all kinds of info on this subject, some of it quite entertaining. I have always gone with the 5yr. rule on all my previous cars and have had no problem. My current car a 88 Mondial 3.2 is at the 3yr mark right now. My mechanic said there is no reason to change The belt now, especially since the car is maintained and driven regularly. It's another thing however if it's a garage queen and sits static for very long periods of time. I have heard of some people going 10yrs+ before doing the belt change. I myself couldn't do that but to each his own.

 

Welcome to FChat. Definitely follow copterjon's advice about using 'search'. There's something of a running joke here about when the next timing belt thread will appear.

FWIW, Ferrari came out with a technical service bulletin (TSB) specifying that all V8 models that have timing belts should have those replaced every 3 years. Dealers refer to that TSB.

There's controversy and speculation as to why -- Ferrari out for more service revenue? Ferrari playing it overly safe? Garage queens that don't hit 30,000 miles in 10 or 15 years? -- but that's the official word, and it's a shorter interval than the one specified when the car was delivered.

A respected, independent mechanic who services my car here in San Diego also recommends that the timing belt be replaced every three years, although he has confirmed that a full 'major service' (includes a valve adjustment) isn't required every three years unless you hit the mileage limit -- not likely, given the occasional use these cars receive.

My opinion is that replacing the timing belt on a 308/328 every three years is a sensible precaution, gives your mechanic time to check the car thoroughly, and use the 'while you're at it...' opportunity to take care of other items conveniently done at the same time (seals and water pump being the obvious ones). The cars are 20+ years old - stuff can happen.

Again, this topic has been discussed ad nauseum...

 

If you don't have a high level of confidence that all the work that was supoosed to be done - was done, then assume nothing and have a good inspection and belt change done yourself by a trusted source. That's what you need to give you real peace of mind if you want a reliable car.

What is high retail? Go to the top for a freshly done over car, and then deduct the cost (or half if you feel generous) of the estimated cost of the 30K inspection, and then make that your top offer.

If this one doesn't work out, another one will come up. It always does.

Good Luck - I feel your pain - the 30K inspection on my 3.2 Mondial is coming up this year.

 

5 years is no problem. i can't believe many people are doing majors on mondials religiously every 3 years. that is paranoid.

 

I concur. Although now that you mention it's a Mondial T, it's an engine-out job and so the $ involved is higher than in the 308/328. But rfking has the right idea, IMO.

Uh oh, here it comes...

 

Some of the cars i looked at from the early eigthies had just had the belts done for the first time a few years ago.

My car has only 3k on these belts but from 4 years ago.

I'm on the 7 year plan myself.

 

My car had no maintenance history before 19,000 miles in December 04 - when cam belts were done but litle else. As far as I know that could have been the first belt servce. I have driven the car about 10,000 miles in a little over a year so as December of 07 comes up, it will have been 3 years and 11,000 + miles since belts were done.

My plan was to go ahead and do the 30K major pretty much on schedule and probably count on doing the water pump and clutch at the same time - just cause.

Anything else you guys think I ought to have done while it is in the shop?

Brake upgrade?
Stainless brake lines?
Replacement Fuel Injectors?
Custom exhaust ? (I still have all original US spec stuff - works great - sound of wood knocking - except for the occasional rogue "Slow Down" light easily extinguished/reset by cutting ignition switch off and on.

Sorry - don't mean to hijack the thread - still sort of "interval" related

 

Good luck. You'll probably make it.

 

I just finished the 8 year plan on the tr, full out very detail reviewed. I will be going 10 years this time around. I will be doing the same for the glass.

 

The seller would need to price the car accordingly, knowing full well that the new owner will drop $5-10K for the major (depending on where it is performed).

 

Has Ferrari communicated any failure numbers supporting the reduced cam belt service interval?

Just wondering what the calculated or actual probability of failure was.

 

Unless a new belt service was very recent, I would probably do them with any used Ferrari I bought so I could start fresh. If you have lots of money to spare, every 3 years won't hurt, but I know I would go a lot longer myself if I drove it fairly often.

Ken

 

I would buy the car and have the major done by my mechanic. My 328 was due for servicing when I bought it. When the dealer and I went over the paperwork, we established that it had been close to 4 years, so he dropped the price slightly.

There is a big difference between changing the timing belt and performing a major service. I think you benefit two ways by having it done on your watch.

First, you can confirm that it is done, and not on the cheap. You have an incentive to make sure your new toy won't have cracked fuel lines, seized bearings, a leaky water pump, etc. You're caring for the car for the long haul, not just through the title handover process.

Secondly, your mechanic gets to know your car, and you've begun by giving him a good bit of business. You will have questions and minor issues as well, so it's not a bad thing to have this relationship in place.

 

You and the seller both need to know the market for T's in need of (at least) a belt service. And of course, you factor in all the other things like mileage, paint, interior cosmetics, etc. If you think he wants too much, there are other cars out there. Who knows, you find out his was a good deal after all when you've checked out alternatives. Or he may wish he took your offer if you walk.

Ken

 

Check the owners manual. Also tons of threads on this. Bottom line is that in any case, 5 years is not a problem. Dealers tell you you need more than you do. Wonder why?

 

Let's be careful not to JUMP to conclusions here. People can SNAP back a quick response, but others know they are STRETCHIING the limits of service intervals. Belt threads go round and round, sometimes grind to a halt, but rarely fail completely. I would go for the car with a slight reduction and do a major service in two years.
BT

 

That was exactly my situation. Fortunately, the seller had impeccable records and acknowledged the need for a major in the near future. We agreed on a price and split the cost of the major 50/50, i.e. he deducted half the price of a major from the purchase price.

 

Sounds very fair.

 

Holy crap, I just figured it out. I cant believe it took me this long.