Major Service Interval | FerrariChat

Major Service Interval

Discussion in '308/328' started by tame, Jul 15, 2007.

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  1. tame

    tame Rookie

    Jun 22, 2007
    10
    Connecticut
    Both local Ferrari dealers (New York City area) says to do a major service every three years - independent shops are split between letting the service go to five years and doing it every three. What is your opinion?
     
  2. copterjon

    copterjon Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2005
    1,541
    Mesa, Az.
    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.
     
  3. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    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...
     
  4. tame

    tame Rookie

    Jun 22, 2007
    10
    Connecticut
    I am thinking the same. Whatever the reason for the change, there is still a change. To err on the side of caution is the way to go. I am looking at a 91 Mondial T. What should I tell the seller or just turn the down outright and start fresh? The service is due next month and the seller is saying it is not due for two years under the old schedule. I am paying top retail for the car. He drives the 2K per year. He stores it 3 months a year during the dead of winter.
     
  5. rfking

    rfking Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2003
    785
    Italy
    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.
     
  6. wetpet

    wetpet F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    May 3, 2006
    10,210
    5 years is no problem. i can't believe many people are doing majors on mondials religiously every 3 years. that is paranoid.
     
  7. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    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...
     
  8. climb

    climb F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2006
    4,866
    Atlantic Beach Fl
    Full Name:
    Stuart K. Hicks
    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.
     
  9. rfking

    rfking Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2003
    785
    Italy
    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
     
  10. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    Good luck. You'll probably make it.
     
  11. MS250

    MS250 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 10, 2003
    26,575
    Full Name:
    Avvocato
    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.
     
  12. tame

    tame Rookie

    Jun 22, 2007
    10
    Connecticut
    What would you do if you were buying the car and the major service was due? What would you ask the seller to do?
     
  13. JohnnyS

    JohnnyS F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 19, 2006
    15,280
    Illinois
    Full Name:
    John
    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).
     
  14. JohnnyS

    JohnnyS F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 19, 2006
    15,280
    Illinois
    Full Name:
    John
    Has Ferrari communicated any failure numbers supporting the reduced cam belt service interval?

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

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    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
     
  16. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    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.
     
  17. tame

    tame Rookie

    Jun 22, 2007
    10
    Connecticut
    It all comes down to dollars and cents. What do you think a fair number would be? This is supposed to be fun. I woulod like to give him a number and either make it or not. The seller thinks I am being way too picky. If the shoe were on the other foot I believe he would be acting no differently.
     
  18. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    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
     
  19. sjmst

    sjmst F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 31, 2003
    9,854
    Long Island, NY
    Full Name:
    Sam
    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?
     
  20. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 21, 2005
    15,291
    FL / GA
    Full Name:
    Bill Tracy
    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
     
  21. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
    Full Name:
    Esteban
    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.
     
  22. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Sep 15, 2004
    5,465
    VIR Raceway
    Full Name:
    Peter Krause
    Sounds very fair.
     
  23. copterjon

    copterjon Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2005
    1,541
    Mesa, Az.
    Holy crap, I just figured it out. I cant believe it took me this long.
     

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