Here's a couple of examples of how surprisingly durable Ferrari timing belts can be. My dad has a 1981 308 GTSi that still has the original timing belts. They're around 25 years old! My uncle has a carb 308 GTS that may or may not have had its belts changed in its lifetime. Knowing those two guys, I don't think that they will ever replace the belts, either. You may say that they're gambling by taking their chances, and you'd be right. But the gamble is paying off. Collectively, they've avoided 50 years of paying for belt changes. How much money has that saved them?
I'm not suprised you are being told to change your belts more often, because the dealer and independent service shops make good money on it. I'm going to return the question asking if you've looked at this site before? If you have, then you would know that it is total bull ****. Belts rarely ever fail. Call Norwoods up and ask them what they think about belts. They've been doing it 25+ years and have seen 500 different Ferraris go through their shop. If you are under warranty, that is different. If you aren't under warranty, you are being bent over a barrel and being taken advantage of if caving into this bull ****.
Right you are, Rob! I just checked a 328 owner's manual, and it requires replacement of the camshaft belts at 52,500 miles. I couldn't find any mention of age.
A recent communication I received from Ferrari of Seattle, does show that the new FMNA recommended service intervals for most Ferraris, back to the 308 series is now 3 years/30,000 miles. Whether this is absolutely necessary is debatable, but that is what FMNA appears to be recommending for the moment. Dave
The point wasn't if it was BS that they needed changing sooner than 5/50 but I find it hard to believe that you never heard the 3/30 as you stated. By the way the belt on my 348 hasn't been changed since Aug 2001 and I have no intention of changing it before Aug 2006. Also it isn't only Ferrari Dealers and service centers trying to make a living off timing belts . I have a 2003 Honda Accord that I have put 72K miles on in the last year and a half and the dealer told me I should change the belts at 60K miles because of the "humidity" in New Orleans.
Could not help notice and read this thread.. I have owned a Mondial QV only since September last year. I have been told (independant Ferrari specialist) that I should consider changing the cambelts even though they were replaced in 2001 less than 2K miles ago. Not sure what to do myself.
Check the chart on page 58 of your owner's manual. It says to replace every 25,000 to 37,500 miles. I assume that the range would depend on the condition when the tension was checked at either the 15,500 or 28,000 mile maintanence. Again, no word on age. How many miles do you have?
its a classic case of conflict of interest....mechanics and dealers stand to make huge profits if people do the expensive belt changes more frequently than neccessary..even the japanese car dealers tell you to bring your toyota in every 3 months even though toyota recommends once a year...
My main concern for doing the belt service before 5 years wouls be lack of driving, when the car sits for a extened period of time the tension is on one spot on the belt. If the car is driven reguarly then I would not see a problem with 5 years or more depending on what your wallet can risk. Now 2k miles over 4 years ....... I let you decide if that has been driven reguarly
I cannot help but read every thread related to cam belts and I feel confident Ferrari's recommendation of the three year interval is ridiculous. If Ferrari started recommending belt replacements within three years due to them breaking in the earlier 360 engines I am suspicious. I am confident they were trying to cover their own a$$ on the cam variator defects so in the event of failure they could blame the owner and deflect the liability for repair.
I'm more concerned about the cam end seals...I've seen the old ones (with the ridges) pop out spewing oil all over the cam belts...the new redish color seals are much better...but any sign of leakage and I would recommend changing them and the belts.
Thanks guys. I checked the service manual when I got the car and as you say it quotes "25,000 to 37,500 miles". I would never of questioned it but for the specialist mentioning it. I too considered the issue with the car not being used over the winter months but it is started every two or three weeks and allowed to run to operating temperature appx 20 - 40 mins. It is always backed out of the garage and sometimes even driven on to my neighbours drive. My wife has an MX5 that was not used over the winter there was never any issues with that. I am going to phone my local Ferrari dealer today to see what their view is. Phoned my local Ferrari dealer and they agreed with the comments made by the USA dealers comments on this thread. They are now saying every three years, regardless of mileage and I am guessing this is regardless of the car age. I think I will have the belts changed at it's next major service in April. thanks again. My view is although this may be Ferrari's (and other specialist), way of making more money, personally I do not fancy taking a risk. Also in my case the car is not used "properly" from October - April it seems reasonable to do this.
To each his own. Heard it all 3 years, 5 years, 30K miles. What ever makes you comfortable. I'm looking at 5 years 30K which ever comes first, it will be 5 years probably around 15-20K. Also, this time I will be doing them myself.
My 512 manual says 24000=32000miles, most Ferraris fall more into the age of the belt factor that actual miles. The problem is also you don't know how old the belts are from the manufacturer, have they been sitting in a warehouse for 2 years?
