Major Service Limit | FerrariChat

Major Service Limit

Discussion in '348/355' started by RandyT, Sep 21, 2018.

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  1. RandyT

    RandyT Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2016
    256
    Calabasas, CA
    Full Name:
    Randy T
    First of all, I have never hear of anyones 348/355 belt breaking, even from certified Ferrari mechanics. To me it seems like a waste of money changing it every 4-5 years (as Ferrari recommends) if you don't really have to, especially with today's higher quality belts. So, let's settle this myth once and for all...

    How many years can you safety push the dreaded belt service?
     
  2. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
    16,047
    Orchard Park, NY
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    Dave Lelonek
    I'm on 6 now with zero worries. Probably won't do mine until next winter after I add on to my garage.
     
  3. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    12,661
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    The myth is believing that you can settle this. It is your car, do what YOU want. That is no myth.
     
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  4. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,282
    South East
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    Jimmie
    Every time a thread begins like this someone comes along and points to the relevant thread !

    Beyond that you are ignoring that the bearing is typically the more decisive element in this equation
     
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  5. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 13, 2004
    7,113
    Michigan
    My red car has belts from 2007.
     
  6. steved033

    steved033 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Apr 12, 2017
    7,672
    Atlanta, GA
    Full Name:
    Steve D.
    I feel better.

    Date code on my belt is december 2010. if other maintenance/upgrading is an indication, then it has the hill bearings in it. of course, if other maintenance/upgrading is any indication, it was installed by chimpanzees with 3/4 drive impact guns.

    sjd
     
  7. nismodrifter

    nismodrifter Formula Junior

    Jun 11, 2008
    528
    YYC/YVR
    Full Name:
    Navdeep
    Excellent Friday thread. I was thinking about this yesterday, as my major was donein 2016...and vehicle has travelled perhaps 150kms max since.
     
  8. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,282
    South East
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    Jimmie
    Even the most pessimistic would call this advance planning !
     
  9. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
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    Wade O.
  10. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
    Full Name:
    Wade O.
    But to answer your question Randy... I plan on driving mine enough to exercise its systems and won't reach the next 35,000 mile interval anytime soon.
     
  11. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,548
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    There's no answer to the OP's question.

    It can go at anytime for any reason.
     
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  12. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    97 spider just had the first belt service this week 15k miles
    Belt looked fine, tight no wear to speak of tensioners were in good shape also. The only issue was the water pump shaft had some play.
    Very characteristic of mild temp SoCal cars they just dont age with climate controlled weather

    :)

    xo
     
    carnutdallas likes this.
  13. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,624
    Central NJ
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    Eric
    Its more than the belts, its the tensioners, cam belt and timing chain. 2 years is paranoid, 3 is eager, 5 years is probably right, some go 7 or more. Stuff can go at any time for any reason so bet to maintain for good measure. 3-7 seems a good balance between cost and peace of mind. More you drive the longer you can go it seems.
    Good luck!
     
  14. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,485
    Lake Villa IL
    Drive it till it breaks then report back.
     
  15. Drock28

    Drock28 Formula 3

    Jan 13, 2013
    1,429
    Montreal
    Full Name:
    Tony
    I sat here for 5mins looking at the reply box and had nothing useful to contribute.
     
  16. fdekeu

    fdekeu Formula Junior

    Jun 19, 2008
    582
    Belzium
    Full Name:
    Frank
    348 belt is more vulnerable than the 355 ones
    355 are shorter, later technology
    I change the 348 every 7yrs
    Plan to change the 355 ones every 10yrs (actually it was changed 13yrs ago)
     
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  17. Cauf61

    Cauf61 Formula Junior

    Jul 12, 2016
    557
    Belgium
    Full Name:
    Patrick
    As mentioned in another thread. ALWAYS change the tensioners when changing the belt.
    This few hundred euro or dollar more will ( maybe ) save you 10.000-15000.
    And buy good tensioners so you are fine for 5-7 years normal use.
     
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  18. tres55

    tres55 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2012
    3,479
    Canada
    Depending on how often you drive and how hard, the local climate, the environment in which the car is stored, etc. etc.

    I have no doubt Ferrari is erring on the side of caution with their recommended service interval. I personally don't see an issue going over 5 years if you're not driving much...that said I would make it a point to inspect the belt with a scope when getting to that 4-5 year mark for some extra peace of mind.

    I had a full engine out done when I bought my car just so I knew where it was at going forward.
     
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  19. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,252
    Listen to the tensioner bearings at least once a year with a stethoscope. As long as these are running smoothly; I, personally, will let the F355 belts go 10 years. If, however, there is a <difficult to reach> water (coolant) line break, or oil seepage from the cam boxes, or a host of other insundries occur, it is time to yank the engine and straighten it all up.
     
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  20. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
    16,047
    Orchard Park, NY
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    Dave Lelonek
    You guys with the tensioner bearings crack me up. I have CNC machines that run 12K RPM 8-10 hours per day for years with zero issue and higher loads. Changing tensioner bearings every 3-5 years is beyond crazy.
     
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  21. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
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    Tim Dee

    And the 355 bearing spin at what rpm like 200 max LOL
    Just get some new VTL bearings and press them in, good to go another 10 years, ooops hope I did not let the cat out the bag :)
     
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  22. bballto

    bballto Karting

    Mar 10, 2014
    155
    Let your conscience be your guide.
     
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  23. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,548
    Ontario, Canada
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    Mike
    As opposed to your wallet? :D
     
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  24. Nader

    Nader Formula Junior

    Feb 12, 2011
    990
    East of Seattle
    It seems like 90% of the engine problems that are reported occur soon after a major service.
     
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  25. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    Seems about right with today's certified maniacs . :)

    xo
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