whats the cambelt change interval for the 456 in America? 5 years or every 30,000miles?
Not quite. It has never been 15,000 miles and was changed back to 5 years with the intro of the new belt. Image Unavailable, Please Login
RD, Would you guess that 5 years for 575 and above and 3years for everything else earlier is based on just no testing or lack of interest on Ferrari's part or a true mechanic difference in the 575 through current car's timing systems? I remember on 960 volvo's where the company really did have something structurally weird that cause early belt blowups. Volvo dropped change intervals from 60k inspection to 15k belt change. Sometimes something sounds like a duck looks like a duck but is not a duck.
FBB- I agree with Brian. If you put the 575M tentioner bracket on the 456s and 550s, you are already using the same belt and tensioner, so five years is just peachy keen. As you can imagine when Ferrari brought out the new belt in early 2002, there was no way they were going back and performing accelerated testing on used cars. Taz Terry Phillips http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=262598
I think it was as simple as there was a large large change in belt construction tech/materials. Those belts are not available for flat 12's. V8's are really much tougher on belts than the V12 so it all makes sense to me. The 12 was so much easier on belts I was never afraid of them at 5 years. I have seen a number of belt failures on 355 at less than 5 years and is why the time was reduced to 3. If I had a 355 or 360 I would be sticking to 3. 550/575/456 does not spool up near as fast as a V8 and is not near as hot. Those 2 factors plus the higher redline make a really big difference in belt life.
Brian, I am confused by your statement, as the service bulletin clearly leaves the 456 out of the upgrade. Also the 15,000 miles interval I have reported earlier, did not come from my imagination, but came from the local dealer and from 2 respected Ferrari independents.
Alfredo- The 456/M interval for cam belt replacement recommended by Ferrari in the maintenance schedule is 30,000 miles, with inspections at 15,000 miles, with no time interval specified. Valve adjustment is at 15,000 mile intervals. The bulletin Brian posted excluded the 550 and 456/M and said to change belts at 3 year or 30,000 miles intervals. The reason is what FBB pointed out, no accelerated testing on older V12s. Brian stated he thought 5 years or 30,000 miles was fine with the new belts No Ferrari tech data or technical bulletin calls for belt changes on 456/M cars at 15,000 miles, only at three years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. There were belt failures of cars with the old belts before they reached the 50,000 km or 30,000 miles, and this undoubtedly is the reason the early 575M warranty book showed a three year or 30,000 miles belt change before the new belts were introduced. The 550 and 456M schedules showed only 50,000 kms or 30,000 miles. There may have been a 456/550 technical bulletin on the belts, but you will have to ask Brian. I only have the 575M tech bulletins. Kam- The Ferrari technical bulletin that went out recommends every three years or 30,000 miles. Most of us believe the 456/550 with the new belt is safe for five years. It is whatever you and your technician decide is best. 5 years or 50,000 kms should be safe with the new belts. Taz Terry Phillips
They were wrong and they were screwing you.What can I say? It happens. The service bulletin does not leave the 456 out of the upgrade. It states in the model box "12 Cylinders". That means all, not just a few. But you are correct they leave the earlier cars out of the extended interval. Since they are the same motor and car I will leave it up to you to decide why. Personally I suspect it was a mistake. I no longer have any sources that I trust at levels in the organization that would know for sure. Find in print a 15 K interval for belt replacement. It is inspection only.
For 456 officially it is still 3 but if you put a 575 badge on it, it becomes 5. I will never suggest ignoring factory intervals.
You can also check the Owner's Manual of the car to which you are referring. The Owner's Manuals do state the intervals, and as Brian has said "15,000" miles never appears in any manual.
