355 Searching for a 355, DIY question

You can do anything yourself on a manual 355. Anything.

 

It’s the same as any other car, except the engine drop every 5 to 7 years. I don’t do the belts, but everything else is very much DYI.

 

Also on the F1. The computer isn’t really doing anything you can’t do manually.

 

As an air cooled Porsche guy as well (993), I would say that the F355 is similar. That said, I find working on the F355 very physical even with a 2 post lift. Lots of climbing around the engine bay and contorting myself to get access. General maintenance is pretty easy. Oil changes are much quicker than they are on the 993. If you can handle a 964, you can handle a F355.

 

I’ve had a 930T and hated working in the 911 engine bay. The Ferraris are much easier in my opinion.

 

You have to have the SD1 and the knowledge to use it (it's not plug and play) to service the F1. I wish it wasn't true, but I just went down that road. Which for me meant towing to Atlanta and back, though that's still a bit of DIY.

 

Not true. My mechanic serviced the entire F1 system without a computer during the last major. I watched.

 

Well, they should advertise. I would have loved to know what I could have done. I took mine to Wade Williams and would not do it differently. A man's gotta know his limitations.

 

Like any different model vehicle, you have to know what to look for and what you're looking at. As a former aircraft technician, when working on a particular aircraft, I knew to look behind a particular item for broken rivets. If you overlook something on a major service and it breaks, you may have to pull the engine out again. You can build up your experience on smaller services, but everyone has their limitations. I did a lot more work on my older generation Lotus (brakes, steering, etc), but I wouldn't tackle the same things on my F355 because of the additional complexity and the requirement for Ferrari SD tools on some systems.

 

I guess it depends on what models you are talking about. My experience with 308 and 355 is that while not hard to work on, they are not designed with even basic servicing in mind. Everything is a giant pain in the butt. With my 07 and 14 Porsches it seems that things are pretty well thought out.

 

It’s a bit like bleeding breaks. Same nipples, etc. The computer just cycles the pump, which turning on the ignition will also do. Like when you first get in the car and the F1 light is flashing and the pump is running to build up pressure. I’ve not done it myself, just watched it being done. I’ve also watched it being done with the computer and understand what’s being done. It a very basic hydraulic based system similar to brakes.

If you search here, it’s been discussed.

 

no they're not.







sjd

 

Most service operations on 355 can be done with a lift in a garage and without a SD1/2. Although having the correct tools will make the work easier.

You will however need SD1/2 for some operations: recalibrate shock motors, ABS, F1, etc.

 

It's just a car.
Parts can get expensive...but you know that.
Ferrparts is a great used option.
Ricambi is your go-to guy for new.

To be clear, every 355 has the same gearbox. Manual or F1, each has the same 6 speed box.
How the input shaft and clutch are activated is the difference.

I do all my own work and have an F1 car that did not shift when I bought it. That was 10 years and 25,000 miles ago.
Having access to an SD computer would be ideal but not necessary.
Any local independent shop that might be a safety net for you?

 

+1

There was a gentleman living on an island in the English Channel and a long way from a safety net. He sold his F355 after a few months.

And some ABS, suspension and HVAC problems can be diagnosed much faster with a Ferrari SD tool. You save both time and money (by not buying bits you didn't need). e.g. If you have a suspension light, you can go straight to the faulty actuator rather than pulling the car to pieces and checking them all. Sometimes you just need a local guy with an SD tool to reset an airbag light.

Anyway, the FerrariChat forum is an excellent source of information. There's always someone willing to answer your questions. Some folks recommend the forum search function, but the results often give you outdated or incorrect information. You really have to know which search words to use. Anyway, the oldtimers can usually point you in the right direction.

 

Guys, what do you think should be done in a car that in 2016 had a very large service at Ferrari with a motor takeoff and belts, but it was 600 kilometers ago ?

 

if it has no other problems, drive it.

 

Thank you for your response. There are no problems in the car. I would like to do a manifold's inspection and modify the muffler.
So when should I do a belts inspection?
Car has now exactly 10.600 kilometers

 

5 years is the recommended now (between belt changes).

How old are the tyres?

 

tyres are like new from 2012.....
So should I do belts before next season or after?

 

Tires from 2012 are not new, regardless of the tread wear. I never drive on performance tires older than 6 years old.

 

sure will change them its easiest part.

 

I would change the tyres before worrying about the belts. Tyres may look good, but they have probably lost a lot of their grip at 8 years.

Lots of message threads on the forums about tires/tires + years.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/tyres-change.393898/#post-142012684

Some folks change them at 5 years. Manufacturers say 10 years absolute maximum, but that's not on a car like a Ferrari.