[Matt Tait]

Can anyone please tell me how many years apart the 328 belt service is ? 2, 3 or 5 years.

[Granucci]

Originally Posted by Matt Tait

Can anyone please tell me how many years apart the 328 belt service is ? 2, 3 or 5 years.

3

I'll say it again: THREE ;0

I have, sometimes threw the dice at almost four, but I didn't sleep well.

I am now doing the third change of belts/tuneup on my Mondial T

[Boxer]

Suggest you take a look at:

Cambelt Change Intervals

[Matt Tait]

Many thanks for the input guys

[Gcalo]

About 6-8 years ago Ferrari posted a change to 3 years or 30,000 miles. Well we know that for extremely few 30,000 miles will pop up!

So the general rule of thumb is now 3 years but there are some knowledgeable folks who say 4 years if the car is driven hard/tracked and 5 if driven moderately.

Some have gotten 25K-35K miles out of a set.

Who really knows!

I would think weather conditions play a part as well but since belts are not overly expensive to repair, I'd go w/4-5 year plan. Sooner if you are the nervous type!!!

Just a rule of thumb.

See attached.

[Boxer]

I have never actually heard of a cambelt failing due to age/wear. All the cambelt failures I have come across have been caused by either another component failure or soemthing getting kicked up into the belt.

[wetpet]

my belts currently are pushing 7 years. just took it on a very hard run including 7.5k shifts up to 120mph+. whatever.

[Gcalo]

I have to believe that some of the hype is service dept financially related.

Most Japanese cars are 60,000 miles. Are they doing something different.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Gcalo

I have to believe that some of the hype is service dept financially related.

Most Japanese cars are 60,000 miles. Are they doing something different.

Yes, Ferrari is generating significantly more service revenue.

[Gcalo]

Weather has as much to do as does mileage.

Belts are exposed to high engine heat and the environment.

So if weather in one's area is uniform it should extend the belt's life!

[bill ward]

Boxer-
I followed yor advice and changed belts on my 308 last year. You mention things getting kicked up into belts(gravel?). one year later, I 've jumped time again, New belts-last year, sit all winter with minimal run during winter. Is it due to gravel roads( doesn't seem so) or possible due to cam belt tensioners?not running car until I figure out what I did wrong-maybe tensioning sequence done wrong? Or anything else you might think to check? Good news is no apparent damage to engine. Thanx, bill.

[wetpet]

where the tensioners replaced when the belts where replaced. It is my understanding that the bearings go bad way before the belt does.

[Gcalo]

Bill

If you are jumping teeth your tension is not being maintained. Replace bearings and tensioners.

I have seen a photo of the impression of a dime on a belt and the car still ran fine.

So I'd say your tension is not being retained.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Gcalo

Bill

If you are jumping teeth your tension is not being maintained. Replace bearings and tensioners.

I have seen a photo of the impression of a dime on a belt and the car still ran fine.

So I'd say your tension is not being retained.

+1 on the bearing and tensioners.

The F355 I know of that broke a belt was a bit of a freak accident. It was being run at very high speed on the autobahn. A stone got kick directly up on the belt and it broke.

[Granucci]

And get better than OEM tensioner/bearings like HILL Engr.

[Gcalo]

Boy that Rik comes through some times!!!

Good statement.

[bill ward]

Thanks for advice all. I did belts and tensioners(w/bearings) a year ago. Drove about 5k miles last season and put car away for winter. Started and moved it within garage several times but no more. Got it out two weeks ago and drove all day, next day got 2 miles from home and jumped time, wasn't getting on it. Limped back home, and started checking, found intake has jumped about 5 degree.My mechanic buddy thinks it's due to gravel, but I see no sign of it. I'm coming to conclusion that tension was not set properly last year or tensioner did not hold correctly. Bearing feels fine-would you replace it? Thanks again, Bill

[Gcalo]

The problem does not seem to be the bearing but the tensioning mechanism.

Your springs might be weak/broken and change character when warmed or under stress.

I'd take a very close look at the tensioners. I think that's your problem.

[bill ward]

Thank you- That's the direction I'm going. Bill

[barcheta]

Originally Posted by wetpet

my belts currently are pushing 7 years. just took it on a very hard run including 7.5k shifts up to 120mph+. whatever.

indeed... mine too. Drive the car and you won't have to worry about changing a belt every three years.....