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Hi all, bit of a newb on this part of the forum, done a deal on a ferrari 355 and it's only done 7000 miles, thing is and I don't know whether this is a big worry or not, the timing belts were done 300 miles ago but four years, the guy selling has obviously reduced the price due to this but are they common to fail? I just don't want to part with my hard earnt and find it fails pulling it out the street.
I am a mechanic by trade so will be hoping to save some money and do them myself. Thing is before I will get chance to do them I am looking to do the best man honours in it first.
Thanks Carl
I am a mechanic by trade so will be hoping to save some money and do them myself. Thing is before I will get chance to do them I am looking to do the best man honours in it first.
Thanks Carl
Its not the belts that go its the bearings - you can read more in buyer guides or at www.the355.com - first thing to check is if the bearings were changed four years ago - if they were Ferrari parts you have less leeway than if Hills were used - you might want to think about a 2-3 year change especially if you can do it yourself and/or want to do other engine related stuff
As above belts are recommended to be changed every 3 years, it is prudent to use the Hills engineering tensioners as I understand these can be changed every other belt service.
As you probably know in a 355 it's an engine out job, as you can do it yourself make sure you keep all receipts and document, for peace of mind change straight away along with an oil change, you then have 3 years stress free motoring.
As you probably know in a 355 it's an engine out job, as you can do it yourself make sure you keep all receipts and document, for peace of mind change straight away along with an oil change, you then have 3 years stress free motoring.
Ferrari recommend changing the cam belts (same belts BTW) between 3 and, I believe, 5 years depending on the market. There are very few stories of 355 engines coming to grief due to belts breaking so you can make your own mind up. Tensioner bearings are, as stated before, the major weak point and, given the astronomical cost of Ferrari engine rebuilds, it may be sensible to change belts and tensioners and, again, as stated above, use Hill Engineering tensioner bearings as they are recognised as being of superior quality to the Ferrari items. You can then have up to five years 'peace of mind'.
The belts can be changed without dropping the engine by removing the fuel tank but this doesn't allow enough room to change the tensioners. Engine out and replace belts, tensioners and check/set up valve timing accurately is my recommendation.
Having said that, a mere 300 miles in 4 years is a bit of a worry - I would get a full inspection done by a Ferrari expert. Could be a few hundred quid well spent.
The belts can be changed without dropping the engine by removing the fuel tank but this doesn't allow enough room to change the tensioners. Engine out and replace belts, tensioners and check/set up valve timing accurately is my recommendation.
Having said that, a mere 300 miles in 4 years is a bit of a worry - I would get a full inspection done by a Ferrari expert. Could be a few hundred quid well spent.
Thanks for the information people, the belts were last changed by a Ferrari dealer so I would assume genuine parts had been used, the tensioner fails like you mention seems to be the common practice on most cars, normally this can be heard before a failure?
The car itself was a one owner car when the chap I am buying it off got it, he had a full checks done etc and it was one of the best cars around for sale at the time, it now sits in his dry garage and is just an ornament so to speak, the car literally is immaculate, I went to see it last week, put a battery on and it started first turn of the key.
Itching to get my hands on it now.
Carl
The car itself was a one owner car when the chap I am buying it off got it, he had a full checks done etc and it was one of the best cars around for sale at the time, it now sits in his dry garage and is just an ornament so to speak, the car literally is immaculate, I went to see it last week, put a battery on and it started first turn of the key.
Itching to get my hands on it now.
Carl
Highly unlikely the bearings would need replacement after 7000 miles, assuming the mileage is genuine. There are also lots of stories and many, many debates of cam belt changes having to be done engine out. I know of at least 2 Ferrari main dealers who do the cam belt changes engine in as standard - clearly if there are other jobs to be done it may be more cost effective to drop the engine but having personally witnessed a cam belt change engine in at a main dealer there are no real issues.
I purchased my 355 from a main dealer in Scotland 3 years ago but I still had an independent PPI done by a reputed expert. Worth the £350 as he picked up a few minor issues which the main dealer subsequently rectified before I took delivery
I purchased my 355 from a main dealer in Scotland 3 years ago but I still had an independent PPI done by a reputed expert. Worth the £350 as he picked up a few minor issues which the main dealer subsequently rectified before I took delivery
On a normal car you could possibly hear a rumble as the bearing starts to dry out or break up, on the Ferrari I doubt you would here it as they are a noisey old thing at the back anyway what with exhaust etc.
The bearings are unlikely to wear after 300 or 7000 miles but you need to think of this as an insurance policy, even doing yourself an engine rebuild could cost you fortunes.
At £1500-2000 I can see why you may think about it, doing yourself will be a belt at £50 ? And the tensioners x2 are £125 each from memory so £300 and a Saturday.
The bearings are unlikely to wear after 300 or 7000 miles but you need to think of this as an insurance policy, even doing yourself an engine rebuild could cost you fortunes.
At £1500-2000 I can see why you may think about it, doing yourself will be a belt at £50 ? And the tensioners x2 are £125 each from memory so £300 and a Saturday.
From what I was told by Rodger at The Ferrari Centre in Maidstone, part of the problem with the tensioners on the 355 (as well as the bearings failing), is that they are not mechanically set as they are on a 348, they're designed to move on a bush system.
Apparently, on cars that do very low mileage, they have a nasty habit of seizing, causing damage to the belt and engine damage.
And on cars that do high mileage they tend to wear out creating slack on the belts that then can cause engine damage.
(A classic case of: "Damned if you do, damned if you don't!" )
His advice is to replace the standard tensioners with the Hill engineering ones as they are far superior, and to change the belts every 3 years on a 355 regardless.
He told Me that the 348 can easily go beyond the 3 year belt change interval (he said that they would still be okay after 5~7 years but I wouldn't want to risk that!), but advises 355 buyers to change them every 3 years religiously.
If you can do it yourself then there are plenty of DIY guides to help you and for the cost of the belts and tensioners it's got to be worth it (I'd also have a good look at the water-pump whilst the engines out!)
Apparently, on cars that do very low mileage, they have a nasty habit of seizing, causing damage to the belt and engine damage.
And on cars that do high mileage they tend to wear out creating slack on the belts that then can cause engine damage.
(A classic case of: "Damned if you do, damned if you don't!" )
His advice is to replace the standard tensioners with the Hill engineering ones as they are far superior, and to change the belts every 3 years on a 355 regardless.
He told Me that the 348 can easily go beyond the 3 year belt change interval (he said that they would still be okay after 5~7 years but I wouldn't want to risk that!), but advises 355 buyers to change them every 3 years religiously.
If you can do it yourself then there are plenty of DIY guides to help you and for the cost of the belts and tensioners it's got to be worth it (I'd also have a good look at the water-pump whilst the engines out!)
slippery said:
I can't help with any answers like the others have, but I just wanted to say congratulations on what sounds like a lovely car! Now how's about some pics! 
I am due to collect the car in a couple of weeks, I will pop some pictures up that you can be sure, thanks for all the info people, I think I will get it collected and see what's what.Cheers all, thanks for all the advice.
Carl
sorry to hijack the thread but i am on the look out for a 355 spider and would like to be able to get someone to inspect it (which i see referenced in this thread) could someone point e in the right direction
i dont suppose anyone knows of any spiders about or either the black one at the the ferrari centre
http://www.theferraricentre.com/used-cars/search/4...
or the silver one here
http://www.prindiville.co.uk/luxury-cars-sale/?n=f...
cheers everyone
i dont suppose anyone knows of any spiders about or either the black one at the the ferrari centre
http://www.theferraricentre.com/used-cars/search/4...
or the silver one here
http://www.prindiville.co.uk/luxury-cars-sale/?n=f...
cheers everyone
I can pretty much assure you that you won't be disappointed or have a waisted journey with any of the cars at TFC.
Speak to Dave or Matt in sales, or Roger in the workshop for mechanical stuff.
If you feel you need an independent inspection then Tim at walkersport comes highly recommended.
Speak to Dave or Matt in sales, or Roger in the workshop for mechanical stuff.
If you feel you need an independent inspection then Tim at walkersport comes highly recommended.
cheers guys
i am actually after 355, 550 & 456..... but not all at the same time.... i.e. if i can find a suitable candidate for any of these marques then i will get it and then start looking for the next one.... i am after cars that aren't super low mileage versions which will hopefully be a bit cheaper than a garage queen....
blue and silver are my preferred colours but tricky to find, its all a bit of a waiting game....
andy
i am actually after 355, 550 & 456..... but not all at the same time.... i.e. if i can find a suitable candidate for any of these marques then i will get it and then start looking for the next one.... i am after cars that aren't super low mileage versions which will hopefully be a bit cheaper than a garage queen....
blue and silver are my preferred colours but tricky to find, its all a bit of a waiting game....
andy
cheers guys
i am actually after 355, 550 & 456..... but not all at the same time.... i.e. if i can find a suitable candidate for any of these marques then i will get it and then start looking for the next one.... i am after cars that aren't super low mileage versions which will hopefully be a bit cheaper than a garage queen....
blue and silver are my preferred colours but tricky to find, its all a bit of a waiting game....
andy
i am actually after 355, 550 & 456..... but not all at the same time.... i.e. if i can find a suitable candidate for any of these marques then i will get it and then start looking for the next one.... i am after cars that aren't super low mileage versions which will hopefully be a bit cheaper than a garage queen....
blue and silver are my preferred colours but tricky to find, its all a bit of a waiting game....
andy
andyleeds said:
cheers guys
i am actually after 355, 550 & 456..... but not all at the same time.... i.e. if i can find a suitable candidate for any of these marques then i will get it and then start looking for the next one.... i am after cars that aren't super low mileage versions which will hopefully be a bit cheaper than a garage queen....
blue and silver are my preferred colours but tricky to find, its all a bit of a waiting game....
andy
Andy,i am actually after 355, 550 & 456..... but not all at the same time.... i.e. if i can find a suitable candidate for any of these marques then i will get it and then start looking for the next one.... i am after cars that aren't super low mileage versions which will hopefully be a bit cheaper than a garage queen....
blue and silver are my preferred colours but tricky to find, its all a bit of a waiting game....
andy
Do your homework thoroughly before buying and always, always get a PPI done. Buying a Ferrari is one thing, running one can be a completely different kettle of fish! As for the waiting game it took me two years of intensive searching to find the 'right one' - there is plenty of crap out there, believe you me!
Well it's here, dug it out from where it's stored and took a sneaky pic, even has a nice price 355 reg, bonus, should have it this time next week.
Bloke who owns it is a hoarder and most if not nearly all of his stuff is immaculate, the mg you can see under cover has done about 1000 miles.
Carl
Bloke who owns it is a hoarder and most if not nearly all of his stuff is immaculate, the mg you can see under cover has done about 1000 miles.
Carl
Edited by C. Grimsley on Friday 27th June 20:10
Edited by C. Grimsley on Friday 27th June 20:13
andyleeds said:
cheers guys
i am actually after 355, 550 & 456..... but not all at the same time.... i.e. if i can find a suitable candidate for any of these marques then i will get it and then start looking for the next one.... i am after cars that aren't super low mileage versions which will hopefully be a bit cheaper than a garage queen....
blue and silver are my preferred colours but tricky to find, its all a bit of a waiting game....
andy
My F355 Spider is about to go up for sale soon. Yellow with Fiorano suspension, chanllenge grill and tubi exhaust.i am actually after 355, 550 & 456..... but not all at the same time.... i.e. if i can find a suitable candidate for any of these marques then i will get it and then start looking for the next one.... i am after cars that aren't super low mileage versions which will hopefully be a bit cheaper than a garage queen....
blue and silver are my preferred colours but tricky to find, its all a bit of a waiting game....
andy
FWIW, my 355 has done 19k miles and since I'm never going to sell it, I've settled into a schedule of a minor service every 2 years alternating with a major service/belt change every 4.
Never a problem mechanically but the usual cosmetic issues - buttresses, rubber coated switch-gear, rusting kick plates and so on.
Never a problem mechanically but the usual cosmetic issues - buttresses, rubber coated switch-gear, rusting kick plates and so on.
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