Quote:
Originally Posted by javadog
You know, I'm the poster child for 'as long as you're in there." Still, a major service is basically cam belts, tune-up parts and fluids. Valve adjustments are mileage dependent, like in a P-car. Clutch jobs are owner-dependent. I've never worn one out in my life, on anything. Some owners can't drive for ****, so maybe they kill one every 10k. That's nothing to do with the car. Low-mile water pumps fail on cars that sit, or those that have too-tight belts. And, lots of older Ferraris don't need an engine drop for a service, so no need to do the A/C unless it leaks. Like a Porsche...
JR
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Except we're talking 348s, not Ferraris in general. 348s require a subframe drop for just about any motor-related labor op.
So the water pump, which is driven by the timing belt, can cause the timing belt to fail (either by seizing or vibrating, or by seeping coolant onto the rubber belt causing deterioration), which will cause a couple dozen valves to bend, which will lighten your wallet by a couple hundred benjamins. A car that sits is more likely to have water pump failure. Most Ferraris sit.
The second leading cause of failure is the crap tensioner bearings Ferrari used, especially in the early 348s. Ferrari did update the cars, and issued a TSB to retrofit older cars if there was an issue. Even the newer parts are not 'trusted' and many 348 owners will go to Hill bearings. If it's never been updated, it's a common $2000 add-on to a major service. Mostly parts.
Valve adjustments are much easier with the engine out, cam covers are already off, and even easier with the timing belts removed to rotate the cams. It is possible to do it in-chassis, it just costs more.
Schumi, as long as you can confirm that it just had a major service in the last couple years and has been driven regularly since, you don't need to worry much. The other failures and services aren't killers. Trouble is, the $35K 348s aren't usually the ones that have just had it done.
Schumi, if you do buy one, use Eugenio's Ferrari Service in Orange County (626-484-7933) . They are well respected and their rates are very reasonable. Their 'normal' major service like Javadog would do is only $4999, parts and labor.
And let me know if you think ANY parts of a nearly twenty year old 348 look to be in decent shape compared to a similar vintage Porsche. They usually look like crap, esp in SoCal.