[Guest]

Just discvoved this site so so

Just discvoved this site so sorry if this question is "old hat". Have an 86 T/R with 13500 miles. Belts were done at about 9000 miles however it was approximately 8 years ago. Car has always been in heated garage and has never seen bad weather etc. Should belts be replaced again?

 

[Guest]

Hmmmmmm...there is no set-in-s

Hmmmmmm...there is no set-in-stone rule, but generally 5 years or 30,000 miles which ever comes first. You are correct in saying that this subject is "old hat" and has been beat to death. But the very fact that it has been brought up so many times shows there is no clear concrete answer to this question. If the car was started and run regularly even when stored that helps a lot, and also how it was driven, either hard or easy. If it's had an easy time and you will continue to take it easy I'd probably change the belts over the winter or spring. If your going to put the car through it's paces with some high rpms I would change them as SOON as it's convenient to do so. I'm sure others will also express their opinions....again....there is no hard and fast rule about this. If everything else is good as it should be with so few miles, just changing belts and tensioner bearings isn't too bad of a job for the do it yourselfer if your mechanically inclined. I am doing a full service on my TR and it's my first time working an a Ferrari...so it can be done.

 

[Guest]

Bruce welcome to Ferrari-Talk,

Bruce welcome to Ferrari-Talk,

There is only one answer to your question, do what makes you feel the most safe and comfortable. All the rest are just opinions.

I've seen 18 yr old belts with 25K miles on them and everyone (but me) especially dealers, knows the guy whose belts broke after 5yrs 1 day and a minute.

My opinion- I personally don't really like 10yr old belts, but I don't try to scare people into changing them with horror stories either. I personally have never seen a belt break solely based on age. However, I wouldn't take that car with 10yr old belts to the track if it was my nickle picking up any potential pieces.

So it all comes down to what if's and who picks up the tab how the car will be used, and how risk adverse and lucky we are.

As a proffesional I have to fall back on the sayings, "it's better to be safe than sorry" and "maintanance is cheaper than repairs" as trueisms to live by.

Regards, JRV