Help!! Is it the timing belt?

roy944s · roy944s's Garage

I got a 88' 944s from my friend and I haven't got the time to check the timing belt..This morning the engine stoped while I was runing about 40 miles/hr on the road...I cannot get the the car to start agai. My mechanic told me it might be the timing belt..
Can anyone tell me what are the symptons when the timing belt fail? I didn't hear anything from the engine before this happened(e.g. valve hits the piston, etc..). And how much it's the average cost for repair/replace if it was the timing belt? Do I need to replace the valve or the head? My friend notice that my timing belt roller was making some noise before this happened..
I feel very guilty and regret that I didn't take care of the car......Please help!! Great thanks!!!

Rollins · 03-21-2001, 07:02 PM

You have a 944 S? They have a timing chain actually. If the belt went you are looking at probably $1500 in repairs. Maybe more. The whole head has to be removed remachined, and of course the new valves. At 40 mph you could have smashed all of them. My VW's timing belt went on me, when it happened I was at an idle and I didn't hear anything. I was just sitting there and the car died. Luckily for me only one exhaust valve got bent. Anyway, based on what you said I would say it is the timing chain...sorry...
-Tim

drew1 · 03-21-2001, 07:10 PM

Roy,
How do it sound turning over trying to start it, a little different like it lost compression?

drew1

roy944s · roy944s's Garage

Thanks guys...
The engine does not turn when I tried to start it. It feels like there's no fuel went through it. I am not sure if it's like lose of compression, but it's certainly feel different like before. Hope this might help Drew1 to diagnose the problem..

PrerYDoG · 03-22-2001, 02:41 AM

Engine doesn't turn? No cranking no nothing (i.e. you don't have any electricity?) or does it just keep turning and turning but not firing?

redleg · 03-22-2001, 09:29 AM

A 944S has a chain? THen what is the maintenance interval for replacement? it it still 30K ,or is it longer?
Luke

roy944s · roy944s's Garage

You are right, PrerYDoG!! The engine was turning without firing. It's not the electrical problem..I am kind of afraid that my mechanic will rip me off on the repairing bill cause I am not really familier with the engine..therefore, I am hoping any of you guys can give some advise on this..maybe I will be able to save some $$$..cause I still don't know what the problem is and how serious it is...

Really appreciate your help...

EugeneYu · 03-22-2001, 10:48 AM

Take off your distributor cap. Run your starter and see if the rotor is rotating. If not, that's your timing/belt (chain) broken. This is two men job.
The function of timing belt/chain is to transfer power from your crankshaft to camshaft. In most design when the crankshaft makes one cycle, the camshaft makes two cycles. Camshaft runs distributor through gears. In your case, if the rotor doesn't run, in the other words the camshaft doesn't run, that means your crankshaft can not give power to camshaft. Then it's a broken timing belt/chain.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Good luck
Eugene

[This message has been edited by EugeneYu (edited 03-22-2001).]

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

Roy,
The 944S has a timing chain AND timing belt. To check the belt, take the cover off. If a belt falls out, you know what happened. The chain itself is supposed to go for 90,000+ miles, so I doubt its that. But it could be. I have a 944S, and the previous owner sold it because his chain snapped and all hell broke loose in the head. And with 16 valves as opposed to 8, the fun was even more extensive. Sorry to scare you, but let us know what happens with the cover.

PrerYDoG · 03-22-2001, 12:18 PM

Hmmm...try checking to see if you're getting gas..maybe the DME got stuck you could try tapping it a few times.

You should try checking for spark and fuel... if you're missing one, you can start looking from there, if you have both, well then, you could be really SOL.

roy944s · roy944s's Garage

Hey guys, got a call from my mechanic today. IT IS THE TIMING BELT..He's not sure how many valves had been damaged so far cause he haven't done checking..Fortunetly my pistons are not damaged...My mechanic is going to charge me $1560 for parts and labor and it could be less or more depends on how many bad valves that I have...Is this charge fair? Also, what else do I need to keep my eyes on when repairing this problem? Any experience or advise for me? I guess that I am really in deep trouble this time...hahaha..
Thank you guys to help me diagnose the problem..Although the worst situation did happened, but I will fix the car and get it back on road again...

Lawrence Coppari · 03-23-2001, 03:35 AM

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. How many miles were on the belt that broke?

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

$1560.00 to repair a belt failure on a 16-valve head seems about fair. Your mechanic was probably VERY tentative at this early stage, though. Sorry to hear about it. While he's at it, make sure that he replaces the timing chain pad, as these wear over time (no pun intended). If he has the head pulled, it should be really easy.

1.2gees · 1.2gees's Garage

Panzer909, if the timing CHAIN broke on your car only the intake valves would be broken. The exaust valve timing would still be pretty much dead on.

roy944s, I'd be at least a tad suspicious, if my mechanic told me there was no damage to the pistons, but there was damage to the valves (not even knowing how many valves are bent). He could've looked through the spark plug holes, so don't want to sway you away from him just because of this.

Also, I agree with Panzer, ditto on the replacement of the timing chain pod. This would be a good time to do it.

Good luck to you, keep us updated.
Ahmet

------------------
It's all the driver...

Dan944t · 03-23-2001, 07:22 AM

YOU SHOULD REPLACE THE TIMING BELT AND TIMING CHAIN WHILE YOUR IN THERE SO YOU DONT HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN maybe even ENGINE seals if its leaking oil (ruffly 95 bux more).

Good Luck!!
Dan951
87 951

wolfrpi · 03-23-2001, 08:14 AM

Make sure the head is not cracked.

Erick

roy944s · roy944s's Garage

Thanks guys.

I do have another question regarding the timing chain you've mentioned. Where is the timing chain? Is that inside of the valve cover? Or it's in the timing belt box? What is the average life of the timing chain? Is it the same or close as the timing belt? Since there's a timing belt, why does it need another timing chain?

Great thanks and excuse me if my questions are stupid...

drew1 · 03-26-2001, 12:28 AM

Hi Roy,
I'm ignorant, too, but did see somebody with the valve cover off a two cam model at a race. The chain connecting the cams is under the cover.
drew1

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

The chain is under the cover. The chain is supposed to last the life of the car, but the chain pad must be replaced every 90,000 miles and checked for tension.