Timing Belt Cost

[legion]

I need to have my timing belt replaced this spring. I figured as long as that was being done, I might as well have the accessory belt and balance shaft belt replaced also. Additionally, I was thinking that I might as well have the rotor and points replaced, and the ignition re-timed.

So my question is...what is a ballpark figure for this kind of work? The shop a town over quoted me $1,700 for all of the belts. Seems a little high to me. Is there anything special about having the belts done on an "S" that I should be aware of?

Thanks!

[tobster1911]

Speaking from experience that seems way high. That is close to the price for my whole head rebuild (parts + machine work). I did the wrenching myself but that was new valves (16), entire seal kit, Belts, rollers, timing chain tensioner, and machine shop work.

It was less than $200 for timing and balance belts and two new rollers that I needed. AVJuvat could probably tell you the book time to do this work but it took me no more that 3 hrs in my garage. That was with a few pain in the butt bolts.

One thing to consider is doing the timing chain tensioner (under the valve cover). On the S this is the next big time bomb other than the timing belt.

[legion]

I'll have to check my records, but I believe the tensioner was replaced when the timing belt was last changed (about 88,000 miles). I'm at 121,000.

[Britwrench]

Only take the car to a shop with Porsche and specifically 944 experience.
With a 944S you should be looking at belts, rollers, water pump, timing chain pads (or tensioner) and some other stuff like oil seals. If the shop estimated around $1700 for that amount of work then it's not far off. It depends on what the car needs.

Saying the shop estimated $1700 for the belts means nothing unless you have a written estimate with all the parts they think you will need.

[legion]

I know the water pump is very new (within the last 20,000 miles), and the car runs cool, so that isn't an issue.

They simply told me that they charge a flat $1700 and they change all of the belts, rollers, and seals.

[Zero10]

I'd walk from that shop.

Just so you know, there are no points, and you can't adjust the timing from the distributor cap in these cars. It's all electronic. Just change the cap and rotor, and you're done. Good to do with the belts, since it has to come off to change them.

$1700 sounds too high for just timing belt job. If it includes chain tensioner and all related parts, then that isn't too bad.

[Britwrench]

I agree with Zero on this. It doesn't sound like you are getting accurate information from the shop. Is it a Porsche specialist or just a "we do German cars" type of place?

[legion]

It's a "we do German cars" kinda place. The person on the phone also mentioned that "working on Porsches is a license to print money". I'm 99% sure I won't take my car there. I just wanted to know what kind of price range I should expect so that as I call other shops I could gauge them.

[Britwrench]

Find a real specialist shop and get a written estimate. If they know 944S models you should get a figure around what the invoice will be when repairs are complete.

It's important to use a Porsche specialist shop.

[legion]

There's a shop in Champaign that has been recommended to me. I think I'll call them. Still, it's going to be a hassle to get my car there, get myself back here, and then get back there to get my car when the repairs are complete.

[projektporsche1]

i paid 140 bucks labor to have mine done..... I bought all my parts at my advance. and got a roller form a porsche dealer...... THat is way way high.....in my opinion.

[SoCal Driver]

Don't let it go too long. The cam chain and pad under the valve cover is a ticking time bomb. When/if it breaks kiss $4,000 good by.

[legion]

The car's in storage for the winter. It won't be out until March or April. I've got a basement that flooded that has to be addressed first.

[Phil1000]

Same car, same action plan for this spring. I was wondering, do I need to automatically change the belt tensioner or do I leave it alone if it's OK. I understand that if you're getting the job done in a shop you might want to change everything you get your hands in but if you change the belt yourself and the tensioner looks OK??

Reading your respond got me a little bit scared, I was planning on doing the job my self (I rate my self 6 or 7 out of ten on mechanical abilities) just marking the crank and cam positions and putting them back were they were but some of you suggested to get it done at a speciality shop. Is that job really that complicated or is it just a little bit more than theT-belt I did on my 1981 Ford Escort 15 years ago??

[bazar01]

Same car, same action plan for this spring. I was wondering, do I need to automatically change the belt tensioner or do I leave it alone if it's OK. I understand that if you're getting the job done in a shop you might want to change everything you get your hands in but if you change the belt yourself and the tensioner looks OK??

If you do the work yourself, the only hassle is finding the time to do it all over again if you're lucky to catch it before it siezes.
I learned a lesson when I changed my cam and balance shaft belts. After about 3k miles , the tensioner pulley started making funny noises. The bearing started making noises, so I stopped driving the car and ordered a tensioner pulley from Zim's. Sure enough, the pulley bearing was about to go and I caught it before it siezed.
I will change the tensioner pulley every other 30k-mile belt replacement to be safe or every belt replacement if your pocket can afford it.

[speedracing944]

I am expecting to host another timing belt tensioning party this spring near Madison WI. Maybe you can swing out to get your belts replaced here. I have a P9210 tool so we could check to make sure your automatic tensioner is tensioning the belt correctly.

Does the S use the same flywheel lock as the regular 944? What tools are unique to the S for a belt job?


Speedy

[NKN84944]

Speedy, that is what I like to hear. I missed your last timing belt party because I was busy that weekend. I was planning on doing it over my winter break, but ended up getting screwed over on my parts... long story. I did end up getting the wrenches, fly wheel lock, etc that is needed to do the job though. I was thinking of making a long weekend for myself here in the next couple weeks and doing it then, but if you are thinking about having a tbelt party soon I might just hold off.
Nate

[AFJuvat]

Belts, cap, and rotor shuoldn't run you more than about $400 - $500.

Add about $100 more if you need tensioners and rollers.

AFJuvat

[a.n.other]

Originally posted by Phil1000
Reading your respond got me a little bit scared, I was planning on doing the job my self (I rate my self 6 or 7 out of ten on mechanical abilities) just marking the crank and cam positions and putting them back were they were but some of you suggested to get it done at a speciality shop. Is that job really that complicated or is it just a little bit more than theT-belt I did on my 1981 Ford Escort 15 years ago??

These cars are no more difficult to work on than any other car, so if you can work on an 81 Escort you'll be fine. You do need a special flywheel lock if you are changing the crankshaft oil seal, otherwise you will be ok setting it all to TDC (there are marks already on the cam gear and flywheel so you can line it up again afterwards) . Do it yourself and you'll save $$$ in no time - and you'll know the job has be done right.

[Phil1000]

Thanks for the invite for the T-belt tensioning party but I'm not sure if I thrust my 944 enough for a drive that long, maybe another year.