Timing Belt Tensioner Tool Really Needed?

[mike malad]

I have read a couple of threads about shade treeers not using any tensioner tools and having luck. My Question is there such a small margin of error that its no question that u need it. Or is it best case scenario. I plan on using my car at a small oval track and not putting on many miles just high rpm. What should I do? Also is the balance belt needed for perfomance or just for the annoying vibration?

[Eldorado]

if you're asking if you need it - you need it.

it is my experience that only those with tons of experience are the ones that dont need it....

check out ebay - a tool is sold for quite a reasonable price.

[bryanthompson]

You have four choices:

1. Use no tool at all and pray that you have a lot of good karma built up
2. Use the $8 krikit tool and have some marginal amount of trust that it will be okay
3. Use Bruce Arnn's $140 tool, which I've used and like a lot.
4. Buy the $600+ 9201, or find a friend who has one and see if you can borrow it. (there are many guys on this board who have been so kind)

When doing timing belts, it seems like the quality of sleep for the next few weeks is directly proportional to the amount of money you spent on the tool

[Eldorado]

some people can do it by hand...
a guy on this board just finished doing my belts for me and he used the '90 degree twist method'... but then again, he has a lot of experience with doing belt changes and can just 'feel' it. it's driven just fine. i'm a few weeks away from my usual re-tension after the installation.

[Techno Duck]

I will echo what is said with the experience of a 'shade tree' mechanic.

Unless you are very competent mechanic, i would not trust tensioning 'by hand'. Two years ago the wrench at my fathers shop changed the belts on my 924S which was sold last year. He tensioned them all by hand. They were fine up till 20k miles later when i sold the car...i have no idea what the status of the car is now. Probably still running strong. I trusted him because i knew he was a excellent mechanic with years of experience.

I recently did the belts myself on my '87. I used the spring tensioner to set initial tension and checked, double checked and triple checked using the Kricket tool. It was in reasonable spec. I recently did the retension for 1500 miles, same procedure. Im at about 2000 miles and its still running strong.

The Kricket tool really is only good for cars without the spring tensioner. They are very hard to use correctly if you do have one as the longest span of the belt is distrupted by the tensioner.

As mentioned above, your other options are the new Arnnworx tool and the infamous 9201 tool. I have not seen, used or heard any new reviews of the new Arnnworx tool, however if the quality is the same as the other belt job tools he sells, i am sure its top quality. I may actually buy one in the next few weeks for peace of mind against the Kricket gauge.

Really i think the #1 most important thing after setting initial tension correctly is to make sure you stick with the retension schedual. Thats roughly 1500 and 15000 miles. We do not have the automatic hydrolic type tensioner as the 968 which constantly sets the tension of the belt correctly, we only have at best a spring tensioner which is only good at setting initial tension!

[legion]

These guys have it all wrong.

Tell us a little more about your car... (You're close...just in Indy.) What year/model? Does it have lots of expensive "go-fast" parts? Is it a turbo?

I would say if you have a turbo with some nice upgrades, you don't need to worry about belt tension at all. If you don't worry, nothing bad will happen. Besides, I could always buy some of those upgrades off of you to help pay for the engine rebuild you'll need when the belt fails...

...

Seriously, welcome to the Pelican!

Timing belts are serious stuff, and best left to those with experience on them.



As for balance shaft belts...the engine will shake like a misbalanced washing machine without them. You'll go through things like engine mounts much quicker...and possibly break vacuum lines, electrical wires, or even fuel lines...

[Slam]

The Krikit works for me, but I'm checking things on a regular schedule.

Nothing beats a good pair of socks, though.

[bigyagi]

yup, you can use the factory tool, and maybe get some sleep at night, but what happens when you buy a timing belt that is not up to snuff? or one that has been stored for eons? any mass-produced item throws up a bad part, every now and again, so find a method that suits you, tension your belt, and religiously follow the maintenance schedule for the belts. i have only ever used the krikit, and i find its repeatable.

[VINMAN]

Been using the Krikit for a while and have previously done 2 changes without a guage. Have not had a problem yet

[speedracing944]

Bought a P9201 for under $400 from a Pelican member. When it comes time to sell the 944 (when I am old and gray) I can recoupe the cost by reselling it at near the purchase price. PLUS you get to make some cool friends when you have such a powerful tool

So... buy the tool.... host belt tensioning parties in your area (you usually can get free beer and food this way) and buy yourself some carma while at the same time getting a chance to meet new people and have a good time.

Speedy

[bryanthompson]

Technoduck - u have a pm.

[VINMAN]

I just seen the P9201 in a catalog going for over $800!!

[Techno Duck]

Bryan, thanks. I sent you one back.

Vinman, that tool is the holy grail of the 944 lineage i think . Or atleast the holy grail of any 944 mechanic.

[VINMAN]

Ive used both, and to tell you the truth, the $25 kriket is just as reliable.
Consistant and accurate readings with it

[Moneyguy1]

As important as the method of adjustment is the "freshness" of the belt. An old "New Old Stock" belt can be problematic. As for the P9201 tool (I would use it if I had access just because I am paranoid) I was informed by a Porsche trained mechanic that the reason the tool was issued was an attempt by the factory to overcome a design flaw and to reduce callbacks and potential bad publicity.

I have been unsuccessful in finding any other car that requires such a precise tool for setting timing belt tension. Anyone know of any?

[bryanthompson]

Vinman, I need to see someone who knows how to use the Krikit do it. I must have been doing something wrong, because it took a good 30 minutes to get consistent readings. Even after I got consistant readings, going back with the 9201 showed the krickit was way off. I admit, I probably was doing something wrong. There was about 1/2" of free space on either end of the tool once I got it in there, it just didn't feel right.

I've seen the pics on a Krikit site, and I swear they're using camera tricks!

[speedracing944]

When I was looking at buying a new P9201 I was informed that Sunset Porsche out of Florida (I think it was Florida) was selling brand new P9201s for $550.00