General tune-up advice

Bassett · 07:31 AM

Hi everyone!

I just recently bought a Black '88 924s and am planing on giving it a good tune up to get in on the road in proper form.

I will have to do the Cam & Balance belts as it doesn't have a record. =/
But other than that the car is solid in the suspension, clutch, and has no rust

It makes my old 325e feel like a Buick in comparision

The problem is the car came with a haynes manuel which tells me diddly squat about that job. The haynes was useless for my e30 and from reading through it, I fear is the same for my newly found Porsche.

I was planning on the usual inginiton system replacements, fluid changes, filters, hoses, and going through the Bosch injection system with my handy multimeter. From what I can gather, my valves are hydraulic lifters, so there's not much to do with adjusting those.

So what are some things to watch out for, possible tips and such.
And are there any better service books? I'm not liking the looks of the Belt tensioning deal with the Cam belt...and advice on this other than the factory tool?

Thanks everyone!!! Just a newbie looking for some help

John_AZ · 07-20-2009, 07:51 AM

Hi Bassett,

You can get some good information and tools to use if you go to www.arnnworx.com.
He has an alternate to the Porsche tool and explains it well. Read all of his tech pages as well.

Our sponsor frowns on just giving you the link to the PDF files you would like-so do a search.
www.texasblake.com has a lot of information as well if you click on his Porsche 951 page.

The belts are a good start, the rollers would also be a good idea and if you do not have information on the water pump you should change it.

If you do transaxle fluid change go with a synthetic like Redline-MT90 or Swepco or Mobile 1
Your gears will like it better.

Use a Mahle oil filter-$6 at Pelican. It has a good antidrain valve to prevent dry oil starts. Very important.

Post as needed and welcome.

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S 60K + 1987 924S 113K

Bassett · 07-20-2009, 10:43 AM

Hey! That's some good stuff to read though..been skimming through it here at work and plan on more when I get home.

My main concern so far is with the belts though.
I'm reading about the tensioner required, BUT some models have the spring tensioners built in..or so I have read. Will that properly tension the belt, and aside from taking the engine apart how can I determine if mine's got one? I'm thinking it does as its a later model. Either way, this seems like the motors achiellies heel, but I think it won't be too much of a bother.

Would measuring the delfection of the belt with a depth gauge be a good alternative? I'll pay for the tool without a problem and the one listed is a good alternative, but if I don't have to it'd be nice...the BMW needs love too

John_AZ · 07-20-2009, 01:34 PM

Yes, texasblake is a good source for Porsche information. Read all the topics on the 951 page.

You have a 1988 924S. It has the spring tensioner as well as the slightly higher compression engine. The spring tensioner is not automatic. It gets close and you have to finish with a guage. In a year or so of serious doubt on whether you have done it right, you will be able to do it with the twist method or my favorite the thumb and water pump pully test--not now.
If you do not do it properly, the chances of bent valves becomes reality. A shop will charge anywhere from $90 to $150 to tension the belts. There are a few other options, only if your skills are good and fear is managed

You should have the upgraded waterpump and rollers. You can tell by a shinny belt guide bolted on the WP. This will help you get the correct rollers if you decide to replace.

www.Clarks-Garage.com is another excellent source.

GL
John_AZ

Bassett · 07-20-2009, 05:49 PM

I can imagine the "feel" for the belt comes with time and I have none of that yet and am certainly not willing to risk it. A tool then seems like long run investment and I won't mind buying one. The arnn stuff seems very nice and I'd be willing to buy that, but i'm also looking at the cricket and athough its not dial caliper accurate, I can understand why and how it works, but can you get an accurate enough reading to make it worthwhile? If so that seems like a good alternative, but idk having never actually seen or used one. What do you think? If the better tool means my Porsche running right, my BMW's lowering springs can wait.

Thanks a bunch for the info. I'm gonna order the tune up stuff soon and can't wait for a weekend to get wrenching on something that is NOT my daily driver. A little less stressfull =)

John_AZ · 07-20-2009, 06:10 PM

In this thread a mechanic had some trouble using the Krikut---(NAPA KR1 I think about $15).

It may give you something to dwell on..
Problem with krikit tol adjusting belts too tight

NOTE: whatever method you use you rotate the crank 4X clockwise-24mm socket on crank--after each test. NOTE: When setting tension, you turn crank CCW 1.5 teeth on the cam gear----(1 works for me-you have to "play" with the CCW a bit)

GL
John_AZ

Bassett · 07-21-2009, 04:57 AM

John, you give some good advice and I thank you for it.

I don't like the sound of the kricket, just sounds to inconsistent to serve as an adjustment tool. Mabye a good quick reference tool if you already have a feel for it, but not for a first timer like me. I've decided on the Arnn works tool and will be ordering one shortly with the rest of the parts, water pump and rollers included.

The BMW will be jealous.