Tensioning tensions & OCD...

Crazy Horse · 08:11 AM

I am currently enjoying my first 944. I am not new to 911's and 930's as I have had several over the years. I got a great deal on my current 1983 944 (nothing is as expensive as a cheap Porsche).

Over my three months of ownership, I have replaced the radiator, water pump and everything that can be regularly replaced that coolant touches, including the fan switch. The car runs cool now, even on the hottest of days. Also, I replaced the belts et al.

However, I am now subjected to belt adjusting and all of the worry that goes with it.

I have read almost every post regarding the subject on this board and on Clark's. I also bought a Kriket like Napa KR-1. IMO it is not worth the price. After at least 35 attempts to adjust the timing belt properly, I have resorted to a safety check of turning the WP pulley with "some strength". This check helps me sleep at night.

I did the best I could with the KR-1 on th balance belt, but in the end, used a lot of observations on this board's posts to put on "final" adjustments.

Now I am finding that I am continually thinking about the belts. I am continually listening for whine and hesitate to rev the engine. It is getting close to an OCD condition.

Since I recently bought the car and immediately threw a grand and a half at it, I am hesitant to go out and put the money down on a P9201 right now. I will do so later.

If anyone rents the P9201 (or 920X) or if there is an alternative available, any direction would be greatly appreciated.

Icey1174 · 08-25-2009, 08:20 AM

If it makes you feel any better... I have never heard of anyone ever having a belt failure AFTER installing new belts. So long as they are "snug" enough that they will not be jumping I think you will be fine. All the failures you hear about are either old belts, a bad water pump, or bad rollers.

I had a recent post on here asking how many people tension by hand and how many use the tool. I think you would be amazed at how many people tension by hand and never had a problem.

I think you'll be fine, sleep well.

944 Ecology · 08-25-2009, 09:04 AM

I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I use the factory tool each and every time I do a belt, on all of my cars and all of my customers cars. The tension is critical, since the block grows 10 mm in each dimension from cold to running temp. A belt that is tight at cold will be too tight at op temp. A belt that is loose at op temp will be too loose at cold temps.

Sorry, I don't rent out my tools, since I make a living with them. Every one I know who has rented the tool in the past has regretted that decision.

Icey1174 · 08-25-2009, 09:36 AM

I never knew the block grew so much. That is amazing that anything could work properly with metal moving that far and that frequently. I had no idea! All I can say is WOW!!!!!

944E has been doing this for a long time and hundreds of more times than most of us put together. Thanks! Now I will not be sleeping at night either! lol....

John_AZ · 08-25-2009, 09:41 AM

Your most obvious choice is the Arnnworx tools.
Review his tools and read all of his "Projects"
www.arnnworx.com

BTW-On the early cars you should replace the tensioning stud.--This was a failure point.
I could not find it on Pelican, so here is what it looks like.

http://www.944online.com/cgi-bin/ASI_Store.cgi?Product+skukey_20052347+9441+waterco oling-9441

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

Crazy Horse · 08-25-2009, 09:54 AM

I have read the posts concerning Arnnworx and went through his site. I had mentioned the 920X in my first post.

John_AZ, If I am correct, the WP turning check came from one of your earlier posts - you are one of the best on the subject that I have found...

AKCJ · 08-25-2009, 10:11 AM

The first time I did the belts I didn't have the tool so I just did it by feel. I then drove (400 miles) to the nearest dealer and had the tension set. The mechanic said that my tension was way off. That was enough to convince me to get the tool.

The 920X has turned out to be a great investment - it's low cost and you get a dial indicater with it that you can use for other things (checking brake rotor runout etc.). And no problems sleeping at night.

Crazy Horse · 08-25-2009, 10:39 AM

How much is "way off"?

I have been working on all sorts of Porsches for a couple of decades and am not sure that the dealer's mechanic has as much experience as myself and a lot of other posters here. I would be (and am) certain to spend as much time as necessary on my 1983. I trust myself.

The only thing I am lacking, for now, is the tool.

AKCJ · 08-25-2009, 02:17 PM

Well, the mechanic had been there long enough to have worked on these cars when they were new.

He didn't give me a "measurement" for how much way off was but he did say it was way too loose.

I agree with you - trust yourself on your own car. Nobody is as interested or as committed to getting it right on your car as you are.

Good Luck

John_AZ · 08-25-2009, 04:11 PM

Crazy Horse,

I like the quote from www.Clarks-Garage.com ENG-10

"Pre-tension the camshaft belt by turning the tensioning roller eccentric nut (thin 24 mm or thin 27 mm open end wrench) counter-clockwise until the belt can be twisted 90° using the thumb and forefinger. This should be checked at the midpoint between the cam sprocket and the crankshaft sprocket. Tighten the tensioning roller locknut to 45 Nm (33 ft-lbs). Apply counter-torque to the tensioning roller eccentric nut while tightening locknut to prevent altering the belt tension.

Note: Originally, this was the only method of tensioning used on 928s and 924s. I know of several shops that have never purchase Special Tool 9201 and use this method on 944s as well. However, it is very risky and I strongly recommend checking the belt with the factory tensioning gage."

From an old Clarks-Garage forum post from Clark Fletcher: RE-P9201
"Heck, Porsche doesn't even make the tool. A guy by the name of Fritz Staeger in Berlin makes them for Porsche."
http://clarks-garage.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2357

I know you are bleary eyed reading tension posts. You may have seen this one.
A good mechanic the same as you, could not get his Krikit to work and this was his Post:
Problem with krikit tol adjusting belts too tight

After a while the belt becomes second nature and you have developed a " feel" for the tension. I use Contitech cam belts because I know they have kept up with the proper Porsche technology and have improved the manufacture process and belt strength. Besides, Pelican sells them for $11.75. I change my belts every other year. The new belt gets retensioned at about 1000 miles. Cheap insurance.

You do have an option to get the new Kevlar Belt $140 or so each. This may give you less worry.

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

speedracing944 · speedracing944's Garage

I use my P9201 every time. I just did 3 belt replacements/ tensionings this past weekend at the Indiana gathering. I don't rent out my tools but if you contact many944s he may rent his out.

Speedy