My local dealership and the 944 timing belt. A love story.

[minton2001]

So I've been getting all my work done at Zim's here in in Fort Worth. But I got lazy and decided to trust the local dealership with a 1500 mile tensioning on my timing belt. What could go wrong? Well, I'll tell you. A high pitched whine coming from the belt area, a horrible burning smell and it appears I'm using coolant. Everything was perfect before. What happened?

[krystar]

overtensioned....and maybe the water pump died?

take off the front cover and see if u can twist the balance belt 180degrees and the timing belt 90degrees.

[minton2001]

And did I mention it now appears that there might be oil(?) in my coolant. Tune in as this progresses as I recount the denials of fault/ error on their part that are sure to come. (And in the event that there is not a problem I will make sure and post.)

[porsche4life]

Sounds like they got it too tight and then it cooked the pump and got it too hot... I hope for your sake that I am very wrong though....


What is it with the Porsche shops down there? I got a car that had recently had a top end build by Istooks and they didn't even get all the belts tight.

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by minton2001

A high pitched whine coming from the belt area,

a horrible burning smell and it appears I'm using coolant.

Everything was perfect before. What happened?

Morgan,
My view on the '87 944.

The high pitched whine is from the balance belt being too tight.
Go to the bottom of this link and you will see a couple "here"s
Click on the one for the video of a too tight balance belt.
http://www.arnnworx.com/tensioningbelts.htm

If the balance belt is too tight the cam belt may be also. The retension at 1500 miles is a lot less pressure than a new belt. An over tensioned belt can cause a waterpump bearing to burn out early. This could give you the burning smell.

It might be a good idea to remove the belt covers and take a look. Do not change anything.

Try the WP pully belt cam belt test:
1. Wash your hands. Then wash your fingers with Windex.
2. Grab the WP pully. If it turns easy with a little muscle----too loose.
3. Grab the WP pully. If you cannot turn it with a lot of force with 2 hands---way too tight.
4. The WP pully has to turn with a little muscle and clean fingers. The reason behind this is the thermal expansion of the block will increase the tension on the belt. Note: this test does not work with knurled waterpump pullys.

Ask what type of tension guage was used. The dealership should have the official Porsche P9201 tension guage. Some dealerships with seasoned mechanics may go by the early 90 degree twist method. This can cause a too tight cam belt and was the reason for the P9201.

More information to read from Clarks Garage about the methods I just mentioned:
Timing Belt and Balance Shaft Belt Tensioning

Knowing this information will help you.

Oil in the coolant may not be the dealers fault. Unless you had some other work done, the normal failure is the oil cooler housing seals. The '87 was famous for this defect. The dealer will argue "not his fault" and you loose some points with the first problem. It may have contributed to the exsisting condition of the faulty seals---maybe.

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

[minton2001]

Felt I needed to follow up. There was no problem. Smell went away. Not burning coolant. Wasn't accounting for the "expansion" factor. Mea culpa dealership.

[KevsPorsche944]

I'm in the area. I have used Zim's I like them. I also use JP imports.. I like this guy alot. he owns a few Porsches and has worked on my 944. His rates are great. He is in Arlington. Then there is Istooks They are good also.

Minton would you be interested in "Coffee and Cars" for the DFW area?