Belt replacement in So Cal?

Gordon Rankin · 06-04-2010, 02:40 PM

Is anyone in the local LA/OC area doing their balance shaft and timing belt replacements anytime soon? I am looking at having to replace my water pump soon and need to observe (at least) the procedure to replace the belts..Please PM me or email me at GRSGI@YAHOO.COM if this is in the foreseeable future for you..OR if you would like to help me do my own? Adult beverage and pizza supplied...
Thanks

Gordon Rankin · 06-06-2010, 10:16 AM

Bump

wild man · 06-06-2010, 02:22 PM

You really have me stumped! I not really sure how to word this, but the burning question that I have is this: How in the hell can it be that somebody having almost a decade of time in here, with over a K in postage, and an count of 5 in owned porsches, never have changed belts one one of these cars before? And even stranger, how is it that such an individual is unable to go by procedures listed in the service manual, or on the web?? Did you just NOW decide to start going dirty-handed, always having paid someone before???

Gordon Rankin · 02:53 PM

Wildman.. All good questions. And I don't take offense at all. First off I have

congestive heart failure which has weakened me considerably over the years.

Where I would just tear into something before, I must conserve energy. So Cal

helped me out a lot when I first got my car but I still helped. But he is gone now and I don't have the expertise avasilable

anymore.

I've owned Porsches since I was 20 years old but I am now pushing 63.

Also, When I bought my car, the belts were already replaced by the PO. And I

haven't driven the car that much so my belts have been ok but now the water pump

is leaking and I must do something to fix this before my belts go along with the

water pump. I have not seen this procedure done before so this is quite a

daunting quest for me. So, yes I understand the questions but I will still need

some help approaching this. And no I am not looking for pity, otherwise I get around just fine.
Thanks for asking.

wild man · 06-06-2010, 07:39 PM

Heart failure issues sure can't be much fun. I'm rooting for you to make it at least 7 more years. At that point, you could lay claim to a full half-century run! Don't you use manuals though? They can be almost as helpful as another person, and in some cases, even more so, depending on what the recruited individual knows.

Gordon Rankin · 06-06-2010, 10:13 PM

Well basically I probably have the procedure memorized, I've read it so much over the last 9 years. I would like to be able to observe the real thing at least once before I try it. My main problem is that I don't have the physical strength to actually undue the A/C tensioner, that being the first step, if I remember correctly. But I am going out to buy some longer length open ends Wed, which may do the trick..with more leverage.
Wildman, thank you for "challenging " me..Its kind of inspired me to tackle this issue myself.. And if I run into trouble, you will just fly out to Calif.....Right? : ))
However, tomorrow morning I must clean the grounds under the dash and my dash itself is somewhat in pieces as I did tear into that yesterday.

89-944NA · 89-944NA's Garage

PM sent

wild man · 06-07-2010, 02:02 PM

Hey, you pay for my flight ticket there and back, and I'll be more than willing to help you right out, with any problem you have. Maybe I should mention it now that the offer also extends to pretty much anyone on the west coast. Back to the subject, would a video , with explanatory narration, be an acceptable alternative? My "big" upgrade job is slated to begin on the 17th of this month, and belt/waterpump replacement is part of the gig. I can even go 1080 on video, if you would like.

Gordon Rankin · 06-07-2010, 05:18 PM

Wild man..
Thanks for the offer to fly out. Sorry but the "banker" went on vacation with the divorce (this is a good thing though) ... Maybe next life.
Hey, a video would be spectacular...1080 isn't necessary but actually anything would do. Maybe a torrent file?
Thanks again..

kfray · kfray's Garage

This should help
YouTube - Porsche 944 Turbo Water Pump Change - part 1.wmv

Good luck

Gordon Rankin · 06-07-2010, 06:51 PM

Thanks Keith..
I am amazed sometimes to see what is on UTUBE.

wild man · 06-08-2010, 05:14 AM

There you have it. That saves me the trouble of having to set up the equipment, and having to mind my manors & language, while doing the job. But I still strongly suggest that you go over, and familiarize yourself with, the procedures in the factory service manual. Go to the lowest link on the944, if you don't know where to find the manuals. Good luck, and, I've never said this before, happy motoring. -Steve

Gordon Rankin · 06-08-2010, 05:22 AM

Thanks Steve. But manners and language define the individual.. So go with it! lol

wild man · 06-08-2010, 05:47 AM

That's easy to say, but when producing a video, a certain level of professionalism needs to be maintained, or viewers will look at it as a joke. Unless continuously concentrating on being on my best behavior, my manors are caveman-like. Are you saying that, even after viewing the procedure in the above link (I haven't viewed it), you would still like to see to see a video of the way I would do it? It's going to be almost 2 weeks until I get to the job(s) at hand.

Gordon Rankin · 06-08-2010, 08:26 AM

You might want to look at those U-tube videos yourself. He fast forwards a lot and leaves out any of the possible problems which he might have encountered. Any fine points of problems are left out. The essentials are there but the three videos he did, leave a lot to be desired. And anyway, who wants something that is so sanitary? lol .. Additionally, it would be nice to see how to do the tensioning procedure with the proper tool, This is something that he did not do in the video(s). Also he did not show TDC on the flywheel before he placed the flywheel lock. I do not want to be critical as obviously the guy did do a bang up job of showing many other facets of the procedure.

wild man · 06-08-2010, 12:49 PM

I all honesty, I'm not sure that I would be able to do any better. I haven't done one in quite a few years. And I don't have the proper tool, either. In all probability, I will be referencing the manual myself. Off the top of my head, the procedure would be: Line up timing marks> remove covers> Loosen cam-bolt on BB tensioner> loosen the bolts on the TB's spring tensioner & use a leverage tool to compress the spring, holding it compressed while you re-tighten the bolt> remove BB, TB, & install the new TB (if you are not also replacing the WP - at least check the shaft play), starting at the bottom, making sure the teeth are fully engaged in the pulley notches> loosen the spring bolt and let it tension the belt> turn the crankshaft forward so many degrees (I don't remember exactly, it's been so long), and tighten up the 2 tensioner bolts> verify timing> install new BB and tension it, using whatever method you prefer (this is the gray area)> after tensioner bolt is tight, verify timing marks (all 4 this time)> replace covers> you are done> recheck belt tension at around 1500 miles.

Gordon Rankin · 06-08-2010, 02:55 PM

Steve, With you around, who needs the manual? ( J/K ) That's great.. Thanks again.