i dodged another bullet
 

so i noticed an unusual amount of belt dust, rough idling/running, and a whining noise from the belt area;
http://gallery.silentmedia.com/d/58606-2/IMG_1998-2.jpg

diagram of belts;
http://www.clarks-garage.com/graphics/time4.gif

open up the belt cover and both the timing and balance belts are worn in an unusual manner;
http://gallery.silentmedia.com/d/58610-1/IMG_1997-3.jpg

apparantly, one of the inside cover screws had gotten loose and after travelling around the belt system, ended up lodged by the upper balance shaft sprocket. also note that all of the teeth on the backside of the belt have been shaved smooth!
http://gallery.silentmedia.com/d/58613-1/IMG_1995-3.jpg

so now i have a custom one-of-a-kind screw-slot;
http://gallery.silentmedia.com/d/58616-1/IMG_1996-3.jpg

Holy ****.

Another plus for not having my front covers on.

I have a question. I have been told by Porsche mechanics that the 944 na is an interference engine due to its higher compression, but the 951 has lower compression and the piston tops are concave so a belt failure would not damage valves/rods etc. In other words a belt failure in a 951 is not catastrophic. True / false
Sox

False. It would be if you could notch some relief into the piston tops. Not enough material unfortunately.

thanks...not that I was going to test this theory.
Sox

The 944 motor, for arguments sake, is basically half of a 928 motor. (in general terms).....

I am the only person I can find that broke a timing belt in a 928s4 (32v) motor and did not have the pistons hit the valves. 190 compression on all cylinders after it broke. It might have beed because it let go when I turned the motor off, but I would like to know if anyone else has survived the incedent?

So, you *might* survive a broken timing belt, but the odds are you will be openning your wallet and seeing your banker!

Cheers

sheesh... that was a close call.