At how many miles should you replace 964 Distributer Belts?

[David Schmidt]

My 964 has around 82,000 miles on it. I'm doing some maintenance on the engine and need to know at what point (in MILES) does PORSCHE recommend replacing the engines 2 DISTRIBUTER BELTS.

If one of the belts were to break while driving the car...what would it do to the engine?

Thanks

[Hamptonsam]

Not sure about 2 belts - i believe it is just one belt. If it breaks, it can do some serious damage if it fires the wrong cylinder at the wrong time. Does you have the vent kit installed? If not, and original belt, I would have it changed.

[David Schmidt]

Hello Hampton Sam:

I appreciate your response to my post. Do you, or anyone else out there, know the approximate mileage PORSCHE recommends to replace the DISTRIBUTER BELT in the 964?

[TMc993]

There's nothing in the service schedule specifying a specific mileage for changing the distributor belt. Many independent shops recommend checking it every 12K miles and replacing it every 60K miles. Some belts break before that point, others go much longer. In my mind, it's better to err on the safe side because breakage can possibly cause damage to your engine.

[RedCoupe]

I think time is just as important as mileage with something like a rubber belt. Let's face it, our cars are getting a little long in the tooth, so if your belt (there is only one) hasn't ever been changed, it would be prudent to do so. I changed the belt on my 1990 about three years ago and I know that the original belt had broken and been replaced at least once. My old belt was still in good condition, but there isn't a good way of examining the belt until the distributor is out and apart and I felt better having installed the new belt and cleaned and examined the distributor and all the bearings.

[TMc993]

Originally Posted by RedCoupe

I think time is just as important as mileage with something like a rubber belt. Let's face it, our cars are getting a little long in the tooth, so if your belt (there is only one) hasn't ever been changed, it would be prudent to do so. I changed the belt on my 1990 about three years ago and I know that the original belt had broken and been replaced at least once. My old belt was still in good condition, but there isn't a good way of examining the belt until the distributor is out and apart and I felt better having installed the new belt and cleaned and examined the distributor and all the bearings.

Good point. Mileage-based service intervals are less meaningful if the car isn't driven much.

[bazar01]

My 1993 C2 twin dizzy belt replaced in August 2005 at 74k miles and 12 years old.
You can see the belt ply, very thin and about to break.
Bearings were fine and serviced early enough it just needed cleaning and regreasing. Bearings get dry over time and fail. If you wait too long, bearings may need replacing.

[yel911]

i think time is just as important as mileage with something like a rubber belt.

+2