951 timing belt

[Cat Bellew]

Thanks for all the great info! My turbo is bout ready for the timing belt change. I'm wondering if I should tackle it myself or fork out the $300 to $600 that local GOOD shops are charging? How hard is it? What special tools will I need? How do I set the tension? I have a 1988 944 Turbo S.

[rstoll]

I bought my 44 with the valves whacked. Pulled the head myself, had all new valves, guides and seals installed at a local machine shop and reassembled myself. The timing and balance belts are no big deal. Just measure twice and cut once, as the carpenter says. Follow the shop manual and roll the engine over by hand to make sure you have it right. Good idea to remove spark plugs and roll the engine by hand before you change belt to get a feel for it. Then change both balance and timing belts. Does your car have the auto tensioner? Mine does not. The local P mechanic told me to tighten until you can just twist the long part of the timing belt 90 degrees. The balance belt will be noisy if you get it too tight. Just think, if you do it yourself you can also put a new water pump and t-stat on for about the same money a shop would charge just to do the belts! Good luck.

------------------
Robert Stoll
83 SC
83 944

[Weldin]

Robert
When you say 90 degrees, do you mean total, or in each direction (180 total) - please clarify. Thanks

[rstoll]

Perpendicular? I guess like half way. Perpendicular to normal plane of belt. Hard to explain, but easy to do.

------------------
Robert Stoll
83 SC
83 944

[Pilot_951S]

FYI the 88 951 has the auto tensioner, however the balance shaft belt still needs to be tensioned. You can do it yourself, but I recommend renting the tool to check the belt tension.

I don't know where to rent one, we have one at the shop that I work at so its an issue I don't have.

And no I'm not a tech, I'm a desk jockey.

------------------
The shortest distance between two points is in my car.

[wolfrpi]

The job really isn't that bad as long as you get the timing correct (timing belt) and with an auto tensioner you need not be concerned with using the "tool". On the balance belt, I have found that adjusting the tension so that the belt does not "whine" works the best. I haven't personally had experience with the tensioner, although it may be a good idea.

Erick

[monteness]

Follow the procedure, it's not that bad. I have a friend with his own shop who helped me on the first one. When were all the rollers changed,,look at them carefully. I think IF you have any misgivings about it even the slightest, get the shop to do it. Good luck

[This message has been edited by monteness (edited 12-20-2000).]

[This message has been edited by monteness (edited 12-20-2000).]

[Dave951]

Okay, I'm probably going to get flack for this, but here goes.

When I changed my belts, I rented the tool from Pelican. It was $50 plus shipping. I will never rent the tool again. I see this issue in the following manner. Porsche says to use the tool so that any grease monkey, no matter how dumb, can put the tool on and read a number. This way, there is a consensus tension. I believe that tensioning a belt is common sense. If you have pretty good mechanical instincts, you can get the belt tensioned just fine. I tensioned by feel first, and then put the tool on. Guess what, it was just fine. I will buy that kricket tool that is the latest rave just in case, but I'm not worrying about my belts. Hey, it's not like I have a 16V engine, I'll only bend 8 just kidding. Well, the job is easy and I recommend doing it yourself. Rent the tool from Pelican or buy the Kricket(people say it does the job). Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

Dave