Maintenance Question

[Its_Scott]

It's about that time for maintenance. Where do you guys get your timing belt kits? How much? Is this what you need (aside from the tools)?:

(1) Timing Belt (944 105 157 04 )
(1) Balance Shaft Belt (944 102 219 04)
(1) Balance Shaft Tensioner (944 102 025 07)
(1) Balance Shaft Idler (944 102 277 06)
(1) Timing Belt Idler (944 105 241 04)
(1) Timing Belt Idler (944 105 631 04)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-1989-Porsche-944-951-Timing-Belt-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33625QQihZ011QQitem Z320278299243QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Is there anything else I need? Is that eBay page a good place to buy it? I found a kit on Paragon Products: http://www.*****************.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=944%2DL%2DBR&CartID=1.

I'm not sure, but do people usually replace the water pump the same time they change the belts or is that unnecessary? If so, same questions for the water pump (where do you guys get it, how much, what do I need?) Thanks!

[John_AZ]

Hi Scott,

Pelican Parts has similiar kits and free shipping. The EBay shipping is $10.95. The advice the forum provides is "Priceless".
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_search.cgi?command=show_part_page&please_wait=N&make=POR&model=944M&section=BASflt&page=2&bookmark=7&part_number=10-9320-124-M21

The waterpump is usually changed by mileage. Some do it every 2nd belt change, again mileage. Do you have a record of the waterpump last change? When you change the belts/rollers, look for any leakage, grab the pully and pull in and out, any sideways motion? Does the bearing sound rough?
The best time to change it is when you do the front seals.

When you do change the waterpump, DO NOT buy from EBay! You have no history of the quality of rebuild and you do not want to get a cheap "New" pump with no warranty from a Post Office Box EBay seller.

What type of tension guage do you plan to use?

Good Luck

John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

[mikepellegrini]

When I did mine, I think I bought the kit here on Pelican. 944 Online also sells the kits. As does Vertex. And Paragon is supposed to be good, although I've never bought from them myself.

I tend to be a little paranoid dealing with anyone on eBay for something like this because I have no idea of their expertise (in supplying the correct parts) or on the quality of their parts.

That being said, when I got the kit from Pelican, it had the wrong cam belt included; so I went to the local auto parts store and bought one (Contitech) for about $20. No big deal.

My own personal prejudice is that it's a PITA dealing with people long distance when you have the wrong part... (and want the car back on the road NOW!).

Here's the parts list from Clark's: http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/eng-04.htm

And the general link for Clark's Garage Shop Manual: http://www.clarks-garage.com/ - which is invaluable.

A lot of people recommend you replace the studs for the rollers and what not; if you're unsure about how many miles are on the water pump, that too might be a good idea - since everything will be apart. Just depends on your budget and how willing you are to jump back into it later if it does go.

One special tool that's useful is a thin, angled 24 mm (I'm pretty sure it was 24mm) wrench for holding the cambelt tensioner while you tighten it. It has to be thin so you can get the other wrench in to tighten the nut. Makes things a whole lot easier.



Another thing that's esssential is a flywheel lock. You can pick up one of those from the places above.

Good luck!

[looneybin]

I am also going to be doing my belts soon.
Does anybody have anything good or bad to offer about the arnworx maxi-kit.
I'm thinking about purchasing that tool kit, but i'm unsure about the tension gauge.

[John_AZ]

looneybin,

To get real first hand knowledge from a new Arnworx buyer, PM paper1122. He will have recent experience.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=421195

GL
John_AZ

[Aslet]

I would agree that Ebay is not where you want any vital part from. What does everyone think about the belt kits on Pelican and 944Online though? My dad used to have a 944 and when he had his belts done, his mechanic told him OEM belts where the way to go... Any thoughts if the Pelican belts (Contitech) are good belts? I know lots of guys on here get them and have no trouble, I just want to see if anyone has an opinion...

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by Aslet

... Any thoughts if the Pelican belts (Contitech) are good belts? I know lots of guys on here get them and have no trouble, I just want to see if anyone has an opinion...

I change my timing/cam belt every 2 years. Always Pelican. $12 is the cheapest insurance that I can think of.

ALSO, consider changing belts when:
1. When your water pump leaks and drips inside..
2. When you do your front seals
3. When you notice your front crank seal is leaking more than usual.
4. You decided to go through the flooded wash and did not make it.
5. You wake up at night with a cold sweat thinking about it.
6. Join in..........

John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

[paper1122]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

looneybin,

To get real first hand knowledge from a new Arnworx buyer, PM paper1122. He will have recent experience.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=421195

GL
John_AZ

Yeah, once I got it all figured it out it was quite easy. Arnworx is a top-notch outfit! The tool is simple but works great, make sure you do tension it a couple of times until you get the same reading over and over again. It was the first time I've ever done timing belt work and it turned out good. The car is running great.

[John_AZ]

paper1122

Great to know! Thanks for the followup.

John_AZ

[looneybin]

Thanks, i guess i'll pick up an arnrorx setup

[mattdavis11]

It's too easy for me not to order my stuff from World Pac, the prices might be a tad high on some things, but I get them delivered that afternoon or the next morning.

Another source I use is Zims, but that is because their place is less than 15 minutes from my home, and 10 from the shop.

I have checked on prices from our host and most of the time they are cheaper. If I could afford more down time, I'd be more inclined to wait a couple of days for the parts to get to my door.

My current project, which has taken way too long, is everything up front but the water pump (mine is good) a new cam tower assembly and gasket. If you intend to change the seals on the front of the motor, look over the sleeves for the shafts (all of them), and the oil pump drive gear on the crank for grooves that are worn into them. If you don't polish out the grooves or replace them, you are probably going to have a leak again. I replaced all of mine. Also don't forget to buy some anaerobic sealant, you will need it for a reseal. It's not a hard job to do the water pump, belts and seals, but it can take awhile if you are as slow as I am.

For tools, I make my own, and use my fingers to check the tension on the belts.

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

It's too easy for me not to order my stuff from World Pac, the prices might be a tad high on some things, but I get them delivered that afternoon or the next morning.
For tools, I make my own, and use my fingers to check the tension on the belts.

Matt,
WorldPac seems to be for the "trade". I looked at their site and the registration page: http://www.worldpac.com/acct/registerdyn.php

You work/own an auto air conditioning shop.
Can I use your tax and account number?

I have made a few tools of my own. Many came from parts of tools I distroyed in sheer violent anger.

John_AZ

[mattdavis11]

You might be able to use your ssn as your tax id #, the self employed do it. It isn't hard to set up an LLC and run a shade tree account if that fails.

One of the guys at work has his own account separate from the shop, but he has to go get his parts. I can't imagine him having a tax id #.

I get lucky on the tools. My brother has a storage facility and if the owner doesn't pick up their stuff in 30 days, it's his. I get to nab stuff, then grind and bend them into what I need. You won't believe the amount of tools or variety that are never picked up. He doesn't even charge storage.