The New Guy Again!! Timing Belt?

[bemrman]

I bought this car and the owner said that the timing belt had been replaced but it had been some time ago. Turns out, as I went thru all his records, it was installed in 1997 when the car had 38k miles on it. It is now 2010 and the car has 56k miles on it. Is it the mileage or the time that hurts it the worst? And does it need to be replaced ASAP?

[RichardE]

They say 5 years or 100,000 km's for modern vehicles. So on the age factor you are well overdue. Regardless I would be changing the belt anyway. the consequences aren't worth it and you will know exactly where you stand.

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by bemrman

I bought this car and the owner said that the timing belt had been replaced but it had been some time ago. Turns out, as I went thru all his records, it was installed in 1997 when the car had 38k miles on it. It is now 2010 and the car has 56k miles on it. Is it the mileage or the time that hurts it the worst? And does it need to be replaced ASAP?

First, Do not drive the car with a 13 year old belt.
Second, Change all the belt rollers.
Third. Get a complete kit on Pelican.

The rollers were recalled due to the plastic cracking and crumbling. If you have no records of changed rollers---do it.

The belt needs to be retensioned at 1000-1500 miles

Finally 100,000 km is about 62,000 miles. This is at the high end (moon) of belt changes.
The 944 max is about 45,000 miles. I would never suggest over 30,000. I change my Pelican $11.75 cam/timing belt every other year or close to it. I do not count the miles.
Camshaft / Balance Shaft Belt Information

GL
John

[ernie9944]

Yes it should be done ASP, both the mileage & time should be taken into account ,35 to 40 k miles or every 4 to 5 years maximum. Thirteen years is a very long time for those belts being on the car.I will suggest you buy a TB kit witch include (timing belts___balance shafts belts __tension roller & idle roller(available here from our host new parts catalog).You didn't mention the year of your 944, but if it's an early model with the old style water pump, if a were you I'll would seriously consider about updating to a late style water pump since you'll be in there .Could you please send us -year of the car -your location & pics if available.

[ernie9944]

Pics of TB kit _old style wp & new style wp.

[bemrman]

Thanks for all the help guys and by the way it is a 1991 S2. Sam.

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by bemrman

Thanks for all the help guys and by the way it is a 1991 S2. Sam.

Oh! man not only the TB but the very very important chaine tensioner & pads the chaine ride on has to be check ASP,If the pads or chain let go your looking into thousand of dollars of repair since it will ruin the 16v head witch is very expensive to buy or fixe.As John mention do not start the car & run it before those are check.John will come one & link you the the maintenance that as to be done on a 16v head.In the meantime this is what the inside of a 16v head look like.As you can see the chain ride on a pad witch after a while gets brittle & let go causing damage to camshafts .Did any records shown those being done in the last 60,k miles??

[John_AZ]

This is a recent link on the maintenance and hazards of the chain pads.
I think this is the link ernie refers too.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/561409-hello-new-944-owner-s2-3ltr-question-over-cam-tensioner.html

GL
John

[ernie9944]

Thanks John those are the link, it will certainly help__bemrman _ realize the difference between an 8 & 16 valves head & why it so important to do the maintenance on it.

[bemrman]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

This is a recent link on the maintenance and hazards of the chain pads.
I think this is the link ernie refers too.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/561409-hello-new-944-owner-s2-3ltr-question-over-cam-tensioner.html

GL
John

Originally Posted by ernie9944

Thanks John those are the link, it will certainly help__bemrman _ realize the difference between an 8 & 16 valves head & why it so important to do the maintenance on it.

Thanks Guys!!!!
There is no record of this ever being done. I will not start the motor and I have called a local Euro shop for a price on this, but could'nt help wondering if I could do it myself. Could I rent the tools and the manuals? I have built several engines when I road raced motorcycles and I did all my own maintainence on my E46 M3, even the valve adjustements. I have built a couple of engines for Porsches in the pasted. One was a 2.0ltr for my 1975 914 and the other was a 2.5ltr for a friends 911. Different beasts I understand but mechanical ability I have.

Any thoughts?

[ernie9944]

I know that on Rennlist 968 Forum there is a complete step by step DIY for doing the job plus a list of all the parts needed to do it. Even though it's for a 968 I believe the S2 will be pretty close the same ,I'm no good at linking so maybe once again John can come to the rescue,also Flash 968 on this forum is very knowledgeable about 968 having been around them for quiete a while maybe he could chip in with some pieces of advices.This not an easy job you will have to gather all the infos possible ,order all the parts you need before you start, & get help from guys you know's how about it & will guide you in.You migth not have to change the chain at 56k miles just the tensioner & pads.

[John_AZ]

Maybe...
Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement

or again Clarks

Camshaft Chain and Tensioner Replacement (16V Engines)

Lots of basic info on Clarks Clark's Garage Home Page

GL
John

[ernie9944]

Pm to you John ___also a pm for you bemrman.

[John_AZ]

OH, thanks for direction...

DIY camshaft chain tensioner

DIY - Camshaft chain, tensioner pads - Rennlist Discussion Forums

John