I think I am going to do my first timing belt change

951527 · 01-16-2002, 10:01 AM

I just realized that It has been at least 15k miles since I had the timing belts done on my car when I bought it 2 years ago. I had a local Porsche shop do them when I bought the car. Never worked on a Porsche before so I paid them. Had the retension done 1500 miles later. My car has been vibrating lately and I have been thinking it may be a slipped or streched belt. I did the motor mounts myself last winter, so it shouldn't be them. WHht a pain those were. Good thing I love this car. Car is daily driver, and I did my first three track events last year, and will do more than three this year. Seems like good insurance to go ahead and replace the belts as opposed to retension. My cars is an 86 951. It had 28k miles on it when I bought it. I don't have factory manuals. Got the haynes. I am looking for a good write up explaining how to and if I need special tools. I saw someone mention an April 2000 issue of Excellence. Anyone think this is good or possibly knows of a site on the internet with a step by step. I will look into renting the tension tool. I think Pelican rents it. I will do the seal also since I passed on it when I had the belts done and I see drips of oil hanging off the bottom of the plastic cam cover. Should I do rollers also.

John

Lawrence Coppari · 01-17-2002, 04:31 AM

The only special tool you will need, besides the tensioner, is a fixed wrench that can adjust the tensioners while another wrench tightens the set bolt. You can buy a cheapie wrench and bend it yourself like I did (heat before bending). A standard socket wrench can be used to tighten the set bolt while it is held by the offset wrench. Turning the set bolt will move the tensioner so you have to restrain it.

I would change the balance shaft belt also. If it were to break, it could get into the cam belt and cause serious head damage.

As far as the other wheels are concerned you could listen to them with a stethoscope and see if they are noisy. Or you could use the shotgun approach and replace them all. Whatever makes you happy....

I change my belts every year because car is track car.

951527 · 01-17-2002, 06:13 AM

I talked to someone at Pelican Parts about renting the tension tool. They had three that they lent out. They charge $50 for the rental and $400 on you credit card in case you don't return it. All three are gone and never returned.

Any one know if the belt procedures are good in the 944 garage website?

Lawrence Coppari · 01-17-2002, 07:13 AM

Search on Pelican about timing belt tension. Also search under Krikit. Many, including myself, use the inexpensive tool, Krikit. Much has been written about the procedure. Search Pelican.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

The Krikit works well, and as for the special tool to hold the tensioner bolt I found that a flat cresent wrench works great! But if you have to pull the balance shaft sprokets you will need to fashion a pin holder or get the sproket holder wrench. If you need one email me I have one you can borrow. Also have a Krikit you can use, but they are cheap to buy.

951527 · 01-17-2002, 09:38 AM

Scott R

I just ordered the krikit from the napa down the street $11. I plan to do the seals as well as the belts, so from what I see in the porsche garage site i need to pull the sprocket. Can I use a screwdriver to get the seals out and a socket to press them back in. The tool you mentioned is it this

I will probably get the flywheel lock also since I have not done belts on any car.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Yes thats the OEM tool. I have a *cheaper* adjustable version that worked well for me. I got it off Ebay for a couple of bucks. And yes all I did was pry the original seals out then I pressed the new ones in with a large diameter socket. Depending on which vendor you use for the seals make sure you get the front main as well. The vendor I ordered my belt and seal kit from did not include it in the kit and I had to call back and get one. You will also need a LARGE breaker bar and a 24mm socket for the front main pulley. And inversely a 1/2" torque wrench to make sure you get the 24mm bolt torqued right or it will come back out.

951527 · 01-17-2002, 12:32 PM

Anyone use this tool. It supposedly will hold the tensioner while you break the nut loos and it is used as in place of that bent Porsche wrench.

951527 · 01-29-2002, 06:55 AM

From what I have been reading, I will need to rotate the crank at certain times. How do I do this. I know I could probably bump the starter, but fear I may mess up.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

No just get a 24mm socket on the front pulley bolt and rotate it from there. Remove the #1 spark plug it will make it much easier. Do not use the starter bump method. Espically if the cam belt it off! It can potentially bend the valves. Use a breaker bar and the 24mm socket and have an assistant look for the "0T" marker in the bellhousing window.