Balance Shaft Belt

[jackiitt2002]

Just brought a 1984 944, no work history with it, so before going much further i am giving it the once over.
Much to my surprise after pulling the timing covers off, the balance shaft belt is missing.
Could anyone tell me why this may have been removed, could there be a reason why someone has removed it?
All info would be helpfully, would prefer to know before i put it all back together weather there could be a problem that i should be looking out for.
The car seemed to be running ok without the belt.

[9FF]

The car will run a lot better with the belt in place, less vibration, smoother running. Without that belt you risk your oil pick-up tube cracking and your engine will be toast. Get a new one, replace timing belt, water pump and all the rollers and seals while you are in there and you should be good for 30k miles.

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by jackiitt2002

Just brought a 1984 944, no work history with it, so before going much further i am giving it the once over.

Congratulations & welcome.

Much to my surprise after pulling the timing covers off, the balance shaft belt is missing.
Could anyone tell me why this may have been removed, could there be a reason why someone has removed it?

Does the car have a lot of "track decals" on the side? The track guys leave the BB balance belt off and get an extra HP horse power out of the car.

All info would be helpfully, would prefer to know before i put it all back together weather there could be a problem that i should be looking out for.
The car seemed to be running ok without the belt.

Do what 9FF suggested. You will find a lot more parts to spend money on once you start working on the car.

If you leave the BB off it will also vibrate the fuel rail into failing and cause an engine fire.

Early 944s '85-1 series were known for wiring problems.

If you want to avoid new problems, clean the battery posts and the engine grounds. Cover the hole on the bell housing to avoid dropping a nut in the clutch. If the battery cables have corrosion on the ends ---replace the ends with military cable ends or buy new cables----thick-2 guage if possible, not the cheap, thin WalMart, or AutoZone stuff.

Clean the fuse connections.

Check the alternator output and the condition of the battery.

Pelican sells a Gates BB and all the parts you will need. Good prices and fast shipping.

Protect the DME-engine computer. They are very sensitive and expensive to replace in time and money.

GL
John

[wild man]

Originally Posted by jackiitt2002

Could anyone tell me why this may have been removed, could there be a reason why someone has removed it?

Possible reasons (that I can think of, anyways) would be a bad roller or BS bearing or seal, or a PO couldn't handle the whine and didn't know how to tweak the whine out of it.

The other possibility is that it came off involuntarily (broke or got tossed), and the PO was either too intimidated, or simply didn't have a clue as how to properly replace it, and simply decided that the engine was running good enough to satisfy his needs without it.

Either way, this charactor should have never been messin' (with a p-car).

[Dr944S2]

Hi,

in Germany we had once a long discussion, what is the power gain when you remove this belt. In my eyes nothing, but some people have done it.

I would recommend you to install it in any case, the procedure of installing and adjusting you can see in my video:

Porsche 944 S2 How to replace water pump, timing belts and shaft seals - YouTube

Best regards,

Jürgen

[Timmay!]

Jurgen,
Ein video der gut war. Ich habe der CC button fur die englischen worte gefunden.
That was a good video. I found the CC button under the video for the english subtitles.
But seriously, thanks for posting that. It was really very clear.
Servus!

[jackiitt2002]

Thanks for all the help,
Next Question would be, the car has the old type water pump on it (which i will replace)
Shall i replace it with the upgraded type with the belt guard?
If so, at the moment the car has a 32mm timing belt roller, if i up grade the water pump do i up grade the timing belt kit from a 32mm belt roller to a 46.2mm belt roller.
Or do i stay with the 32mm timing kit.
Any thoughts would be helpfull and any think else i should be buying along with these kits to ensure the jobs done right and only once.
Lastly the bottom two tensioners on the lower left hand side of the engine near the power steering pump have a bit of oil around them, are there oil seals behind these tensioners or as it look the little bit of oil may have come from the power steering hose and leaked into the timing cover housing.