Belt Shavings (pics)

[exitwound]

Somehow I don't think this is normal. I opened up the timing belt cover to investigate what could be a cam shaft seal leak when I noticed that there are shavings of the timing belt all over. I don't remember any of my old belts doing this nor have ever seen this happen before on any engine. Obviously, it's rubbing against something but without really opening up the front end, I can't see what it is. Car runs fine and belt feels tight (twist method).

The shavings appear to be local to the cam shaft area and not below.

Ever seen this? What should I do?

[944sracer]

I have never seen this before.

It seems like the shavings are originating after the belt comes off of during its rotation around the cam tower. I'd take off the distributor cap and the metal covers its attached to and look there.

[mikepellegrini]

+1

I've seen that happen before when the belt rode back towards the cab a teeny bit and was rubbing on the back belt cover.

Is your back cover properly secured? Are all the rollers oriented properly?

[mytrplseven]

I saw this picture a few months back and can't remember what was the issue. If it was mine, I'd check everything: belt tension, idlers and tensioners to see if they're shot or one is frozen and whether one of the tensioners or idlers have loosened up on it's respective shaft.

[rsoles27]

mine looked alot like this then about ten or so teeth compelty shave off the belt.

[porsche4life]

Which side of the belt is showing wear? With that much missing you should be able to tell where it's coming off the belt, and that will narrow the possible causes.

[LUFTMAN]

check to see if crankshaft gear is on correctly. it should have washer like end on gear facing outward towards balance shaft big gear otherwise cambelt will be pushed out to rub on front covers. many times they are installed backwards after some one replaces a front crankshaft seal. the belt tensioner has the washer like end to the inside towards engine block thus the cambelt has a guide on both sides of belt to keep it running straight.

[Dantilla]

The balance shaft belt in my race car commited suicide in a similar fasion a couple years ago while on track.
Timing belt was fine.

Kinda odd.

[exitwound]

Originally Posted by 944sracer

I'd take off the distributor cap and the metal covers its attached to and look there.

That's how I got this picture actually. Under the distributor cap and cover, there doesn't seem to be any abnormal wear that I could see. There's also no oil leak, which I thought I'd find.

The timing belt covers seemed to be tight and nothing felt like it was rubbing. As you can see, there're no shavings on the bottom of the engine leading me to think that the rubbing it up top somewhere. Although, due to engine rotation, it could just be ending up there.

It's 18 degrees out now so I can't do any more checking, not until the weekend when it might hit 30!

[porschetub]

Would I be correct and in saying its plastic shaving and not rubber? is your cover secured with all the 6mm bolts?

[C ANDERSON]

It may just be the pic or angle but the edge of the belt on the the rh side looks like the edge of the cogs are chewed up. Also the inner cover looks close to the w/p pulley .

[porschetub]

I reckon its plastic and its on the outside edge of the cambelt and through cogs and rollers on the cambelt,not good,why is it not through the balance belt?
If the crank drive cog was loose there would be no oil pressure?so what else is chewing @ the plastic?
Call Sherlock Holmes