Belts advice needed please

[ians]

Reposting this as I realise I hijacked someone else's thread...

I just checked my service history last night and it appears that both belts were changed 32k miles and 9 years ago, so sounds like they are due.

What is the consensous on what exactly to get replaced? Both belts a given, but what about rollers/tensioner? Some of the menu based servicing prices I've seen (RPM Porsche for example) just include belts, no rollers.

Can someone advise what I should sensibly get done, and how much to expect from a decent indie?

Also I read about the camshaft timing chain needing inspecting. Car has done 94k. Do I need to do anything on that?

Cheers,

Ian

 

[AndrewS]

Hi Ian,

It makes sense to change the rollers as well. The bearings dry out and the rollers wear and the kits combining the two make the parts quite cheap when purchased that way. As the rollers really require removal to check their condition, you are paying for the labour anyway. If you want to chance it with just the belts - it will save about £120 over the total kit. Labour time is about 1.5 to 2 hours (depending on where you go)

If you have a 16v motor, it is worth lifting the cam cover and checking the chain tensioner and pad (as well as the chain and cam drives).

Regards,
Andrew

 

[ians]

Thanks Andrew.

Re the cam cover, can I do that myself (and know what to look for) or is it really a dealer job? Actually there is a slight oil seepage around the seal so could probably do with being replaced anyway.

I usually do such stuff on my other cars (Vauxhalls) but haven't summed up the courage on the Porsche yet.

Cheers

Ian

 

[AndrewS]

Hi Ian,

I am sure you can do that yourself. Any wear on the tensioner slipper should be very evident. It should press firmly against the chain. You need to very closely examine the teeth on each camshaft to see what sort of wear you have there too.

The belts are more of a challenge as you really need the special tensioning tool to do them correctly.

Regards,
Andrew

 

[ians]

How much should I be looking at for belts and rollers do you think?

 

[Diver944]

Some useful links with pictures showing how to inspect your camchain:

http://boerger.golden-tech.com/images/cam_chain_tensioner_replacement.htm

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/cam-04.htm

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: ians

How much should I be looking at for belts and rollers do you think?

It's normally better value when incorportaed with a service, but if done stand alone expect to pay between £500-£700 depending where you go. Lots of Indy's now have some of the more common jobs listed on their websites

Here is Hartechs price list which is more comprehensive than most:

http://www.hartech.org.uk/docs/Prices_Jan_2007.pdf

 

[ians]

Thanks Paul.

I know of Hartech - unfortuanely a long way away from me. I have Northway just down the road though - not spoken to them yet.

Hartech seem to price belts at £295 (+ VAT) (or as you say much less with a big service). Am I missing something when you say £500-700?

Cheers
Ian

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: ians

Am I missing something when you say £500-700?

Yep []

I said 'depending where you go'

Hartech are about the cheapest (and most highly respected) 944 specialists but are a long way from you. Their £300 is for belts only, you wanted a price for rollers and tensioners. Add £200 on top for that, plus your south of the country premium, plus VAT and you'll be in the £5-700 ballpark []

 

[ians]

Thanks Paul.

...southern theiving b'stards.. ( no offence!)

Cheers,
Ian

 

[carlmthompson]

ORIGINAL: Diver944


Hartech are about the cheapest (and most highly respected) 944 specialists but are a long way from you. Their £300 is for belts only, you wanted a price for rollers and tensioners. Add £200 on top for that, plus your south of the country premium, plus VAT and you'll be in the £5-700 ballpark []

Hartech aren't that close to me, but the price for doing the belts looks quite tempting when combined with a major service (which I also need this year). Pity they don't have a price for rollers etc. and waterpump at the same time - I guess that's what the phone was invented for! Don't suppose you know if they do curtosy cars? If they did, combining it with a work trip to Blackpool could be a goer!

 

[George Elliott]

Carl, You do the Belts and rollers and the Water pump goes noisy on the way home, been there.. I got a Promax Kit of Parts and paid £450 to get the lot fitted (plus an engine mount on the RHSide)
- Ireland - where we're famous for hard work []
George

944T

 

[carlmthompson]

I figured that exact scenario George - 17 years and 1 waterpump, it must be getting a bit fragile by now!