Cam Belt Auto Tensioner

[barks944]

Should I replace the auto tensioner with a belt change on my 87 turbo? Can I replace it with a manual tensioner?

 

[ChasR]

You can do, but I am not sure what you would have to gain from it. As for tensioning the belt manually, I believe it can be done to a degree with the auto tensioner since it is not strictly fully automatic unlike the 968 tensioner which is dynamic (From what I understand it tensions the belt all of the time, unlike the 944 item where it only tensions the belt when you change it and then you lock off the tensioner hence why some people use special tool 9201 and Krikits on all 944 belt changes.

I think you can remove the plunger spring though to make it fully manual adjusting.

Ignore my post, I've figured out you probably knew this already (doh!).

 

[barks944]

Thanks for that, so basically the spring might get the tension somwhere like correct but do a check on the belt tension and adjust accordingly.

 

[ChasR]

From what I understand you're pretty much on the right lines. The spring helped get the tension in the right ballpark (and according to Porsche at the time it did get the correct tension) but a number of people reckoned that there was a varience between different tensioners hence why people adjusted them manually. I believe using a Balancer shaft pulley spanner can help with retensioning.

 

[barks944]

Ah right, no need for me to spend any money then. Ideal. How do I actually get it off then? The clarks garage guide to removal is quite brief.

 

[JamesO]

If I remember correctly, when you do the belt job it just unbolts from the front of the engine with 3 or 4 bolts. The parts catalogue will probably make it clearer.

 

[ChasR]

That I will tell you in a week's time .

Two of the bolts are meant to be quite accessible, but the other bolt is hindered by the 5th roller. and needs to be removed via feel.

Here is a more annotated version of Clarke's cambelt change guide from Rennlist:

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/924-931-944-951-968-forum/488666-clarks-eng-05-belt-removal-procedure-updated-for-s2.html#post6382503

And a picture of the said autotensioner:

On the RH tensioner you will see where the 3 bolts go so as to give you an idea.

 

[barks944]

Excellent that's a great help, thanks all. Ill give that a go tomorrow.