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CAM BELT CHANGE.

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From what I can see my 1989 944S has done 30K since its last cam belt change with all the trimmings according to the service history. The engine runs sweet without any disturbing rattles but I would imagine its due for a new cam belt. I have been looking at http://www.porscheshop.co.uk/ and there is a choice of kits ranging form just the belt to a full kit. How far do I need to go on this one and can the job be done without the aid of a Porsche trained drone??? [FONT=verdana,geneva"]What do you also recommend as oil for an engine which as done 114K??[FONT=verdana,geneva"] [FONT=verdana,geneva"]Thanks!!![FONT=verdana,geneva"]
 
Cambelt change seems to be regarded as a bit of a black art on here ... last time my S2 needed them done, I paid someone to do it, partially as I was in a rush and didn't have the time to investigate or to do the work (and it was November, and I have no garage!)

Next time they need doing, I'm doing them myself. They are just cam belts, and if you have done them on any other engine it will be pretty much the same. It's all down to how experienced you are, how confident you are and how good a toolkit you have.

(Note - it's worth changing both the cam belt and the balance belt at the same time, for a bunch of reasons.)

I'd buy the full kit - pulleys and all.


Oli.
 
Your S2 has an auto-tensioner Oli which makes it a bit less of a guess to set the tension - the 944S does not. I agree however that a cambelt is a cambelt and the quarter-turn rule is probably sufficient.
 
Ian,

Ahhhh .... the auto-tensioner ... yes, that's my reasoning. The auto-tensioner should get the tension right (or certainly within tolerance). However, others seem to insist that a tension-measuring tool is essential ...

When I had my belt done, it needed to go back 1500 miles later for the tension check. I called up the indy who did it, who quoted me an hours work (£60 all in) to do it. I asked what was involved, he said "taking the covers off, measuring the tension, putting the covers back on."

I asked whether he would measure the tension for free if I took the covers off. He said he would ... so I went there with a toolkit, removed the covers in his workshop (cue much good-natured laughing at me for being so slow), and I called him over to measure the tension.

I expected him to come over with a tension measuring tool ... turns out he didn't have one; he did the ol' quarter-turn trick, said "that feels about right", and I put the covers back on. Apparently it's every bit as accurate as the tool, and much cheaper ... and I decided that next time the belt needs changing, I'll do it myself ...

(He also stamped the book to say it had been checked, and I wandered back there later in the day with a four-pack of beer. Good relations are important with your indy!)


Oli.
 
ORIGINAL: xenon

Your S2 has an auto-tensioner Oli which makes it a bit less of a guess to set the tension - the 944S does not. I agree however that a cambelt is a cambelt and the quarter-turn rule is probably sufficient.
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Not correct. The S has exactly the same arrangement as the S2. While the auto tensioner gets the tension in the 'ball park' it's not quite accurate enough. Mine set a new belt too tight. When new they're probably ok but at getting on for 20 years old I think that the spring will be past it's best. As for the difficulty of the job, I've just done both belts and all the pulleys and providing you can lock the flywheel to get the crank pulleys off not really too difficult, just a bit fiddly.
 
Yes, you're right in this age. The 86 and earlier have a different arrangement - the 1989 model in question is the same as the S2, as you say.
 
ORIGINAL: locodude
When new they're probably ok but at getting on for 20 years old I think that the spring will be past it's best.
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Isn't the tensioner one of the pulleys - therefore a part which is replaced?


Oli.
 
ORIGINAL: locodude

providing you can lock the flywheel to get the crank pulleys off not really too difficult, just a bit fiddly.
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How did you lock the flywheel? Do you have the p9201 tool or did you make up your own, and what is the tool anyway? a thick strip piece of steel with two threaded bolt holes???
 
I have changed many a belt in my short life on various engines using the hand book and most use the quarter turn rule, call me a 944S virgin but as I am not yet up to speed with my new toy and on a learning curve where does the balance belt come into this. I have also purchased on e-bay for a few £ what I thought was the full manual for my model but it was not to be.[FONT=verdana,geneva"]Where can I get hold of such a copy which cover the 944S engine as well, if I could see what needs doing before hand it would help.[FONT=verdana,geneva"] [FONT=verdana,geneva"]thanks!![FONT=verdana,geneva"]
 
full manual
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If it's not available from www.cannell.co.uk I'll eat my sunroof. Rick doesn't charge for the downloads, so I have no problem suggesting you browse his other sites whilst you're there. [:)]
 
Balance belt and cam belt run next to each other, and it is usual to change both at once.

If the balance belt goes, apparently it can take an otherwise-fine cam belt with it.


Oli.
 
I made my own tool just a piece of flat plate with a block welded to it that has a few teeth cut in with an angle grinder. I also have a tension tool from arnnworks in the states. As for the tensioner wheel, this cannot be done unless the tensioner is off (s and s2), which needs the flywheel pulley off!
 
Thanks! That tool sounds like something I could make! Can you post a picture and some measurements of your tool and could I also trouble you for a few words on how to use it???

BTW , do you mean "Crankshaft pulley" rather than flywheel pulley as the flywheel is at the other end of the engine from the belts. Not picking fault in your post. I'm just very keen to do the belts and rollers job next time and forever more on my car (944 S2). So I am in " accurate information gathering mode"[;)].

The haynes manual is worse than useless in the matter of belt changes.[:mad:]
 
ORIGINAL: morris944s2john


The haynes manual is worse than useless in the matter of belt changes.[:mad:]
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I have yet to find anything of use from my haynes manual tbh - can't quite believe I wasted £20 on it[8|]

I second the Cannell site as well as the Clarke one - both invaluable for me so far.
 
ORIGINAL: xenon

John - the Clark's Garage site has a very good step-by-step guide to belt changing.
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Yes, i've been studying the Clarkes garage pages- agree great site. But they do not describe or show the engine lock tool. Is it available for reasonable cost in the UK?? If not I want to make one.
 
Yeah sorry crankshaft pulley. I'm in the middle of 2 threads at the moment and changing flywheels at work. Keep getting mucking fuddled!
 
ORIGINAL: morris944s2john
Is it available for reasonable cost in the UK??
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John,

Check out Bruce Arnn's site http://www.arnnworx.com. He's not UK based, but he makes his own versions of most of the tools you need for 944 maintenance. I've bought stuff from him and been more than impressed.

HTH,

Jim.
 
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