Cam belt change

[DarrylH]

I'm fairly sure they're chain driven on the S2, I know the tensioner is always worth changing though

 

[ChasR]

ORIGINAL: DarrylH I'm fairly sure they're chain driven on the S2, I know the tensioner is always worth changing though

Not quite, but close . The cambelt on a 944 needs replacing every 5 years or 48k. Many say 4 years although Porsche say 5. I have taken an S2 to 5 years without issues truth be told. It is worth changing both the cam and balance belt tensioners at the same time. The cam chain (the exhaust camshaft driven off the cambelt drives the inlet camshaft which is not driven by the belt) is not part of the service schedule but IIRC it is said to be worth checking the condition of the chain slipper pads (they tend to go brittle and yellow in age in addition to them forming grooves from the chain wearing into the pads. It has been said that it is worth replacing the cam chain at every second belt change (so every 90k) or at the very least inspecting it. With that in mind I would say between £400-600 is probably in the right ballpark from what I remember (others can advise better).

 

[Andy97]

Can anyone tell me what the cost of a cam belt change on an S2 is likely to be please. Ball park figure is fine. Asking on behalf of a mate who is considering buying an S2. Cheers, andy

 

[DarrylH]

Ah I stand corrected! I knew there was a chain in there somewhere haha

 

[colin944]

The answer to your question is a bit like "how long is a piece of string". I depends on what needs changed. Best to go and ask a good indy or even your local OPC. Then take the best ( no just the cheapest ) quote. But ball park anywhere between £400 and £1000 depending on what needs done.

 

[edh]

No different to an 8v Andy, so maybe £300-700. Might need waterpump, rollers, seals etc..and that makes a big difference Cam chain & tensioner is an extra concern and possible cost. Without a known history I'd be looking to have the cam cover off to check it all over.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

The cambelt on a 944 needs replacing every 5 years or 48k. Many say 4 years although Porsche say 5. I have taken an S2 to 5 years without issues truth be told

Hi Chas, Where does this come from? Every indie I've used has said four, and it's been the recommendation here for all my 10 years. The service book says 48K miles, and there's often confusion as they also list the 928, which is 60K miles. It would make sense that, for new cars, they convert that to four years for the 944, and five for the 928, as the average was considered to be 12K per year. We all know that a properly-fitted cambelt will last more than four years on a 944, in perfect conditions. The issue, particularly as they are getting older, is that there are plenty of cases where there's oil contamination within that time. I had to change a two-year-old belt for this reason. There are just so few cases of failures under four years, and such a significant number after four years, so it makes no sense to push your luck IMO. []

 

[ChasR]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

The cambelt on a 944 needs replacing every 5 years or 48k. Many say 4 years although Porsche say 5. I have taken an S2 to 5 years without issues truth be told

Hi Chas, Where does this come from? Every indie I've used has said four, and it's been the recommendation here for all my 10 years. The service book says 48K miles, and there's often confusion as they also list the 928, which is 60K miles. It would make sense that, for new cars, they convert that to four years for the 944, and five for the 928, as the average was considered to be 12K per year. We all know that a properly-fitted cambelt will last more than four years on a 944, in perfect conditions. The issue, particularly as they are getting older, is that there are plenty of cases where there's oil contamination within that time. I had to change a two-year-old belt for this reason. There are just so few cases of failures under four years, and such a significant number after four years, so it makes no sense to push your luck IMO. []

Hi Paul, Two local indies to me (one of which is very well renowned on this forum) mentioned that the schedule was 5 years on a 944 belt, although the pair of them were quite particular about the type of belts used (both used only Dayco belts on the cam belt, whereas the other indie was happy to use a ContiTech balance belt over the Dayco item). One of them hated the idea of using a ContiTech cam belt (going off a few threads on Rennlist it seems that he may have a point). TTM also mentioned it in another thread but with a caveat:

ORIGINAL: TTM Just an anorak comment : the manual mentions replacing the belts every 5 years, not 4.

ORIGINAL: TTM In that case I would think the timing belt was not tensioned properly. I just replaced mine at 5 years old (well, minus 1 month), have had it on and off countless times throughout these 5 years due to replacing camshafts/lifters. It never broke and did not even come from Porsche. For what it's worth anyway. In reply to the original poster, since this would be your first 944, my guess is that buying a minter will only encourage you to drive it all the time and ultimately ruin its resale value over the long term by piling on the miles. My S2 had something like 55k miles when I bought it, was my first "sports" car and I did about 1500 miles the first month, as it felt just sublime. 13 years later and with 130k miles on the clock it does not feel exactly as fresh and anymore (my fault for not giving it as much time as would be needed) but I don't mind what it may be worth these days as selling it is not in consideration, so how long would you consider keeping the car and how much would you plan to drive it? If I had the money to buy a very low mile mint 944 today I would definitely use it as little as possible and try to keep it as clean as possible, but that is also because I already have 2 to drive.