Cam belts and chain tensioner

[Guest]

Hi,
How often should the cam belts and chain tensioners be replaced? (944 s2)

Also what is the cost of each item to do.

thanks

Amo

 

[Diver944]

According to the service book the cam belt and balance shaft belt should be changed every 48k miles or 4 years whichever is sooner, but most 944 owners err on the side of caution and change at 36k or 3 years. This costs circa £200 from specialists independants, and they should be retensioned after 1000 miles.

The cam chain is a completely seperate thing on the S and S2 944's and has never ever been covered on any official service plan from Porsche []

A lot of people don't know about this to their cost, and there have been reports of chains snapping or rounding off the camshaft sprockets after about 80,000 miles because the tensioner, or the plastic block upon it gets weak and can't maintain the tension.

Most independants will fit a new cam chain and tensioner block for circa £200 again, and a new tensioner itself for another £200. My personal guideline is to get it inspected after 50,000 miles or 4 years (very quick to inspect) and then budget to get it changed if it has started to weaken.

If your camchain does snap expect a bill for over £1k (more if valves or pistons get damaged)

 

[Guest]

Hi,
I have looked in my service book and cant see balance shaft belt any where. What is this item for?
To recap I need:

Cam belt
Cam chain
Plastic block? (is it true there are 2 of these and u cant get to the bottom one?)
Balance shaft belt?

Is it possible for the mechanic to just view the above items and tell if they need changing?

thanks

Amolak

 

[Diver944]

On page 17 of my 1990 S2 book it says '48kmiles exchange camshaft toothed belt' and '60k miles exchange toothed belt'. The latter is the balance shaft belt. They are both in the same place under the same covers so everyone changes them at the same time (its no point paying the same labour a year later for a £20 belt)