Cambelt technical query

[Guest]

I have a 1986 924S and I wondered if anyone could advise me how often the cambelt should be changed, in terms of elapsed miles and also (perhaps) within a specified time regardless of mileage (do cambelts perish over a period if not used much?)
I understand that, if a cambelt snaps, serious engine damage may result.

Thanks and best regards,
Noel Parker.

 

[Siggy]

According to Autodata its 45,000 miles

Dave

 

[Guest]

EVERY FOUR YEARS

 

[924nutter]

The 944 engine is historically a valve bender if the belt goes, as is the 924 turbo. The 924 n/a has cut-outs in the piston which prevent the valves clashing with the pistons. Yes the belt can fail due to inactivity, mine did but this was also down to a poorly, professionally, fitted jubilee clip not clamping up tight on a breather pipe, allowing oil residue to run, un-noticed, on to the belt making it fail within a few miles of it being taken out of lay-up.

 

[Guest]

Dave, Antony and 924 Nutter -Thank you for your advice.
Best regards,
Noel.

 

[Guest]

Coincidentally... my cambelt will be due for a change soon.

How much would I normally be expected to pay??

My local OPC couldn't provide a quote (ominous). Is there anyone on the North West (Mersyside) area that forum members would be happy to recommend??

Also.. is it normal for the balance shaft belts to be changed at the same time??

Many thanks
Mark

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: 924nutter

The 944 engine is historically a valve bender if the belt goes, as is the 924 turbo. The 924 n/a has cut-outs in the piston which prevent the valves clashing with the pistons. Yes the belt can fail due to inactivity, mine did but this was also down to a poorly, professionally, fitted jubilee clip not clamping up tight on a breather pipe, allowing oil residue to run, un-noticed, on to the belt making it fail within a few miles of it being taken out of lay-up.

So the 924 would be more or less alright if the cam belt went?

 

[924nutter]

Let me put it like this. Back in the early days of 924 ownership I was an animal and my first 924 was diven into the ground, but it refused to die. I eneded up owning it for 15 years and rebuilt the engine once. The belt fitted at the rebuild lasted about 3 years, 45,000 miles and then the teeth stripped suddenly on the overrun one evening on the way home from work. After a tow home along the Marlow bypass and a new belt, fitted the next day, the engine was as good as ever, and the cambelt lasted until the next proper service interval. Don't be tempted, learn from my experience. Even at £10.99 retail from an OPC that's cheap for peace of mind. I wasn't until I bent three valves that I found out the turbo engine isn't "safe". Funny how when it happens everyone you speak to says "oh yeah, the turbo can do that." Well I dont think anyone's best interest is served by keeping it to myself. We do not know better than Mr Audi who designed the engine. Change the belt.

 

[924nutter]

Goodness me that's a question. Having done a head gasket on a 944 recently (well Christmas 2004) with a vehicle hoist and all the correct facilites I would expect to be able to do the belt job myslef in two hours max, depending on what other horrors are luking behind the plastic covers. It is less expensive pro rata to do the balnce belt at the same time as there is only one amount of labour to charge on removing the covers for access. Seems daft not to while it's opened up. However don't beat up your local OPC or independent, or me for that matter, if his times differ from mine, I am taking a complete stab in the dark. Actually, doing the belts is no big deal, all the timing gears are marked and the back gaurd has alingment ribs. You line it all up and mark it before taking it apart and then put it back together with new belts. On ealry cars, which had manual adjusters, perform the twist test on the belt(s) to ensure reasonable tension, turn the engine 2 complete turn to check for blocking, recheck alignment, then scuttle of to the nearest garage with the correct tensioning tool to get it set up proprly. I have abolutley no experience of the later type of auto adjuster, so you pays your money......