Drive Belt Drama

[plherbert]

From my previous thread a few weeks ago:
"when the engine had just started I plugged a compressor for a tyre inflator into the cigarette lighter and noticed a screaming noise from I presume the alternator. I immediately unplugged and it stopped, so, would this be indicative of an alternator on its way out or simply too much strain on the battery."

Suggestions from members on the forum at the time, was polyrib drive belt issues, which I initially dismissed as I'd just had the drive belt replaced as part of the 6 year maintenance requirement. However after 12 weeks since replacement at an OPC, in the last month I noticed this screeching noise emanating from the engine bay on cold start-ups lasting only a couple of seconds. Mentioned it to the dealer at MOT today and I was advised the drive belt tensioner had started to seize. They advised it had to be replaced along with a new drive belt for integrity.

I've authorised the work after much debate, can't believe the item is excluded from the Porsche Warranty, but have any of you any experience of the tensioners failing? It seems very early if you ask me, car is a 2010 car with 28k miles on the clock!!

Labour was 1.5hrs and obvious part requirements, more than you realise!!

 

[RCS]

Yes, when we had our 997.2, a Jan 2010 one the OPC advised that a tensioner was starting to seize when it was with them, and yes it was excluded from the warranty. Car would have had around 25k on the clock and it would have been late 2015.

I think they waived some of the labour - forget exactly why they had it in as sadly it was in their workshops every 6/8 weeks - hence the reason its gone.

 

[plherbert]

Sorry to hear it had to go. Mine touchwood has been all good so far but sounds like very similar age and mileage that it happened to you on your car.

Surprised the tensioner is not changed when the drive belt is done, for what the parts cost. I have a good relationship with my OPC and they did help on some of the costs. The frustration I had was I only changed the drive belt approx 10 weeks ago and I asked why this wasn't raised at the time. They stated they can only assess the components at the given time they are inspected.

Hopefully will hear from others, would appear not a unique situation!!

 

[Ianstewartshouse1]

This is good information.

My 2010 C4S will be needing this at the end of this year I assume then?

Is the suggestion to get this done by the dealer when the belt is getting done?

 

[plherbert]

To be honest, knowing what I know now, clearly I would have done, however it would appear it's not a maintenance requirement and not listed in the 6 year items. This seems a little strange to me especially the fact I'm being told it's not covered under warranty. I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who has had one replaced under warranty in the UK, on another forum a guy from the US claims he had his replaced under warranty, but I'm sure terms and goodwill of the policy will be different over there.

I challenged them on the condition of the tensioner at the time of drive belt replacement circa 12 weeks ago and they claim all was functioning fine back then. I authorised the work yesterday and also after their guidance got them to put yet another new drive belt on as clearly the integrity of the rubber may have been affected by the tensioner not doing its job for the last few weeks.

Very cold start this morning and no screeching noise whatsoever so hopefully the end of that. I'd had suggestions of moisture on the belt, starter motors etc, but I suppose have to have faith in the OPC's diagnosis and resolve.

Extra components beyond the belt replacement, which I can see from the invoice:

Tensioner, Tensioning Roller and Bracket without roll, plus a number of screws and caps.
Total labour for all this was 1.5hrs, can't remember what the labour was for the simple belt replacement. I'm sure there must be labour efficiency in replacing the belt and tensioner at the same time!! Let us know what you decide.

 

[basilbrush]

interesting reading, and very frustrating why they didn't inspect correctly the tensioner at the time of service (IMO). I don't believe for one minute that it failed since your service! My GTS will be due its 6 year service in May this year, it is a 2011 car and covered 33k. i have also noticed on a couple of occasions during the last months, when very cold that i also get a screeching sound for a few seconds at start up, from your description i can only assume I'm facing a similar issue to you? and it does not do it ever time, so until reading your post i have ignored it to an extent. I also have OPC extended warranty on the car and would honestly expect this to be covered like yourself, or added as an proactive advisory during the 6 year service in terms of offering the chance to replace the tensioner whilst replacing the belts...

 

[Rodney Naghar]

It's not always a failing tensioner that causes the screeching, sometimes it's a failing water pump bearing (which is connected to the belt and sags)

 

[STiG911]

Don't be shocked that a low mileage car has to have something like this replaced. So as items wear out with lots of use they also perish or break down due to lack of use, so a near-seven year old car needing new tensioners at 'only' 28k isn't much of a stretch.

 

[plherbert]

Don't be shocked that a low mileage car has to have something like this replaced. So as items wear out with lots of use they also perish or break down due to lack of use, so a near-seven year old car needing new tensioners at 'only' 28k isn't much of a stretch.

Whilst I understand components fail and need replacing whether it's lots of use, or less use. I think the point being is that I struggle at the fact that the tensioners condition was not picked up on when they changed the belt as part of the work circa 12 weeks ago.

For me this should be a warrantable item or at the very least a proactive inspection/advisory to change as part of the 6 year belt change work, therefore achieving some labour savings. I would be grateful for anyone in the UK who has had the tensioner changed under warranty as allegedly it is specifically excluded from the policy. (Intend to check when I'm back home)

Although I can't speak for the cars initial 6 years of life and the potential for long periods of lack of use. Since purchasing 12 months ago, my vehicle is being used as a minimum 2-3 times a week for moderate journeys, so here is hoping that this is enough for all the components to be getting enough of a leg stretch as it were. Certainly makes you think, the other week, I found a 2010 997 in the same colour as mine being sold by Hexagon with only 7k miles. Clearly low mileage examples may have issues like you describe that many dont consider!!

Thanks to all, keep the comments coming.

 

[Motorhead]

Just to add that I had pay £475 to have the belt, belt tensioner, pivot bracket and roller replaced on my 987.2 Cayman S at the 6-year service (~18k miles) when the polybelt was replaced and was also very annoyed and disappointed to learn that it wasn't a warrantable item.

Needless to say, I wasn't persuaded to extend the warranty again..!

Jeff

 

[plherbert]

Just to add that I had pay £475 to have the belt, belt tensioner, pivot bracket and roller replaced on my 987.2 Cayman S at the 6-year service (~18k miles) when the polybelt was replaced and was also very annoyed and disappointed to learn that it wasn't a warrantable item.

Needless to say, I wasn't persuaded to extend the warranty again..!

Jeff

Thanks for this this Jeff, maybe it might be useful to canvass opinion on the merits of warranty renewal/extension. I'm currently half way through my 2 year extended warranty from buying an approved Porsche from an OPC. There is no doubt I have good value from it so far in the first year, with a few items including the replacement of a brand new PCM when they tried to update the maps for me and couldn't get it to update (Firmware issue apparently) and a PDK temp sensor replacement...

I think I always thought I would extend at least for another 2 years beyond the current expiry, however at a cost of circa £2200+ inc 111 point check and breakdown, with items like the Moll OEM battery and the belt tensioner being excluded, it would be handy to get people's views on the Porsche warranty especially the fact that the car will be ageing towards 8 years old at the expiry of the current warranty. With a PDK gearbox component alone being £12k, is it naive not to consider having it?

 

[STiG911]

Insofar as the Porsche Warranty is concerned, it is frustrating to suddenly find out that certain items are excluded.
It seems that items like the Battery, Tensioners etc. are considered perishable service items, just like brake discs and pads are. I can understand the battery to a point, but when the tensioners are an essential part in the drive belt system, it's a bit of a kick to learn you've got to fork out for replacements - I mean, the Alternator has bearings too, but I'm pretty sure Porsche wouldn't quibble about replacing a broken one.
That being said, when as plherbert says, a new PDK Gearbox is £12k (really?, cripes) then £2200 for two years cover is IMO worth the outlay. Specially when as you say, you've had the temp sensor replaced already...

 

[Motorhead]

Paul,

As far as I can recall I was only allowed to claim once on the extended warranty during the 4-years I had it and that was to replace an alarm module at around 2-years, which prompted me to renew the warranty for another 2-years. Apart from the belt tensioner issue, my requests to replace a wayward roof seal and a split door seal were also rejected (I guessed they would be!).

Like all warranties, I suppose that it depends upon your attitude to risk. My Cayman has a manual gearbox but if I'd had a PDK transmission then I think that I'd be inclined to continue with the warranty.

If nothing goes wrong in 2 years then you save yourself £2k+ but Porsche parts and labour charges can soon eat into that. However, that exclusion list is very long.

Jeff

 

[tscaptain]

Maybe the list is long but the fact it includes engine, gearbox and electrics is enough to convince me of its worth. I am still "in credit" with respect to claims v premiums