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fitting 968 belt tensioner to a 944?

R

ross255

New member
Hi,
it may seem a little strange to want to do, but as my timing belt tensioner on my 944 turbo could be as old as the car itself, it could be a bit out opf spec by now.

So rather than change it with the standard tensioner, i was wondering if anyone has successfully used a 968 tensioner. As from what i understand they are hydraulic, and keep the correct tension better.

Any info would be great.
 
If they are both better and suitable Porsche will have superceded the 944 part with the 968 one in any case.
 
I understand what you mean, but why is the 968 part different then? surely if the 944 tensioner was fine, they would have used it.

I have never seen the 968 tensioner to actually have a proper look at one.
 
I don't know specifically. They go through a process of continuous improvement and anything they deem to be improved that is a direct replacement for the older part on the earlier cars they will supercede. Improvement could be reliability, performance, durability, reduced cost of manufacture etc.
 
Fen, following your logic the 944 castor mounts would be obsolete & the 968 mounts would be the only option from the OPC.
 
Aren't they? I know the 944 M030 ones are still available, but are the original 944 ones? If so it may be because the 968 ones don't suit all cars - perhaps the steel arm ones for example.
 
Don't forget the 968 had the variocam system which effectively changes the length of the cam belt in between the inlet and exhaust cam pulleys therefore the 968 cam tensioner is doing a completely different job than the 944 S2 tensioner which is only designed to maintain belt tension as the engine expands and contracts through it's operating temp range. The 968 tensioner has to maintain belt tension as the variocam is doing it's thing which is why it was probably changed to a more dynamically efficient design. I would be surprised if it is retrofittable. Are the mounting points on the block the same? are the pulley dimesions and diameter the same? how does the hydraulic unit work - does it need it's own hydraulic system and how would you plumb this in on the 944? And after all this what would be the point as the 944 tensioners work perfectly well as far as I'm aware.
 
The belt doesn't go round both pulleys; Variocam acts on the chain between the cams, the belt route is the same as any 944 beit 8 or 16 valve.

Valid points about the oil feed for a hydraulic tensioner though. Jon will be able to tell us when he sees the thread.
 
Good spot Fen - i'd completely forgotten about that. I'd forgotten about the unique twin cam arrangement on the 944/968's.
 
In theory a 968 tensioner could be made to work on a 944 turbo. The mounting points of the 944 Lux, 944 turbo, 944 2.7, 944 S2 and 968 are the same.

However, I have never known a 944 auto tensioner to fail... the pulley fails, just as it does with a 968, But thats why it gets changed every other belt change, as should all the rollers/tensioners, the water pump and oil seals.. and on the S2 and 968 the chain and slipper pad should be changed... But the actual tensioner assembly does not tend to fail.

The spring may get weak with age, but I doubt it weakens much, because it spends its life in a locked position rather than constantly moving.. I would be more worried if I were a 968 owner about the seals in the auto tensioner failing... then again, this does not seem to happen anyway. Even if the spring does weaken, thats why you check the belt tension
 
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