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Squealing timing / balance belt!

james944

james944

New member
Hello,

I'm having my timing and balance belts changed soon...on my 1984 2.5 LUX (early model)

At this current moment in time my car makes a whirring/squealing noise coming from the belt (i think). I have another 944 that does the same but worse. I've seen reassured its nothing major and it isn't the belt about to snap or anything like that.

My question is - is it the belt making the noise, do they do this with age? Could it possibly be the tensioner roller or idler roller making the squealing noise?

If anyone believes it may be the rollers, have they experienced anything like this and was changing the rollers for new ones a cure? I just want to try my best to get rid of the squealing and if the new belts don't cure it then I will be a little unhappy!

Thanks

James
 
Hi James


I'm not aware of old belts squealing and therefore think it's unlikely to be them unless recently changed and over tightened, no guarantee of this though. Could be the rollers/tensioner but could also be the water pump.. either way you need to check what it is as any of these failing could severely damage the engine. Less serious parts could be the alternator bearing or A/C if fitted.

Regards

Pete
 
I have heard them squeal with tensioners or idlers which have been shot, and I have heard them squeal with an over-tight balance belt. I have heard a "knock" as a result of a waterpump bearing being gone, but not just as a result of the belts being old. If anything, I usually worry when I have just fitted new belts as they tend to be noisier, but quickly quieten down (although the distinctive 944 "whirr" remains).
 
The only bets that squeal are the PAS or alternator. Cam and balance belts have teeth so don't slip or squeal.

I have had squealing rollers and tensioners and replacing them is easy if you are doing the belts. If you remove the cambelt cover and listen with a mechanics stethoscope you may be able to pinpoint which one it is.
 
I agree, it is only usually the PAS or alternator belts that can whine because they are not toothed leading to my thinking that it could be the rollers or tensioners bearings.

I will look at the possibility of the rollers or tensioners going as well as the water pump. Whats the lifespan of a water pump? I'm coming up to 90k but I have no idea when it may, if ever, been changed.

Thanks for your responses.

James
 
I recently had the water pump changed on my S2 at 65k miles as there was no history of any previous change in the paperwork, there were no leaks or overheating issues it was purely a precautionary change, the pump that came off was as good as new.

Cheers, Paul
 
Hi James

You may be able to tell if the pump has been changed since your's is an early car... someone will correct me if I have this wrong but the pumps were updated and the new pumps needed the rear plastic belt covers cutting for the pump to fit. My 1986 944T had certainly been updated by the time I bought the car in 98 and unless there's a difference for the square dash cars (which I doubt) then so should yours. 90K isn't a high mileage so it's possible that the original pump may still be on the car but suspect there is only a small chance of this... but if this is the case I'd certainly suggest you change the pump..

Pete

Edit: BTW my car had 89K on the clock when bought and as stated the pump had already been changed but may be due to the Porsche recommended update rather than wear although I have no way of knowing for sure....
 
Another pointer is that the early pumps on the N/A engines didn't have the plastic elbow on the front for the turbo models -if it has a plastic elbow then it has had at least one pump change-the elbow would have a blanking off plate/gasket under it.
 

ORIGINAL: VITESSE

Another pointer is that the early pumps on the N/A engines didn't have the plastic elbow on the front for the turbo models -if it has a plastic elbow then it has had at least one pump change-the elbow would have a blanking off plate/gasket under it.
Click to expand...

ahh yes the infamous plastic elbow... a little off topic here but one of the many reasons that I have lost all faith in OPC's or Indie's is during my rebuild I discovered that when the water pump was last replaced (by a well known North London indie) the elbow hadn't been drilled through for the turbo to be supplied with water. I guess one reason why the turbo was in such a bad state when replaced... as i said before... if you want a job done properly best do it yourself even if it's like a foreign language to you, at least you care about the outcome and thus will give it the attention it deserves.

Monday rant over....:)

Pete
 
Monday rant over....:)
Click to expand...

but totally understand your feeling, we pay these people not insignificant sums, to do something they claim to understand, and they in turn cause damage and further hassle, frustration and expense. [>:]

now who was it........[:D][:D][:D]

George
944t
 
I think the modified upgraded Porsche water pump introduced for the turbo was generally sold as the upgrade for all engines & so had
the cast in mounting flange with 2 studs,already with a hole in it ,so a blanking plate/gasket was then required to seal the hole with the plastic elbow fitted but not used.
If there is an undrilled flange ,this suggests a spurious pump which is not universal but will fit N/A engines OK & someone has then fitted this wrong pump to a Turbo without realising.

This is also the reason why I do most things myself ,Pete,however,where I can't,haven't the time or car needs to be be on a lift,then I use Unit 11 at Warrington who I know personally ,trust & can stand next to John & Danny
& discuss the job,cost implications,etc.
 
Sounds to me like a over tightened balance belt. Does it sound a bit like a washing machine on a spin cycle?
 
Ha. Yes it does sound like a washing machine on spin cycle.

I took the balance belt off and fired up the engine. Its not the cam belt making the noise or the water pump. They're eliminated.

Aligned the engine TDC and the balance shafts and re-fitted the belt. I had it so loose to check whether it was over tightening that was the factor. It was not!

The only thing left, I guess, could be the roller or idle bearings?!? Mechanics stethoscope on order!
 

ORIGINAL: james944



The only thing left, I guess, could be the roller or idle bearings?!? Mechanics stethoscope on order!
Click to expand...

James you don't need a stethoscope, a large long handled screwdriver or similar with the blade on the part and your ear resting against the handle will work just as well. Naturally be careful of moving parts...:)

Pete
 
Cheers Pete.

I already got teased my mate about the stethoscope, haha. "So your car is now your patient, Dr."

Sounds dangerous, I'll give it a go. Thanks
 
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