96PorscheTwinTurbo

Looking at a 944 that needs timing chain. New to these cars. Would like to get an idea as to what the cost would be to have this work done. Car is an 80k miles car.

Thanks

RajDatta

There is no such thing as a timing chain on 944's. There is a timing belt. 16 valve engines have a cam chain. It would help to know exactly what model and yr.

96PorscheTwinTurbo

Right….timing belt. That was my "old guy" slipping out.

Car is an '85 base model.

Voith

In shop it is about $1000, at home about $500. +/- 20%

V2Rocket

If you can do the work on your own the belts/rollers cost between $210-$250 depending on the brand of belt you choose (Gates vs Conti).

Pelican and ZIMS have good pricing.

If you've never done it before you should be able to tackle the job yourself (provided you have the appropriate wrenches for holding sprockets while torquing, arnnworx.com) in about 4-6 hours. After you've done it once or twice it should take 2-3 hours tops.

There are lots of Rennlisters in the Atlanta area that would probably be happy to help you out if needed.

HICKS

At home $14 if nothing is leaky or making noise. Gates sells the belt on Amazon, and its prime!

HICKS

Whoops, $13.10, free shipping:

V2Rocket

Please don't recommend that he or anyone change *just* the timing belt.

If the belt is being changed the rollers should be changed. I've never seen a set of rollers that was still good to re-use while doing a belt job, not once, across probably 30 944 variants.

BoulderGeek

Would you want to do the and water pump at the same time?

(Asking as a n00b 944 owner)

HICKS

No, the rollers should not be changed unless bad. Replace as needed. Same as water pump. Same as FOES. Talk like that is what makes the 944 cam belt taboo. I was scared of doing belts when I first got the car from all this internet bull**** you read, but I saw the light, and now buy belts on amazon for $13 shipped. It's a 944 guys, there's nothing to be afraid of.

HICKS

Balance belt yeah, pump only if bad.

V2Rocket

People get scared of the belt because they hear of failures causing valve damage...belts can snap from age, or they can fail because they rubbed on a seized up bearing from a PO not replacing the rollers WYAIT.

Again, I have NEVER seen a belt roller that was still "good" after 3 years/30k miles. They ALL have some side play and make that grindy noise when spun. When they are good they should have a little bit of resistance, no side play, and be quiet.

HICKS

I've only replaced one since April 2009, and they were on the car when I bought it, so who knows. Same with the WP, its been on two different engines.

V996

If it's an experienced mechanic they can do the job in 3 hours max. My guy charges about $85 an hour. So he charged me about $200 in labour iirc.

Parts are another hundred or so if you do the rollers and everything (and if you don't do the water pump, which should be done every other belt change).

Water pump prices vary wildly depending on quality. Can't remember what brand it was that most people here trusted... But they can be several hundred dollars especially if it's a brand new pump instead of a reconditioned one.

HICKS

Show me where a water pump needs replacing every other belt change.....

This is internet bull**** I'm talking about.

You replace your water pump when it's bad. Period.