vette4lyfe

Ive done previous searches and havnt really found exactly wut im looking for. I wanna know approx. how much it costs to get the timing belt replaced at a shop and at the dealer. Shes a 1987 944 NA. Anyone know any good shops in or around los angeles? Ive heard of one in pasadena on colorado.. newhere else?
Also, is it hard to do it myself? Is it jus the timing belt that gets replaced? netin else?
again, i apologize to the veteren 944 owners that have prolly seen this post a million times, but after 2 hours of search, and bloodshot eyes.. i had to make it a lil easier and jus post it myself.

"soon to be official Rennlist member"

Chris_924s

Consider.. and expect-
YOUR wrench's hourly rate. ($$$$$ in Cali.)
YOUR wrench's familiarity on this procedure. (Porsche certified at dealer, MANY dollars)
A markup on all parts.
IMHO between 700-1300 bucks based upon the above factors.

It can be done by a NOOB with some experienced help watching EASILY in a weekend. Save yourself 80% and get "experienced".

Porsche-O-Phile

I'm doing all the belts, rollers, front seals, waterpump, gaskets, etc. on my car myself and (including tools) it will end up costing about $450. Dealer estimate that I got was $1,400, so you decide what makes sense here. Plus doing it myself gives me a chance to clean up the engine bay and stuff. . .

Shutemup

Does this have everything in it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

If so not so bad in price

How about this for everything but the waterpump that I really wouldn't replace till it went bad anyway

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ayphotohosting

Brett Jenkins

I bought that kit from Jomaxima, and it had everything, as far as parts, unless you also want to replace seals and balance shaft gears too.

Go to www.arnnworx.com and get the $85 porsche tool kit with krikit, flywheel lock, roller wrench, and pin wrench to do the job. Make sure you have a torque bar capable of 155+ ft lbs and a good breaker bar.

If you don't know the age of your water pump, replace it before it goes bad, not after.


Clarks garage has a good write-up on the procedure and www.arnnworx.com has good infom on using the krikit to tension.

Shutemup

I have seen waterpumps in various vehicles last for many many many miles, why would you replace one before it went bad?

Chris_924s

Great info Brett! The flywheel lock makes it SOOOO much easier.

Ken

Most people suggest replacing the water pump during a timing belt job because you've done 90% of the labor necessary to get to the water pump. If you don't know the age of your water pump, it's the perfect time to replace it. If you don't replace your water pump, and it seizes or dies, you'll have to do the entire job all over again(plus fix whatever damage is caused).

pete944

The water pump is driven by the cam belt. If the pump siezes it can throw the cam belt.

Shutemup

ahh, 944pete has the why behind the reasoning.....

do theese waterpumps not just start to **** out a weep hole when they go bad?

Charlie

I had a water pump that never leaked a drop, it just locked up. I was lucky that the car only blew the head gasket from overheating and did not jump timing.

SoCal Driver

Correct spelling does help when you do searches.

Scootin159

Off-topic, but it would be useful for us if you include your car(s) in your signature (click the "my profile" link at the top and then "edit profile") as the answers to a lot of questions depend on the car you have (year, model & trim). Also it is helpful if you include your location as a lot of time anybody local will offer to help with jobs like that (it's on the same page as your signature).

Peckster

Because of the cost of having it done later.

Water pumps do fail, and if yours looks original I'd have it done, with the front seals, while they're doing your T-belt. Cheaper in the long run imo. I just had my belts redone and skipped the pump this time because I know it's oem and has a few more miles in it.

These cars will kill you if you don't look after adjacent wear items while you have it apart.

Belts-only just cost me about US$600 at my shop in Toronto, which I trust more than the dealer because he does a lot of 944s.

Scootin159

Also, when a water pump fails, it often siezes. On these cars it's driven by the timing belt. Therefore when the water pump fails, it breaks the timing belt, which breaks the valves (8x $100 or 16x $100) & pistons($bad), and maybe even the head ($even worse). Sure makes a water pump look cheep, huh?