Tom R.

do a search. Many of us barstool experts came up with a general theory.

I changed the pad on my other S2 at 69k, and my current S2 has 54k on it. The grooves on the pads are less than half as deep as the groove on your pad. My guess is you must have about 120k on that pad. How many miles on the car?

I got my pad from paragon giving chuck the 928 PN.

peterjcb

Tom, I've got 157,000 miles on the car.

While I'm waiting for the pad from Zims, I think that I'll paint the cover and clean it up.
Has anyone every tried POWERWASHING the cover to remove the old paint and grime.
I am going to try that later when I get home this evening. Will also pick up some heat-resistant paint from Wal-Mart.

Tom R.

with 157k on the part I would err on the side of caution and make plans to replace the whole tensioner in the near future.

I've read the cheapest place for the assembly is sunset porsche in oregon.

do a search, johnnybgood paid $5k after his went. there are three or four stories of busted chains and $5k bills on this board within the last three years alone.

Jfrahm

I used paint stripper on the cover, it worked quite well.

I hope that pad is not off the market from Porsche, I have 2 in my 928, one in my S2 and one in my spare S2 motor. I guess I'll see if I can order a couple locally, but that runs the risk of coming home in a Boxster S 550.

-Joel.

AndyK

I think age, as well as actual wear plays an important role in deciding to replace the bottom pad (ie: the whol tensioner). They become brittle with age and heat, and if it breaks...bye bye money!

Fishey

Hey, just a question...

If you just put new gaskets on the valvecover (and around the sparkplug holes) would you need to replace them if you took the valve cover off again? I am afraid there one time use type of deals! ohh well I guess you do what you have to do!

mossy

That's a rubber (neoprene) gasket, you can re-use it over and over again...... I believe that the spark plug holes should have o-rings that seal them..... But it's been a while........

Fishey

Ok, and for striping the old paint I was going to use a sand blaster! anything wrong with sandblasting aluminum?

joseph mitro

peterjcb - do not drive that car until the tensioner has been repaired (unless you KNOW it's been changed within the last 20-30K or so). mine went at 120K without any warning whatsoever. result: damaged head, two stripped camshafts, and a $3100 bill.

fishey - i've reused the gasket and spark plug seals several times. no problems.

944_S_TYPE

When I had my engine out and apart I sent the valve cover to a chop in IL. They stripped, cleaned stress relieved it then re treated/Primed the metal. Mine is gun metal silver with red lettering.

mossy

If it were me I wouldn't sandblast the alloy. If you wear it down, you can't put it back.......
As far as the repair procedure and cost for when the tensioner does fail, I opted to replace the entire engine for a guaranteed low milage unit. Actually cost less than the repair.

Micah

Agree with the general wisdom here... replace the entire unit and call it safe. I'm surprised she has made it this far. Joseph's mileage is about when they seem to start going - Matt Ritenour's went at 115k.

Micah

Swagger93

Get it from Zims, they were great with me.

peterjcb

Joseph, when your tensioner blew out was it the top pad or bottom pad?
You sound like you obviously repaired youR car...do you still have it?

944S2NUT

You dont need to do the chain. Haven't heard of anyone replacing the chain.