jmporsche944

Hey guys,

I need to replace the timing belt on my 84 944.. since i purchased the car about 3 months ago and i hear its pretty critical to get it changed. I need your advice on wether i should tackle this on my own or not. I dont mind doing it but i think i would need some type of tensioning tool? If anyone could either give me some detailed instructions on how to do this, or if anyone would be kind enough to come down one weekend and give me a hand id greatly appreciate it. Id really like to know how to do it myself so in the future i dont need to bring it somewhere to get it done. Maybe we could plan a little east coast GTG to do our timing belts if other people need to do it too? TIA

-Jeff

ernestedward

http://www.clarks-garage.com/ can get you started. Look under "Camshaft" in the Garage Shop Manual.

Techno Duck

You may be lucky to have someone in the area or someone abroad willing to loan you the 9201 tool. Its expensive to purcahse at about $400. A popular alternative is the use of the Kricket KR-1 which is available at any NAPA autoparts store for around $10-15. ArnnWorx has a very good write up with pictures on how to use the kricket tool effectivley to tension the belts correctly.

Edit - Forgot the link, sorry

http://www.arnnworx.com/PorscheWebPa...ning_belts.htm

F18Rep

Ummm, I've got it here someplace... dangit God, I could sure use a memory upgrade...;]

jmporsche944

Thanks for the information guys, But i dont know that im up to the challenge by myself... anyone know of any good porsche specialsts in the area of Ringwood NJ? Ringwood is in Passaic county if that helps. Around how much does it cost to have it done? Thanks.

Dave951M

Either learn to DIY or cough up about $1500 to support Hans und Fritz. Your call. The timnig belt job isn't difficult, the directions on Clark's site are very good, and finally, if you get stuck, there's lots of us here who can talk you through it. I'd suggest you DIY and use the cash saved for other purposes like, more tools, go fast parts, etc.

ernestedward

A complete belt job with rollers etc. should cost about $500 total, parts and labor. YMMV.

Dave951M

Last time I checked, a water pump, rollers, and seals- parts and labor- went for north of $1400. If you can get it done for $500, have at it if you dare.

dme

Why assume he has to do the complete job including rollers, pump and seals. I've certainly done mine before without replacing everything. Perhaps he is getting by for the price of a belt. And while I wouldn't reccomend it to someone doing the job for the first time, there are a lot of folks who don't use the cricket or the 9201.

Dave951M

Well, JM never said anything about the waterpump having recently been replaced by the PO. Based on that, if it were my car, it would have gotten the full monte on the front end. Either way, pay'em now or pay'em later. Some forms of insurance are cheaper than others.

xsboost90

just did mine today, front seals and all four belts= $157.00 @ paragon-products.com... You dont need to do the water pump every time and i prefer not too unless i have to. WE used the kriket tool but really a good sense of touch can adjust the belts accurately.

jmporsche944

Well sense its winter, and the car is just garage queen right now anyway, there really isent a reason to not do it myself i suppose. I just hope you guys are here to bail me out when i get stuck So i can get all the belts and everything at pargon?

a.n.other

Does anyone know what the difference between the Paragon $84 front engine seal kit and the $39 Zims kit are? Also, what are the 3 steel seal races in the $79 Zims kit - and will i likely need them?

Also, will i need a gear puller if i am going to replace all the seals and rollers, or can you pry the rollers off OK?

cheers

Swagger93

I didn't end up using either in my "S". I have a good idea what a belt should be tensioned at, it's really not too difficult. The automatic tensioner sucks though, i hated that thing...it just got in the way.

Dave951M

Andy- the steel sleeves are replacements for the ones on the balance shafts and the cam. Those are wear items and should be replaced on high mileage cars. I wouldn't put them in every time, but if yours have never been replaced, it's a good idea to do so. If the old ones are left in and have very high miles, a groove can be worn in at the point where the seal contacts the sleeve, leading to an oil leak even though you have new seals. Like I said, they shouldn't be replaced each time, but maybe once every 125k miles.