944driver

I need to know some opinions. I'm working on the timing belt because the previous owner had no maintenance history on the car. So I have all of the accessory belts, covers and air filtration system off and BAM, the timing and idler belts look quit new. The idler belt is a little loose but I can tension that. Take a look a the pics and tell me what you all think.

I know I'm not the first to do this, but I need some way to get those turn buckle jam bolts loose, so the hydraulic jack with some PB Blaster did fine .

SoCal Driver

I have never had to use force to get the belt tensioner jam nuts loose!!!!

You have to hold the center with another wrench and squeaze them together to break the jam nuts loose.

If you don't you crack and break off the aluminum mounting ears at the ends and/or bend the threaded parts.

83na944

The belts look good, but is that anitifreeze on the belt?

Hopefully, you just spilled some for some reason. Ani-freeze is not good for the belts.

luckett

idler belt????

StupEd05

i believe he is refering to the balance shaft belt...

Charlotte944

If you cannot break the lock nuts free you can just remove the tensioners and then free the jam nuts. There are some left handed threads here, so look at the threads to determine which way to turn the jam nuts.

Also make sure you loosen the A/C compressor front (17mm) and rear (12mm) mounting bolts. If you have the tensioner out, loosening these bolts will let the compressor swing so you can get the A/C belt off.

For the timing and balance belts the rule is, "When in doubt, replace them." This will save you mucho dinero. Make sure the engine is at TDC BEFORE you take the timing and balance belts off. You can find the TDC marks on the cam gear and at the rear of the engine near the speed and reference sensors. Both marks must be aligned for the engine to be at TDC.

I'd take a close look at the water pump. Those green drops look like coolant.

944driver

Thanks for all of the information guys. That is antifreeze on the belts. It is from the upper radiator hose (a little spillage). I took the advice of SoCal Driver and did the wrench squeeze on the jam bolts and it worked wonders. I should have known that, I use the same technique when changing pedals on mountain bikes. Also, sorry for the incorrect term that I used for the balance shaft belt. My car needs a lot of work both ascetically and mechanically, but, for $1900 I bought myself a nice rolling project. The frame, engine, drive-train and brakes are all in good order so, I have a good base to start with. The body is decent shape except for the chin spoiler. I have discovered that the car has had a trip or two the a body shop. Anyway, I fix the things that I can when I can. The car runs and handles great. Porsche ownership so far has been a satisfying experience.

SoCal Driver

Nothing more expensive than an inexpesive Porsche. What year is it?

__________________
83 944 = It's NOT a 'real' Porsche -- Its Better!!!!
When was the last time you changed your timing and balance belts
and/or cam chain and tensioner?

The 83

hosrom_951

First fo all, was the engine set at TDC? i don't think so, since yhere is a small chip (mark) on the balance shaft sproket that is supposed to be aligned with the chip (mark) on the rear cover. Otherwise, the car would have nasty vibrations.

IceShark

I suppose he may have turned the crank over for some reason just to see how the belts were tracking. But if it is at TDC we should see the nick mark on the upper blance shaft pulley. He will shake pretty good with that out of whack.

hosrom_951

Dan: true, but just making sure