Pelican Parts, "I've never sold a chain tensioner in 17 years" WTF???
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Drifting
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Pelican Parts, "I've never sold a chain tensioner in 17 years" WTF???
So while I was at work today, I had my dad do some calling around for parts, and he ended up talking to the owner of Pelican Parts. We're wanting to change the timing chain and tensioner in my S2, and the guy told him not to buy them and that he hasn't sold a single cam chain or tensioner. . . Should I be looking for parts at another source, or is the chain tensioner not that critical?
#2
Race Car
There is no timing chain it is a timing belt. It is a timing belt tensioner. I can see why they said they hadn't sold one. The timing belt tensioner IIRC doesn't normally go bad but can.
There is IIRC a chain between your 2 valve cams but I don't think that goes bad. I am sure that someone somewhere has experienced it hapeing but I haven't read about it yet.
Hope that helps. 944 w/a timing chain, what a novel idea!
Michael
There is IIRC a chain between your 2 valve cams but I don't think that goes bad. I am sure that someone somewhere has experienced it hapeing but I haven't read about it yet.
Hope that helps. 944 w/a timing chain, what a novel idea!
Michael
#3
Nordschleife Master
VERY critical, as far as I'm concerned. If I'm not mistaken, you have:
Timing belt
TIming chain?
The chain has tensioner pads, and the Timing belt has an automatic tensioner, if I'm not mistaken.
Pardon if I'm confused with a 944S, but I do know the S2 has improvements. Look in the archives, and here, at www.clarks-garage.com for more info.
But you have every right to be concerned - because when these puppies blow, they take all the valves with them! Good luck.
- Julie
Timing belt
TIming chain?
The chain has tensioner pads, and the Timing belt has an automatic tensioner, if I'm not mistaken.
Pardon if I'm confused with a 944S, but I do know the S2 has improvements. Look in the archives, and here, at www.clarks-garage.com for more info.
But you have every right to be concerned - because when these puppies blow, they take all the valves with them! Good luck.
- Julie
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Originally Posted by michaelathome
There is no chain it is a belt. It is a belt tensioner. I can see why they said they hadn't sold one. The tensioner IIRC doesn't normally go bad but can.
Hope that helps. 944 w/a timing chain, what a novel idea!
Michael
Hope that helps. 944 w/a timing chain, what a novel idea!
Michael
Julie, I'm familiar with clarks garage, and also have the factory manual for the procedure.
The question as to whether or not to NOT change the tensioner was somewhat sarcastic (hence the smiley ducking behind the wall), however, what is the deal with the guy at Pelican telling us basically not to do it. Are these guys to be trusted, or was the guy there just as confused about the differance between the timing chain and the timing belt as Julie and Michael were???
#6
Race Car
all 16 valve cars have a timing belt and camshaft chain with tensioner.
do a search on tensioner failure and you will see lots of info. or just click on my signature and you'll see lots of pics to describe the tensioner failure.
do a search on tensioner failure and you will see lots of info. or just click on my signature and you'll see lots of pics to describe the tensioner failure.
#7
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I guess I STILL wasn't sarcastic enough. . . I've done PLENTY of reading on the subject. The question sitll is: Is Pelican Parts to be trusted, and do they know what they're talking about?
Joseph, I've seen your pics before. So sorry that happened, I'm trying to avoid the same thing.
Joseph, I've seen your pics before. So sorry that happened, I'm trying to avoid the same thing.
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#8
Weird! Cam Chain tensioners are an integral part of 16-valve 944 maintenance. I wonder if he was misunderstanding thinking about the timing belt tensioner in his head when you were talking about the cam chain tensioner...?
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Originally Posted by bleucamaro
I guess I STILL wasn't sarcastic enough. . . I've done PLENTY of reading on the subject. The question sitll is: Is Pelican Parts to be trusted, and do they know what they're talking about?
Joseph, I've seen your pics before. So sorry that happened, I'm trying to avoid the same thing.
Joseph, I've seen your pics before. So sorry that happened, I'm trying to avoid the same thing.
The timing chain/timing belt thing is potentially a bit confusing, however; everyone knows about the importanace of changing the timing belts, but even the existance of timing chains is a bit obscure to many. Don't forget too, that the Pelican guys deal with more cars than 16v 944s...
So I wouldn't necessarily jump to any conclusions based on this. If you can, read up to the point where you can be your own expert -- it's always safer than having to rely on the parts guy on the other end of the telephone, anyway. Their advice can be useful as a reality check, however.
-Mark
Last edited by Mark944na86; 04-21-2005 at 05:08 AM.
#10
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I'd have to say he was mistaken or just blowing your dad off. Pelican has always been a pretty good vendor to me and my family.
A business rule to remember: A good leader is not one who knows it all, but knows the people that know it all.
A business rule to remember: A good leader is not one who knows it all, but knows the people that know it all.
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now, do you have to change the pads only? or should the entire tensioner be replaced? we used to have a 968, and only changed the pads...
<---not a 16v owner, just curious...
<---not a 16v owner, just curious...
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I think the guy on the phone was confused, and was thinking of the belt tensioner. My dad said he was very upfront, and sounded like he was the owner.
Tarheel, are you related to Dave Barton of Santa Barbara, CA with the super ill Volvo turbo wagon?
Tarheel, are you related to Dave Barton of Santa Barbara, CA with the super ill Volvo turbo wagon?
#14
Originally Posted by bleucamaro
Tarheel, are you related to Dave Barton of Santa Barbara, CA with the super ill Volvo turbo wagon?
#15
Three Wheelin'
Originally Posted by bleucamaro
Should I be looking for parts at another source?