Dilberto

Geoff,

I have a nearly-new autotensioner for $150 shipped to you. PM me if you want to get one. Includes mounting templates, and hardware.

Zach

Skunk Workz

One reason could be that the Volvo cam weighs barely half of the 944's weight...less mass to accelerate/decelerate = longer belt life.

Dave in Chicago

It is what it is.

Two thoughts to add:

1) Remember that the belt should be changed based upon mileage and/or AGE (it's a rubber part after all)
2) Most failures that I have heard of either violated rule #1 or may have had "installation" issues

I know two people personally that I would allow to set the tension "by hand". Both have been doing timing belts on 944's for a living for over 10 years. I've done them 3+ times (all with one of these folks), and I am NOT qualified to set the tension "by hand". It's not the biggest trick in the world, but I don't qualify to tune my piano either.

Belts, rollers, and such add up to one of the most critical "must get it right" jobs on these cars. Not because it's so hard (good write-ups and help available, special tools available), but because it's a wazoo high-compression interference Porsche motor that is otherwise pretty bulletproof.

My advice is to have the belts/rollers done at the required mileage and/or time by the BEST 944-series mechanic you can find. Sure, it's a lot of money. But I sleep better through the approximately 70k+ miles I've driven 944/968's, all laced with generous "full flogging mode" track time.

cas951

I agree with what everyone on here have said about the belt replacement. I do have a few comments.

Change timing belts more frequently because=
1. Most of us have more Boost/HP than stock. Timing belt will not last as long as factory recommended.
2. Cost of belt and rollers replacement vs Head overhaul or Eng rebuild is much cheaper.
3. Peace of mind.
4. The engines on the 944/968/928 do not have the fail safe other car manufacturers have. Other Mfg can have a belt break and it does not damage the valves or pistons. I've seen Acuras, Mazda's, Honda's timing belt break and no damage to the internal componets. Just replace the belt and they are ready to go.

Dilberto

Despite all of what you have read- it all boils down to this.....money and power.

Thanx, Freemasons!

Zach

86 951 Driver

The reason for the timing belt change is because of the all alum. engine that are in our cars. When the heat up with expand and contract when they are cold. The problem is with these motors it seems that they heat up more then most alum. would. The belt gets stretched everytime the motor is fully heated up. As time goes on that puts stress on the belt.

Yabo

most volvo engines are non interference anyway so obvious less worries, and you don't have to be as cautious. At least teh red block engines are.

Friendan

Hey guys,

I was just going through my records, and I realized I might be due for a belt retension. I searched to try to find what the standard was to wait to retension and replace, and I came across this thread.

I have it in my head that, for peace of mind, the belts should be:
- replaced after 30k miles
- retensioned after 1000 miles on the new belts
- retensioned after 15k miles
- replaced once again after 30k miles, etc, etc.

Is this assumption correct?

Serge944

Well, by today's overly cautious standards - yes, its time. I wouldn't hesitate going 45k on my personal 944.

Tony K

I believe most people on here get their standards from the parts vendors!

Pre-internet stupidity boom, I always read that the intervals were 45k if you had the update and 30k if you didn't have the update. Most people on here have probably never seen a pre-update water pump, unless they got a $40 waterpump "deal" on eBay . . .

"Does yours have the update?" used to be the first response anyone got to the question "Is it time to change my timing belt?" - I don't think I have ever seen that response here on rennlist.

Friendan

Well, I've put about 22,000 km on the car since the belts, rollers, idlers, waterpump, and all related parts were replaced ($$$!), which translates to about 13,600 miles. So maybe in the new year, I'll have the belts checked.

sasilverbullet

Friendan - you probably got that from me - the folks at Jones Autowerks have been doing our kind of cars since they came out. They have only had ONE car that uses the 30K rule break a belt. They've had about 15 or so break that didn't follow their rules somewhere between the 30K and 45K mark...

It's cheap piece of mind...

eohrnberger

Is this even possible?

If it is, it would make so much sense considering the damage that could be caused with a loose timing belt, so much so, that the upgrade would be worth doing. Don't you think?

Serge944

The eccentric is a very reliable tensioner.

FRporscheman

Just be glad you people don't have to change the timing belt on a 928! THAT was a b**** of a job.

I only use Conti, mainly because that's what my parts guy gives me, but now that I know, I'll make sure that's all he gives me. As for the intervals, I would trust a timing belt on a 944 to 45,000, as long as it's tensioned right. And like Serge said the tensioner is reliable, so get it right the first time, check it once, and replace after about 40k. People just get nervous and do it sooner (because of the whole issue of the engine getting damaged with a broken belt, which honda's don't have to deal with).