Tom R.

Geo B answered a tech question in this months Panorama.

If someone does a search they will find a consensus on when to change the cam chain tensioner and cam chain.

Geo B suggests every 60k for the tensioner and 120k for the chain.

This should put the debate to rest once and for all.

triscadek

Think he's right?

hacker-pschorr

Well, had I replaced my tensioner at 60k the chain may have lasted to 120k.

jonnybgood

Seems backwards to me. The tensioner should last longer than the chain, at least in my mind...

What does he say about the pad?

JET951

we work on a lot of 944s and s2s some with over 250 000kms and have never had to change tensioners or chains. in fact we havnt seen much wear on these parts at all

AndyK

I can see replacing the tensioner, but my chain looked new last time I was in there - 100k miles. I would figure a major component like the timing chain should last more than 125k.

Anyone have their chain way longer than 125k?

Luis de Prat

Yeah, but I'd be wary of a tensioner with a nylon pad after that many km. You should at least replace the top pad.

joseph mitro

well, since that equates to about 155,000 US miles, i would say you have been extremely lucky. talk to any educated 16v owner and they will say you should change both no later than 100,000 miles or 160,000km. why play with fire when the repair will cost at least 10 times the amount of changing the tensioner and chain?

i would go with George's recommendation

Swagger93

I'm glad we've found an authority!

Oddjob

There is somewhat of a risk taken with these heads.

I never had a failure on my 87S, having owned it for 13 years, and that was with only one tensioner assembly and chain replacement at 120k miles.

However, last year I was witness to an S with only 50k miles on it, have the pad pop off the tensioner, broke the chain, cracked the tensioner mount in the head, and broke some of the drive teeth off both cam shafts. After seeing that happen to a very well maintained, great condition, easily driven 16v, I think anyone that does not replace the pads, tensioner assy, and chain at reasonable mileage intervals (and age intervals for the pads) is playing with fire....

Riff

The chain in mine is original as far as I know. Have had the car since 70K and it now has 160K. I have only replaced the tensioner 2x and have not touched the chain.

H2

People who take chances...well...uh...how can I say this? Gamble w/the odds.

HH

gtroth

Anyone know of an instance where the chain broke that wasn't causes by the tensioner/pad failure? Just wondering.

wjk_glynn

Here's an example where the nylon pad failed on a 944S:



Karl.

AndyK

That photo says it all. Porsche should have put that in an ad for the 944S-S2 back in the day::
"Porsche - $45k riding on a 50-cent nylon pad"!

PS--Tom-Melissa is getting so big!