Joe Rose

Does anyone know of a reasonably priced source for the plastic guide rails that go on the top and bottom of the cam timing chain tensioner on a 944S2? I can't find a number for these two parts--probably because Porsche wants you to buy the whole tensioner at about $400. I have found two sources for these small plastic pieces--Zim's and 944 Online--but they want about $150 for them. Any help will be most appreciated.

PorscheDude1

thats about as good as it gets. 944online is a great vendor.

fpena944

Are you sure that price at Zims is only for the plastic piece?

I did mine about 3 years ago and don't remember paying more than $40 or so. That price seems excessive!

martin944

thats just for the top rail, the top and bottom set is about $150 from 944online and Zims.

931guru

You should replace the entire tensioner as the hydraulic part loses its effectiveness about the time that the ramps wear out. You should replace the tensioner at 60K mile intervals.

Jfrahm

I disagree about the tensioner. I think it'd go 200k easily. The top pad used to be $10 or so, it's a lot more now. Thankfully a bottom pad can now be had as part of a set. IMO a top pad will get you from 100k miles to 150 or 160K and then I'd suggest replacing both. The bottom pad does not wear too badly but eventually it might crack and a piece could go wandering. Personally I would not be looking at the bottom pad or tensioner assembly until it's around time to do the chain and valve guide seals (or head rebuild.)

-Joel.

PorscheDude1

How did you come to this conclusion? They are normally good for 200K+

xsboost90

yeah they usually go bad when you dont do enough maintenance and the chain wears out the guide and contacts the tensioner. Oil pressure holds pressure on the chain. Try www.paragon-products.com

FRporscheman

On my 968, only the bottom pad is available, but the top and bottom pad are identical so I ordered 2 bottoms from my local dealer for $42 each. Don't always assume the dealer will screw you!

Are you guys sure a 944S2 tensioner will last that long? I know a 968 tensioner will last for a looong time, but I've heard the S2 tensioner should be replaced at some interval, but 60k is way too soon.

harrisonrick

Zims is where I bought my pads...Ian only sells the whole tensioner and pads IIRC.

ejsaenz

I have the tensioner here at work... let me see... here are the part numbers on the plastic:

Top - 928.105.509.01

Bottom - 928.105.347.01

Hope this helps. I replaced the whole tensioner at 120K when I bought the car just to be sure the maintenance was done. the parts hadly look worn and the tensioner still has a good feeling spring on it.

Good luck!

Z-man

IIRC, 100k is the interval that Porsche recommends for the tensioner. I had mine replaced at 120k, and the plastic literally fell apart in my mechanic's hands!

-Z

Tom R.

search is your friend. i asked the 928 guys about cam tensioner failures, and it was like i was talking a foreign language. the problems happen to the S2 guys not the s4 guys.

We had a good discussion or two about this a while back and the bottom line was the pad is cheap if you buy it from porsche. change it at say 60-80k and then change the whole tensioner at say 120k.

again there is stuff here if you search.

also there is a lot of discussion on the chain itself. tifosiman posted some good info about how the chain and the gears wear etc.

I think 931guru is way off on the 60k for the whole tenisoiner statment.

931guru

http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa_question.asp?id={4EAC7404-5805-49F8-8699-CB35E8B880FA}

Jfrahm

Yes the 928 32v motors do not have this problem to the same degree. It's happened once or twice and I'll bet it'll happen a few more times as time goes by. I have some pads for my 928 for when I decide to tackle the valve cover refinish/reseal, vacuum lines, knock sensors, etc.

The 928 has softer valvesprings and less aggressive cams since it only has to make 144-170 HP per bank, less heat in that area I reckon too.

-Joel.