TaboII

Timing belt tension

I am about to change the water pump out myself and have only one-question regarding timing belts if I may. Is it possible to correctly tension the belts with out the $400 dollar tool? if so how and or what will be needed to do this correctly. This is the only thing stopping me from getting started on this project.

Thanks

Tabor

Some people do it without the special tool. You didn't mention what year your car is. If it is an '87 or later, you have an autotensioner on the engine.

rfuerst

I have a 1987-944S and I did not use a tension gauge when I replaced the timing and balance belts.I used the 1/2 twist method,meaning at the longest span of unsupported belt I set the tension so that I could twist the belt aprox. half way by hand.Yes my car has the auto tensioner which made me feel a little better about doing it this way.The car has run fine without any belt whine like I see some people have while useing the gauge.After 1500 miles I reset the belts and so far no problem.I personally think the timing and balance belt debate is blown out of proportion,it is very critical to change the belts and keep after them as far as tensioning but in my opinion it is not rocket science.Just my opinion. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Bob S. 1984 Silver

I am beginning to think the same way; that the entire timing belt problem is way overblown. For years on other OHC engines with belts, I used the 1/2 turn method with NEVER a failure. In a different thread, I wondered (out loud) whether the whole thing wasn't a ploy on the part of Porsche to sell a single purpose tool for a price many times what it costs to produce.

I had my belts retensioned last June before moving to Tucson. After I got here, I removed the covers and tried the 1/2 turn method. Surprise! That's what it took....

Cheers!

Bob S.