It's confirmed, I'm an idiot
06-10-2003, 12:15 PM
#1
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It's confirmed, I'm an idiot
1500 miles after a new timing belt on my '87 951 I check the tension. After a couple of hours of work, I finally got to the auto-tensioner. Loosened both the 13mm nut and bolt and nothing happened. Put a wrench on the 17mm nut and applied pressure. As stated here... <a href="http://www.connact.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq08.html" target="_blank">http://www.connact.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq08.html</a>
The tensioner moved ever so slightly, so I feel as though I did a good job. Tightened the 13mm nut and bolt back, now on to the 17mm nut. No dice. Won't tighten, just spins with the bolt. Spins and spins. This the auto-tensioner sprocket assembly. I call Randy at Phoenix Imports in NY. He tells me that I basically was wasting my time trying to re-tension the belt. He has never had to re-tension any timing belt he has ever put on a Porsche.
Please tell me someone knows what I'm talking about, and hopefully tell me what do to now. I've driven my car about 80 miles since then, and haven't heard/seen/felt any problems. Should I see if I can't get back in there and try and tighten the bolt back down? Randy says I can get at the back of the sprocket and get to the head of the stud if I take EVERYTHING back apart.
HELP!!!
The tensioner moved ever so slightly, so I feel as though I did a good job. Tightened the 13mm nut and bolt back, now on to the 17mm nut. No dice. Won't tighten, just spins with the bolt. Spins and spins. This the auto-tensioner sprocket assembly. I call Randy at Phoenix Imports in NY. He tells me that I basically was wasting my time trying to re-tension the belt. He has never had to re-tension any timing belt he has ever put on a Porsche.
Please tell me someone knows what I'm talking about, and hopefully tell me what do to now. I've driven my car about 80 miles since then, and haven't heard/seen/felt any problems. Should I see if I can't get back in there and try and tighten the bolt back down? Randy says I can get at the back of the sprocket and get to the head of the stud if I take EVERYTHING back apart.
HELP!!!
06-10-2003, 03:25 PM
#4
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OriginalSterm -
Get a new mechanic.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
Or at least let him know that there has never been a 944 model that doesn't require a retention of the belts.
The 86's need a tool to do both belts, it's called the 9201.
The 87+ with the auto-tensioners need that SAME tool to do the balance shaft belt. The auto-tensioner doesn't constantly keep tension on the belt though, it needs to be loosened as you've done. The balance shaft belts need tensioning the same way as the other cars.
As for the 17mm nut - any chance you have a digital picture of which one of those guys that are in there you're talking about?
Hope that helps!
Get a new mechanic.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
Or at least let him know that there has never been a 944 model that doesn't require a retention of the belts.
The 86's need a tool to do both belts, it's called the 9201.
The 87+ with the auto-tensioners need that SAME tool to do the balance shaft belt. The auto-tensioner doesn't constantly keep tension on the belt though, it needs to be loosened as you've done. The balance shaft belts need tensioning the same way as the other cars.
As for the 17mm nut - any chance you have a digital picture of which one of those guys that are in there you're talking about?
Hope that helps!
06-10-2003, 04:02 PM
#5
Race Car
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No pic, I'm at work anyways. But I can describe it...
It's the bottom assembly of the auto-tensioner, the nut is 17mm and the stud goes through the auto-tensioner sprocket I believe. There are only 3 things I can turn on the auto-tensioner arm and this is the bottom one, the only 17mm one as well. dmoffitt sent me a picture of what I was working on, I think it was a screen shot from the PET. If so, it looks like the 9-10-11-12 assembly...
Does this help?
Thanks
It's the bottom assembly of the auto-tensioner, the nut is 17mm and the stud goes through the auto-tensioner sprocket I believe. There are only 3 things I can turn on the auto-tensioner arm and this is the bottom one, the only 17mm one as well. dmoffitt sent me a picture of what I was working on, I think it was a screen shot from the PET. If so, it looks like the 9-10-11-12 assembly...
Does this help?
Thanks
06-10-2003, 04:14 PM
#6
Big thirst, Sore Thumbs
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Napoleon
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Napoleon
"I call Randy at Phoenix Imports in NY. He tells me that I basically was wasting my time trying to re-tension the belt. He has never had to re-tension any timing belt he has ever put on a Porsche."
Of course not. I'm sure Randy is real good at valve jobs and has a nice boat payment as well as a couple of kids to put through college.
Of course not. I'm sure Randy is real good at valve jobs and has a nice boat payment as well as a couple of kids to put through college.
06-10-2003, 04:24 PM
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Very few times has the belt been even near spec on a retension. Mind I do have an S... When I did this last, I think I loostened two 13mm nut/bolts??? I'm pretty sure thats right...
Not 100% positive.
Not 100% positive.
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06-10-2003, 04:26 PM
#8
Race Car
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I don't want it to sound like I'm doubting him or the dozens of people on here who disagree with him. But, he was the one who put on the timing belt, he has done 951s before, I haven't. So I asked him about this particular issue I have with the retensioning. If he doesn't do it, fine, I want to. I was just hoping he would tell me how to fix what I screwed up, if I even screwed up.
06-10-2003, 04:30 PM
#9
Race Car
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Robert D-
Those are the top 2 you have to loosen to re-tension the belt. The 3rd nut, 17mm, is below them on the tensioning arm. This is the nut/stud that are spinning freely.
Those are the top 2 you have to loosen to re-tension the belt. The 3rd nut, 17mm, is below them on the tensioning arm. This is the nut/stud that are spinning freely.
06-10-2003, 05:00 PM
#10
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I think you are talking about the bolt that goes through the tensioner pulley or roller. It has a bolt, not a stud. You need to get a wrench on the back side of it to hold it as well. IIRC, the bolt comes from the back side and the nut goes on the front. Good Luck
06-10-2003, 05:02 PM
#11
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nine-44
That is exactly what I'm talking about (I think). You wouldn't happen to know how critical that is to tighten it down immediately, would you? Should I just keep and eye on it and fix it next time I check the timing belt?
That is exactly what I'm talking about (I think). You wouldn't happen to know how critical that is to tighten it down immediately, would you? Should I just keep and eye on it and fix it next time I check the timing belt?