Tale of Timing Belt woe
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Unhappy](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon9.gif)
Well my 944, which was running perfectly, went in for its requisite Timing Belt/Water Pump service this past week (88,000 miles, last belt at 45,000, 5 years ago!). Well I got it back and it runs lousey, and has a NASTY vibration at 3000 RPM. I brought it back this morning and said "Fix it"! My guess is they got one or both balance shafts off some cogs. Does that sound reasonable? Could any other screwup cause it?
I'm NOT a happy Camper!
I'm NOT a happy Camper!
#2
Three Wheelin'
![Post](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sounds like one of the balance shafts is not aligned properly. I had the same problem about 10 years and that is when I started doing all of my own work.
Dave Fracolli
85.5 944
unemployed bum
Dave Fracolli
85.5 944
unemployed bum
#4
Three Wheelin'
![Post](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
So, like...let's say you had the Magic Timing Belt Tensioner Tool...how difficult is it to do the work? I can change my oil/brake pads no sweat, but I get nervous around the engine...
#5
Pro
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Unhappy](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon9.gif)
Well the saga continues. I figured I'd give these people one shot at correcting their screw-up. They've sat on this for a couple days, now today they will 'look' at it. I have this sick feeling in my stomach that they will come back and say "the framus is misaligned with the whatsit" and it will cost you $$$ to fix, so they re-coup the cost of ripping the thing apart again!! My only thought will be to say "no thanks", get my poor baby back, bring it to the Porsche dealer who's 35 miles away...and put a hold on the credit card I paid these guys with. Anyone have a better way to deal with this??? Has anyone had luck with this sort of thing???
You know one would think that these guys would know that:
1. People who own these sorts of cars want the work done correctly...and usually KNOW when it isn't!
2. We own them because we love them...and it REALLY pi**es us off when somebody screws them up!
-Sad in New Hampshire
You know one would think that these guys would know that:
1. People who own these sorts of cars want the work done correctly...and usually KNOW when it isn't!
2. We own them because we love them...and it REALLY pi**es us off when somebody screws them up!
-Sad in New Hampshire
![Frown](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
#6
Addict
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: CT
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Steve,
Not sure where you are in NH, but for future reference - Mark Nadler at Exotech in Plaistow, NH knows these cars very well, and is a first-rate guy. You might consider having him do your work in the future -
Matt
Not sure where you are in NH, but for future reference - Mark Nadler at Exotech in Plaistow, NH knows these cars very well, and is a first-rate guy. You might consider having him do your work in the future -
Matt
#7
![Post](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
heres a question. i did all the water pump and belts installation myself. the timing is correct and im sure everything is perfect. brought it to the dealer to have the belts tensioned and tensioned only. they quoted me at 3 hours at 85/hr. 3 hours seems insane to me. has anyone else brought their car in for tensioning only?
Trending Topics
#9
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Amherst, NH
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Steve - and everyone else -
If you're in the NH/MA area and want to learn to adjust your belts, etc, then let me know. I'm thinking of having an "adjust your timing belt and b-shaft belt" day at the house, complete with beer, food, etc.
Yes, I do have the magical belt tensioning tool too.
HTH!
If you're in the NH/MA area and want to learn to adjust your belts, etc, then let me know. I'm thinking of having an "adjust your timing belt and b-shaft belt" day at the house, complete with beer, food, etc.
Yes, I do have the magical belt tensioning tool too.
HTH!
#11
Race Car
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Katy, TX - Texas Greaseslingers West
Posts: 4,848
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
This won't help Steve, but...
I hear so many stories of shops that don't do it right that I thought I'd post one that does.
Keith's Highly Recomended List:
ProTechnik
12999 Murphy Road, Bldg F
Stafford, Texas 77477
(281) 879-8861
Just had mine done last month and I have ZERO problems to report. They did an excellent job, at a good price, and on time. These guys advertise through our local PCA region (Porschenaut Newsletter). I'd like to suggest that everyone join PCA, they can be a wealth of information on the shops in your area too.
Later,
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />
PS: Maybe we need to start a hall of shame and fame! We could come up with a star system like we use to have on our names. The more positives the higher the ranking - kinda like e-bay.
I hear so many stories of shops that don't do it right that I thought I'd post one that does.
Keith's Highly Recomended List:
ProTechnik
12999 Murphy Road, Bldg F
Stafford, Texas 77477
(281) 879-8861
Just had mine done last month and I have ZERO problems to report. They did an excellent job, at a good price, and on time. These guys advertise through our local PCA region (Porschenaut Newsletter). I'd like to suggest that everyone join PCA, they can be a wealth of information on the shops in your area too.
Later,
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />
PS: Maybe we need to start a hall of shame and fame! We could come up with a star system like we use to have on our names. The more positives the higher the ranking - kinda like e-bay.
#12
![Post](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Toolmaster,
I am in for an adjust your own belts session.
When I first bought my car last year I had a PPI done by an excellent local P-car mechanic. But bill was more than I could swallow. I asked him to do the belts and water pump, but he did way more than I wanted him to do.
He agree to a free retensioning of the belts, but I took everything out out the way of the belts. When I was ready, he slapped on the "tool" and tensioned the belts. Then I put it back together.
In the future I would like to do it myself and I am moving to NH in July. Just what you need up there another MASSHOLE.
Mark
'88 944S
I am in for an adjust your own belts session.
When I first bought my car last year I had a PPI done by an excellent local P-car mechanic. But bill was more than I could swallow. I asked him to do the belts and water pump, but he did way more than I wanted him to do.
He agree to a free retensioning of the belts, but I took everything out out the way of the belts. When I was ready, he slapped on the "tool" and tensioned the belts. Then I put it back together.
In the future I would like to do it myself and I am moving to NH in July. Just what you need up there another MASSHOLE.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
Mark
'88 944S
#14
Race Director
![Post](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I've got a videotape of the belt replacement and tensioning procedure that's really easy to follow. I'll loan it out and we can pass it around for the cost of postage if anyone's interested. Perhaps have it as part of "the tool" rental/exchange program...
#15
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Jackson, MS
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm up for the video! Doesn't Blazek make a cheap tool that some reccomend? I wouldn't mind being a Tool club member, but afraid I would drop it or something.