jason1972

i just recently changed the timing and bal. shaft belts on my 1989 944s2 at about 1000k miles ago.

The owners manual states that I should "retension after 1000 miles"

I thought 1986 newer 944's had automatic tensioners.

Should I check for retension on my 944s2? and if yes, how much will it cost me?

thanks

WillyC4S

Jason1972,

You have to re-tension the belts because they stretch. For the '87 and newer vehicles w/ the "automatic" tensioner, you still have to re-tension them since it doesn't automatically tension it once it stretches that much. The "automatic" part of the tensioner is so you don't have to use the infamous Porsche belt tensioner tool when you initially put the tension on the belt.

There isn't an automatic tensioner for the balance shaft belts, so you'll need to do that w/ the Porsche tool (or equivalent).

Hope this helps.

*****

Jfrahm

You want to retension it. There is a spring tensioner that sets the tension automatically, but then you tighten the tensoner down and it will not move again until you go through the adjusting procedure again. When the belt stretches, as a new belt will, it loosens up. You need to pull to top cover off and lossen the tensioner to allow it to take up more slack. It's a 10 minute procedure, I think people pay $50-$80 for it at a shop. More details on the web or in your friendly service manual.

-Joel.

MAS

Retensioning is cheap... about $50 bucks (Canadian) where I get my car serviced. You have to get this done, because the belts initially stretch more than the auto tensioner can handle.

If you don't get them retensioned, you'll hear them chattering when you start the car.

-MAS

Jfrahm

Originally posted by MAS:
>...the belts initially stretch more than the auto tensioner can handle.

To be clear, the 'auto' tensioner never takes up slack until a mechanic goes in and loosens it's mounting nuts, allowing it to move. He then bolts it up tight again. It will not take up more slack until the next retension. I don't want people to get the idea that the belt tensioner is in there self-adjusting all the time while they are driving around.

-Joel.

jason1972

thanks for the great info.

is it safe to do it after 1500 to 2000 miles after i changed the t-belt? manual says 1000 miles (i think) but most people i heard do it after around 2000k miles.
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