Mark Hubley

So last week I picked up a used '87 924S; 52,600 miles. Timing belts were last changed at ~37K miles, but that was over ten years ago.

I called two shops in the Annapolis, MD, area (Tif's in Annapolis, and Island Imports on Kent Island). They each gave me estimates on the order of $2,000 to change timings belts and water pump.

From '97 to '07 I owned a 1986 944. I put about 120K miles on the car and I think I had the timing belts replaced three times. I think one of those was done by Tif's. I never paid more than $1,000 for the work. I think it was more like $700 or $800.

What the heck is the deal with $2,000?????

Back in '06 I successfully changed the clutch on the 944, so I have some mechanical skill. However, it seems to me that changing timing belts takes things to another level in that there are tools I don't have and if I don't get it just right I will have bigger problems.

Advice please!

Mark Hubley

Actually, I guess the DIY part isn't all that daunting. Given a bad back and a busy schedule, I figured in my case it would be worth $1,000.

I guess my main point is that I'm really shocked to hear two shops saying twice that.

black944 turbo

Thats way to much money. Buy the parts, buy the tools and do it yourself. You are still ahead of the game and you can do the job again on your next 944 or 24S. It is not a bad job, just time consuming. The clutch has got to be more difficult than the belts btw.

AScholtes

Its not really that bad to do.... i changed all my hoses and vacuum lines as well as the heater diverter valve when I did my belts and pump... I guess I may have spent about 12 hours on all of it over several weeks (you know, whoops... need one of these, hit the internet and order...whoops need one of those too... order placed... now wait a week between orders)....Its really not that bad, hopefully you have smaller hands than mine

racer

Maybe a subtle way to encourage you to "take this job elsewhere" . I've heard shop numbers of approx $1500 for a full belt/wp maintenance. Its likely just the time consuming issue at what, $100/hr? more?

Congrats on the 924S.. will this be your autocross car? - we need more cars in the class!

or did you buy it as a cheap way to get on "track" vs modding the boxster?

Arominus

Funny thing is, i did the TB/WP on my girlfriends 2000 passat 1.8t recently and it was actually worse (IMO) to do than my 924s. I had to peel the front bumper cover off and get the whole radiator support pushed forward into the "service position. What a PITA. I bet you they don't charge that much to do the TB/WP on the passat though

Get the balance shaft tool and the flywheel lock and your in business. Its not all that bad.

Van

Look for some videos on youtube.

V2Rocket

tell the shops to GF themselves

a timing belt job takes 3 hours tops, start to finish. adding a waterpump if you pull the radiator and stuff too out of the way might be another 2 hours. so call it 5 hours. set aside a weekend and save yourself the cash

John_AZ

With a bad back, no tools and busy schedule it is a problem.

Congratulations on the purchase.

I am thinking that the shops gave you an estimate because of the age of the car and the shops know it is not "just the belts and WP".

If the car has 52.6K miles and the last belt change was at ~37K, the rollers are surely the original. The original rollers had plastic and cracked---you must change the rollers.

The WP is the "non Turbo upgrade". To put the turbo upgraded WP in it will take more parts and time to cut the rear timing belt cover.

If the front engine seals are bad and leaks oil, you need a FOES ---front of engine seal replacement.

I am actually surprised they even gave you a quote of $2000 on the phone without a driveup price quote unless they know that once in the shop, you will let them do the rest of the work. $$++$$++$$++$$++$$

I can go on with more repairs the shop will find, I have owned my '88 since '95 and the '87 since '98. Neither have seen a shop.

GL
John

Mark Hubley

You may have seen me rant about PCA's prohibitions against me tracking the Boxster. So, yes, I saw this car for sale and thought "track car." As it is my opinion that autocrossing is beneficial to track driving, I expect the 924S to replace the Boxster as my autocross car. If you see me at the next Potomac autocross with the Boxster, that means I haven't gotten around to changing the belts on the 924S

Thanks to all for the advice. Let's hope my jackstands and my back are up to the task!

odurandina

but it's a P o r s c h e.

Marcquito

They quoted you that high because they don't want to do the job. Get the stuff and do it yourself. You'll be rewarded with a new skill and the ability to do it again in the future. It's not so bad.

dpoul34

I thought the 87's were upgraded to automatic tensioners, thus avoiding the need for special tools?

I had mine done locally for $350 in labor and I supplied the parts (that included water pump). I agree above, they were charging that price to avoid the project. Youtube has a couple of videos that make this look like an extremely do-able project. if you did the clutch, I have no doubts you could do the timing belt.

pontifex4

Next time, I'm going to use Van's videos. As he (too modestly) mentioned, they're on Youtube, and they're excellent.

JohnKoaWood

Mark, PM sent RE: belts... there are more than enough of us around to be able to knock this one out of the park!

I am in NoVA, but can always take a drive...