patanga

Ok, I've got the cover off and guide rails and gaskets etc ready to go. Only thing is that both the secondary drive chain and the new replacement chain are endless (i.e. no links). I've read that the chain tensioner guide rails takes an hour or so for the whole job. As the chains are endless though, the cam shafts will need to be removed and that makes the job much bigger. Have I bought the wrong replacement chain or is it a matter of splitting the chain and buying a link? Thanks.

dillon410021

No, u have to remove cams. Thats how i did my 944S

fortysixandtwo

Yup, cams come out to replace the chain.

mharmon944

You can change the tensioner without replacing the chain- chain is good for at least a couple hundred thousand miles (my car had 260k+) without any problems

dillon410021

yeah, but for a $10 chain, its worth the insurance to do. You could mark the timing belt on the cam gear, remove cams, change chain, replace cams, and install the belt.

patanga

I thought this would be the case. Thanks folks. I was hoping that there might be an aftermarket chain with removable link option.

dillon410021; When you marked the cam & belt etc did you also need to loosen the tensioner.. Or were you able to do the replacement by leaving the adjustment alone and tieing the sprocket up in some way?

944meister

FYI keep three m5 bolts tightened as pictured, so you dont lose your cam timing.

968 GUY

You really would not want a removeable link that had the possibility of coming apart and messing up the your engine.

Dino V

+1

dillon410021

yeah, make marks so u dont lose the timing of the cam gear. I did that and had to get dial gauges to set the timing again to make the engine run correctly again

penelli_porsche

Opinion/Support from those in the know please. Inspecting my current chain it is all solid. But the two brass-coloured linkages (which mark the sprockets upright position when in TDC) have a tiny bit of play. It is only these links that have any play..... is this normal?

AnthonyGS

Motorcycle chains run removable links. They work fine. In this case that isn’t an option though.

ried

Never heard of a chain failure. Ever, unlike the tensioner pad. Not a wear item. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

KenJebsen

the chains dont fail directly, it is rather that the tensioner pads get old, corners of them break off or the chain gets worn from time to time. When both happesn, the chain will sooner or later jump over a tooth of the gearwheel and that cause huge damage! Better be caeful!

cheeRS
Ken