88Silver924S

I suspect that the bearings would last a lot longer if one could clean out the old grease and repack them with fresh grease.

I just replaced my timing belt idler with a new one since it was clicking and spun too freely (without the viscous resistance of a properly greased bearing). Out of curiosity I popped the seal out and inspected the *****, cage and races. The bearing had hardly any grease in it. I suspect that in a pinch one could repack it with grease (but how much--30%--50% and what kind of grease?) and put it back into service to limp home until a new one could be found. However, mine was clicking so I suspect one of the ***** might have spalled off a chunk or pitted.

I believe the sequence of events in the failure of these bearings is after many hours of operation the bearing runs low of grease, as the bearing runs low of lubrication it runs hot which further destroys the remaining grease, then friction from the dry bearing causes bearing failure. In the old days people re-greased bearings (hence the "lube" in the out dated oil change and lube). Now they just wait for them to fail and replace them (that's progress!). In general, bearings that are regularly cleaned and re-greased last a very very long time; the key is keeping it clean and properly lubricated. If someone wanted to one can carefully pry/pop out the seal of the bearings, clean out the old, dirty, worn out grease and repack the bearings I suppose. I might try that on a non-critical bearing like my lawn mower but I'll just bite the bullet and get new rollers for the timing belt system on these cars.

I hope your engine did not suffer any real serious damage!

Fronkenstein

Where are you buying any of these for $30? Certainly not any of the sponsors

Fronkenstein

Hey slightly off topic: Anyone here have experience with ArnnWorx www.arnnworx.com ? They have a few handy items. Wondering how the quality is.

Pete

bonus12

Arnnworx is well known and reputable, so is AllZims and pelican parts.

Fronkenstein

Familiar with Pelican had not heard of Zims thanks.

PelicanParts.com

Pete, let us know if you have any questions, happy to assist!

Fronkenstein

Still convalescing from back injuries. Maybe we get back on it next week and maybe... Really stinks loosing 3-4 weeks. Neither of the real projects will see the street before spring :'(

odurandina

hope you're back on your feet soon.

Fronkenstein

So back on my feet again and here is the news. Hold your breath now. Drum roll please! And.... SUCCESS!

I put a complete Conti Kit in her and after being in barn storage for 4 years she is running pretty well. Runs rich and a little high on idle so I am thinking idle adjustment, or sensor.

Sticking a fork in this one and of to the auction she goes ;-)

Hope I can pull $2000 out of her.

Thanks for the support everyone! Starting the Euro powered 944 with 951 suspension in another week.

Fronkenstein

Hey od! All cars suck :-D you drive a Porsche because of the way it feels under you butt, not because it's a rocket off the line or loaded with H.P. our because the engine is so wonderfully built - because it isn't.

The 944 engine has some great features and thought behind it, but there are some serious and basic design deficiencies that make it painful and costly to repair.

For example how many of these cars have had the power steering pump boss snap off? No big deal right, just take the bracket off right? Wrong! Now you get to do a t-belt job too.

Or how about that oil cooler snuggled under the exhaust headers? Or that wonderful backwards intake manifold?

And for you turbo lovers who ache for anything over 14Lbs of boost without blowing #2 ask to heck? Heck I run my Volvo 850R at 20Lbs bone stock with 270,000 miles.

So why do we have to have these cars? It's simple, at least for most of those on this board:

1) we love to bitch and moan ;-)
2) we love impossible causes :-)
3) we love to wrench B-)
4) volvos, no matter how hot or modded don't drive like a 944 :-D
5) and what is it they say about a fool and his money? :-D :-D

Anyway having owned near to 200 cars and motorcycles there just isn't enough lifetime to try them all, just the fun ones. And car fun is usually closely associated with empty wallets and a good deal of frustration.

If you want a V8 Porsche, buy an early 928 5 speed. I'd as soon cut up a 944 as put a Chevy in it. Now if I could put a 5 Volvo turbo....:-D

Pete

mytrplseven

Ride 'em till they buck! I work on mine more than I drive it. Partly because I have other stuff on my plate, but when I work on my Porsche, It's my therapy. The reward is how much more fun I have after each problem solved or upgrade finished.

100mileperhour

I agree, the reason you drive a 30 year-old Porsche, is because you like the car, you like how it feels, you like how it looks and like looking at an engine that has a certain character, sometimes needs some love. Something about hoping in your "old" car and running down to the store and parking it by itself. I bet you get a lot more compliments on the car, than say your Toyota, Nissan or Honda. All great engineered cars, but lacking on the personality.

Okay, I'll shut up!

odurandina

my problem is the 30 k miles / year.

100mileperhour

[QUOTE=odurandina;10893526]my problem is the 30 k miles / year.[/QUOTE4


Me too! That's why I drive a E46 BMW Monday-Friday! 231,000 miles and counting, but that's an entirely different type of car!