gilwong

You're spending the money, keep the car and drive it for the next 10years/100,000 miles. Make sure you get a good warranty on the work. When my engine was rebuilt and upgraded, I got a two year full warranty.

jonnybgood

Hey Gil, I bought a new Ford Ranger three years ago that on top of fuel, insurance and maintanance cost me $3k per year in depreciation. I think that if I do as you say I will end up way ahead over time. Plus I will have car that is almost as fun as my girlfriend.

triscadek

Oops, I got mine with 158,000 on it not 148,000mi. but am at 187,000 now and the newly installed belts that were on it and the replacement belts stiil whine (2 years). I don't know what I'd do if they were quiet, I've gotten partial to that sound and the heads it turns.

jonnybgood

Thanks Paul, I thought the whine was do to counter balance shaft belts too tight. Based on what you say they can be adjusted correctly and still whine. I won't freak if I hear the same again.
Jon

SoCal Driver

So you are due for a belt change. Going to check the chain tensioner pads?

jonnybgood

SoCal Driver,
Is that the belt change cop coming out of the blue booth or what. Wish you had given me a belt change violation sooner. I did the math on triscadek too and thought he was due but he may still be legal depending on when the "replacement" belts were installed.
I have been reading this forum too much since my episode but there are two other 944s threads with tensioner or timing belt failures right now
jonny

SoCal Driver

I've had two timing belt failures in 18 years -- don't ask.

I hate to see a good car wind up in the parts bin because of a couple of pieces of plastic.

There is a fellow over on Pelican that is balking at checking his chain even though the timing belt just broke. The timing belt was reported to be about 3,000 miles "old". Gee I wonder what broke the timing belt?

triscadek

Now that this comes up, I will check the lower pad as soon as I can, I did replace the upper pad.

To help clarify.
The belts have less than 10,000 miles on them (changed last Christmas), but will get changed at 30,000.

When I bought the car it had new belts but I decided to change them early just to be safe after 15 months.

billybones

If he dismantled the lower end. It will not matter what the bearings looked like. They will need replacement. If he puts them back in they will likely fail. Make sure you get new bearings. there is a crush to the install that makes them fit. They get one removal to check with plastigauge to the journals. after that it is a toss up to how long they will last..at that price it should include new bearings... Good luck!

jonnybgood

Thanks, He said they are only 50 bucks so I assume he is putting in new. I will double check today.

drew

Just my 2 cents worth on the wine. It is my opinion that the wine is caused by the belts beeing too tight. Mine did had it properly adjusted, wine gone!!

SoCal Driver

I get tight with wine too! Preferably a good chardonay.

Peckster

jonnybgood

Personally I prefer a good Merlot.
I keep calling Helmut each day with new material from you guys, Thanks, I appreciate the back seat driving. He only removed the rod bearings and checked those and based upon the good condition of the rod bearings and journals he says that the mains must be good as well. He said "no I wouldn't split the case unless I had to" so sounds like the mains are still buttoned up.
Also previously I mentioned that the cams were $500 each for the regrind. He corrected me today. It is $575 for both cams. He has sent them to Southern California to be reground. Apparently they do them in batches and nitride them all at the same time so he won't get them back until Monday. I might get the car Wednesday. Seems I have generated some interest so I will keep posting to let you know what happens.
I just looked on eBay and there is a low mile 95 968 3l complete engine for sale, current bid $1,034!

triscadek

Don't look, hindsight is way too 20/20.

Speaking of expensive ex's if you drop the 944S from the title here it reminds me of a favorite ex g/f.