Low mileage timing belt change
06-02-2018, 09:31 AM
#1
Track Day
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Low mileage timing belt change
Hi!
I´m about to do my first belt change on a -90 S4.
The current belt has 12000miles and 7 years on it and the car has not been driven for almost 2 years.
The question is would you except for changing the belt:
- Change the belt (I guess most of you would say yes
- Change the pulleys?
- Change the waterpump
I will rebuild the tensioner because that was not done the last time.
I have no plans of selling the car in the next timing belt period and will most likely not drive it more than 20000miles in that period.
What would you have done?
I´m about to do my first belt change on a -90 S4.
The current belt has 12000miles and 7 years on it and the car has not been driven for almost 2 years.
The question is would you except for changing the belt:
- Change the belt (I guess most of you would say yes
- Change the pulleys?
- Change the waterpump
I will rebuild the tensioner because that was not done the last time.
I have no plans of selling the car in the next timing belt period and will most likely not drive it more than 20000miles in that period.
What would you have done?
06-02-2018, 09:44 AM
#2
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Change the belt- probably a good time to do so after 7 years. There is no truly definitive answer to the question and you will doubtless get many different opinions as to when to change it out.
The pulleys I would only change based on condition they are found to be in, especially so if they have only done 12k miles they should still be fine.
For the water pump if that has only done 12k miles I would reuse without hesitation. Of course some folks reckon one should change the pump at the same time as the belt but given the current pricing of pumps that is a luxury most would not want to shell out on. .
The other point to consider is whether you are doing the job yourself or have to pay someone to do it for you- that changes the perspective somewhat.
The pulleys I would only change based on condition they are found to be in, especially so if they have only done 12k miles they should still be fine.
For the water pump if that has only done 12k miles I would reuse without hesitation. Of course some folks reckon one should change the pump at the same time as the belt but given the current pricing of pumps that is a luxury most would not want to shell out on. .
The other point to consider is whether you are doing the job yourself or have to pay someone to do it for you- that changes the perspective somewhat.
06-02-2018, 09:49 AM
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Track Day
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Change the belt- probably a good time to do so after 7 years. There is no truly definitive answer to the question and you will doubtless get many different opinions as to when to change it out.
The pulleys I would only change based on condition they are found to be in, especially so if they have only done 12k miles they should still be fine.
For the water pump if that has only done 12k miles I would reuse without hesitation. Of course some folks reckon one should change the pump at the same time as the belt but given the current pricing of pumps that is a luxury most would not want to shell out on. .
The other point to consider is whether you are doing the job yourself or have to pay someone to do it for you- that changes the perspective somewhat.
The pulleys I would only change based on condition they are found to be in, especially so if they have only done 12k miles they should still be fine.
For the water pump if that has only done 12k miles I would reuse without hesitation. Of course some folks reckon one should change the pump at the same time as the belt but given the current pricing of pumps that is a luxury most would not want to shell out on. .
The other point to consider is whether you are doing the job yourself or have to pay someone to do it for you- that changes the perspective somewhat.
I will do the change myself and I have only retentioned the belt before, never changed it so I figured doing it myself and make it as simple as possible.
I feel the same about the pump it really should hold up just fine for 5 more years and 20k miles
Thank you!
06-02-2018, 10:19 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
Thank you for the input. I will change the belt and wont take a chance on that.
I will do the change myself and I have only retentioned the belt before, never changed it so I figured doing it myself and make it as simple as possible.
I feel the same about the pump it really should hold up just fine for 5 more years and 20k miles
Thank you!
I will do the change myself and I have only retentioned the belt before, never changed it so I figured doing it myself and make it as simple as possible.
I feel the same about the pump it really should hold up just fine for 5 more years and 20k miles
Thank you!
06-04-2018, 10:31 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
I recently did a timing belt change based on it being 10 years since I did it previously but probably less than 7,000 miles ago. I replaced all of the related parts and rebuilt the tensioner previously so those were not done again. I decide the change the water pump because I was not sure what brand I used previously and water to ensure that I had a plastic impeller version.
06-08-2018, 08:17 AM
#6
Track Day
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Look up Dwayne's timing belt procedure - it is definitive resource for DIY mechanics. On the tensioner you may be well advised to replace the idler pulley bushing. For the tensioner itself the end cap/fastener is the obvious replacement item and possibly the insulation bush. You should also be aware that the tensioner bolt has a sealant on its threads that needs to be refreshed- I used some silicon RTV. You will need the crank locking tool to undo the 27mm crank nut- best done with a 3/4 inch sq drive long reach socket. Just be careful, take your time and follow the procedure carefully.
I will take my time with this and follow the guides and take lots of photos so if I get stuck or feel worried I can post it here. Over the years I have done a lot of work on my 928 so I am confident that i will work this out aswell but this will be the most complicated and delicate work yet.
After looking up the prices on the parts here in Sweden I decided to change everything because with all included it was (just) $600 including taxes and shipping. The lock tool is ordered and on its way and I already have the tension tool. Hopefully I will have this done asap because I really want to drive it now. It has been 1½ years since last time and that is far too long ago
06-08-2018, 09:15 AM
#7
Administrator - "Tyson"
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Absolutely change the rollers, this includes the one or two under the crank gear. If you are not going to change those, you might as well leave the old belt on. Far more timing belts have been damaged from rollers locking up than belts just up and failing on their own.
Inspect the gears, if the coating is starting to wear off consider having them re-coated. Find a place that does hard anodizing or a few here can recommend a DIY spray & bake coating.
As for the pump, I'm not sure myself. My car will be due for a similar low mileage / time dictating TB change soon. I'll probably leave on the pump, my mentality is leaning towards if you have a "good one" on the car, leave it.
Inspect the gears, if the coating is starting to wear off consider having them re-coated. Find a place that does hard anodizing or a few here can recommend a DIY spray & bake coating.
As for the pump, I'm not sure myself. My car will be due for a similar low mileage / time dictating TB change soon. I'll probably leave on the pump, my mentality is leaning towards if you have a "good one" on the car, leave it.
