just_drive

I'm a fairly new owner who is getting to know my 1989 S4 (US) system by system. I read a lot of stories about the "scary" but crucial "Cam Belt" warning light. Here's the confusing part...what MYs have this feature? Does mine have a timing belt or tensioner warning light or dash notification? If so where? It's not in the manual that I can see or displayed when the car starts (check light). If it is there, is it related to mileage or just activated electrically.

A related question....I have a leaky (not too bad) tensioner gasket. I am aware this is fairly common. Should I try to fill with STP fluid or not worry about for now. I plan on driving about 2500-3000 miles per year. BTW the car has 100K and has been very well maintained (but no receipts for this particular work). It appears the belt and WP were replaced not too long ago by PO. Otherwise the engine runs and starts as it should. Looks like either original tensioner or Porsche part is on there not Porken tensioner.
Thanks

Mark

Kiln_Red

MY85+ and ROW MY84 have the belt tension warning indicator. Sometimes tensioner leaks are mistaken for engine oil leaks. If keeping the belt tension warning is important to you, then the Porkensioner won't appeal to you. Resealing and refilling the Porsche tensioner is the choice of many here.

just_drive

Thanks for the quick reply. So is it a dash light or on the digital display portion?

mdkelly1

There is a table of "warning lights" (priority I - III) on page 39 of the MY1989 Owners Manual. Here is a link: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...al-online.html, courtesy of Andrew Olson.

mdkelly1

I can't speak to the MY1989 digital display. On MY1988, the "Toothed Belt" warning light is in the dash pod display and acts in conjunction with the central warning (!) indicator.

just_drive

Looks like the "upgrade" to a partially digital display in MY89 changed the tensioner/belt warning to a text display in the digital bottom portion of the center dash. It will show "Toothed Belt Service" FWIW.