timing belt retensioning
05-22-2007, 11:53 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
timing belt retensioning
had my timing belt done a few weeks ago; the tensioner belt light comes on now on hard acceleration. the shop I had do the work said it just needs retensioning?
any special porsche timing tool required?
how big of a job is it?
any special porsche timing tool required?
how big of a job is it?
05-22-2007, 12:03 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
Special tool, yes. How would you know how tight it is supposed to be?
Didn't they tell you it would need retensioning at 1500 miles when they did the job? Ask what tool they used, if they can't show you, go somewhere else. Search for Kempf tool or pay $350-400 for Porsche tool. I wouldn't drive it til I knew what the belt was doing. Good luck.
Didn't they tell you it would need retensioning at 1500 miles when they did the job? Ask what tool they used, if they can't show you, go somewhere else. Search for Kempf tool or pay $350-400 for Porsche tool. I wouldn't drive it til I knew what the belt was doing. Good luck.
05-22-2007, 12:28 PM
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
actually they showed me some special porsche tool which they said cost 900 bucks.
they said because of that tool they wouldn't need to retension it. (I guess they forgot to add "usually"); It happened within a week of having the belt done or less than 100 miles.
what it cost to have it retensioned?
also what I wanted to know is can it be done with just a regular or general timing belt tool? I've seen some interesting kits which included some device that presses up against the belt and comes up with a number like a fish scale reading. it's from a porsche 944 type site. any experience out there with these type of devices?
I'd prefer to have my local no porsche mechanic do the retensioning, unless that's a really bad idea because of the speciality tool needed or some highly specific porsche expertise.
they said because of that tool they wouldn't need to retension it. (I guess they forgot to add "usually"); It happened within a week of having the belt done or less than 100 miles.
what it cost to have it retensioned?
also what I wanted to know is can it be done with just a regular or general timing belt tool? I've seen some interesting kits which included some device that presses up against the belt and comes up with a number like a fish scale reading. it's from a porsche 944 type site. any experience out there with these type of devices?
I'd prefer to have my local no porsche mechanic do the retensioning, unless that's a really bad idea because of the speciality tool needed or some highly specific porsche expertise.
05-22-2007, 12:40 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
This sound very familiar. The PO on my car took it in to the local Porsche dealer and told them to "Do what needs to be done". $4000 later he gets the car back with a new timing belt and a few other repairs. Two weeks later the timing belt light comes on. He calls the Stealership and they tell him that the belt was just done and the light shouldn't be on and he should IGNORE it. Forturnately he drove the car very little.
When I had the car inspected prior to purchase I had the belt tensioned and it was dangerously loose. Get the Kempf tool and do the job yourself. That way you can be sure it was done correctly and will cost less than taking it back to the dealer to have them do it ?right?. Plus you will now own the tool for the future.
When I had the car inspected prior to purchase I had the belt tensioned and it was dangerously loose. Get the Kempf tool and do the job yourself. That way you can be sure it was done correctly and will cost less than taking it back to the dealer to have them do it ?right?. Plus you will now own the tool for the future.
05-22-2007, 12:45 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
I would hook up with some local 928 guys and see if they can help you check the tension properly. Or perhaps they can point you to a shop that knows 928's well.
I would not bring it to any other type of mechanic, especially one that is not well versed in 928's.
For the tension tool, I recommend the Kempf tool. It has proved very reliable and is used by many listers here. It sounds like it is similar to the 944 tool that you describe. I believe the Kempf tool is around $60 or so, available from the usual 928 suppliers.
Good luck. -Ed
I would not bring it to any other type of mechanic, especially one that is not well versed in 928's.
For the tension tool, I recommend the Kempf tool. It has proved very reliable and is used by many listers here. It sounds like it is similar to the 944 tool that you describe. I believe the Kempf tool is around $60 or so, available from the usual 928 suppliers.
Good luck. -Ed
05-22-2007, 12:53 PM
#6
928 Collector
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
What Ed said. The 944 Krikit tool will not do. Get a Kempf but more importantly, get a new shop. The factory service dchedule (timing belt procedure) REQUIRES a re-tension. In my opinion I'd get the whole thing looked-over by a 928 guru, because it is entirely possible that if they do not know the procedure they did not follow it ... and .....
05-22-2007, 01:36 PM
#7
Chronic Tool Dropper
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
I tyhink the big point here is the fact that the light is coming on A) a very short time after install & initial tension, and B) at higher RPM's. These two symptoms point to a tensioner that may be dry as well as not adjusted correctly.
Take a look at your receipt and make sure it includes tensioner gasket and boot, plus the rollers bearings bushings for the tensioner arm. If you don't see those parts listed, they probably didn't remove/rebuild/reseal the tensioner itself. It's really not that bad-- you only need to remove "most" of the front end of the engine again to do the tensioner correctly.
You can check for oil in the tensioner pretty easily without removing engine parts up front. If the tensioner is dry you have a clue that you didn't get a complete job.
Also-- Most reputable shops will tell you about the retensioning needed at 1000-1500 miles, and include that in the base price of your TB/WP service. The belt comes with a multi-language hang-tag for the steering wheel to remind the owner that this is a critical need. It is a critical need.
The good news: There's a healthy owners' group there in Houston. Hook up with them if you haven't already, and get some local hands-on guidance and support.
Take a look at your receipt and make sure it includes tensioner gasket and boot, plus the rollers bearings bushings for the tensioner arm. If you don't see those parts listed, they probably didn't remove/rebuild/reseal the tensioner itself. It's really not that bad-- you only need to remove "most" of the front end of the engine again to do the tensioner correctly.
You can check for oil in the tensioner pretty easily without removing engine parts up front. If the tensioner is dry you have a clue that you didn't get a complete job.
Also-- Most reputable shops will tell you about the retensioning needed at 1000-1500 miles, and include that in the base price of your TB/WP service. The belt comes with a multi-language hang-tag for the steering wheel to remind the owner that this is a critical need. It is a critical need.
The good news: There's a healthy owners' group there in Houston. Hook up with them if you haven't already, and get some local hands-on guidance and support.
