Mongo

Whats the average cost of timing belts and rollers for a '87 928 S4? I think I may need them.. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Nicole

In California I would estimate about $1200, including the water pump. You should always have the water pump replaced at the same time, as it is driven by the belt. If the pump starts leaking (which it might under the load of a new belt), you have to do the whole job over again. If the pump breaks, well then you are in big trouble...

Greg86andahalf

EuroSpec944,

Are you going to do the work yourself? Do you need the avarage parts cost?

Jay Wellwood

Look through the past posts, there is a list of the parts needed, and I think I also included the prices for the items.

If you do the work - ~$350 for the components, if you pay for the work to be done - ~$1100-1300 seems to be a typical range.

hth-

Mongo

oh great....so how hard is it to do the work yourself? I can buy the tensioning tool and the factory manuals...but is it real hard to set these cars to TDC and do timing belts and pump? if so I'm just going to take it to a mechanic.

928 U.K.

i got my timing belt and water pump replaced for £375 inclusive of parts by a porsche mechanic who works from home

do not leave it too long or you could be in for major expense

1984
s2

euro

Thom1

Euro,

At the risk of being redundant, here is a document that I update and post periodically. It seems to me that it is easier for you to just read this document than to search the archives. I think that the cost data that Jay referred to is here. I have done the work a couple of times. It does take some time, but is not overly complex.

Timing Belt and Water Pump Replacement Essentials:

Removal:
You have to remove or loosen everything from the front of the engine including:
Fan and Throttle Linkage Console/Carrier
Alternator
A/C Compressor - loosen
Smog Pump
Power Steering Pump
Front Main Timing Belt Cover
Distributors
Front Distributor Timing Belt Covers
Tensioner – Rebuild it
Tensioner Console
Rollers
Pulleys
Water Pump
Upper Fan Shroud/Cowling
Fan Belts
Hoses

You can easily break off water pump bolts by over-torquing or removing stuck ones. It would be nice to have the engine cleaned first – without losing any original factory stickers. However, I would not drive the car for that after receiving a belt tension warning. I heartily recommend that you or your mechanic replace everything on this list while you are in there. Rollers have bearings that will become fowled by anti-freeze or mileage.

Special Tools:
Buy the aftermarket belt tension tool for around $50, and the flywheel holding tool for around $20.
Socket for front main pulley
Metric Allen Wrenches with 3/8” drive fit
Breaker bar and cheater pipe for pulley socket (not really special tools)
Metric deep sockets (not really special tools)
Universal, ratchet, and extensions for sockets (not really special tools)

Tool, Part, & Manual Suppliers:
928 Specialists at 828-766-9280, Devek, and 928 International 800-634-6117. Those “Big 3” can hook you up with about anything for the 928. Tweeks, Pelican, Automotion, etc. can also help with your needs. See the Rennlist site for contact information. The other tools are available from Sears, and most auto parts stores. See ebay for PET 5 parts CD, and deals on parts. Harbor Freight has dial indicators (gauges required for setting timing), and all kinds of tools. See their website at: <a href="http://www.harborfreight.com." target="_blank">www.harborfreight.com.</a>

Online Support:
Join the free Rennlist 928 Web Board. The web interface is the most effective that I have used. The email groups give an additional audience, but less sophisticated interface. See: <a href="http://www.rennlist.org/" target="_blank">http://www.rennlist.org/</a>
Also see the 928 message board at: <a href="http://members3.boardhost.com/928s4vr/" target="_blank">http://members3.boardhost.com/928s4vr/</a>
Also see the 928S4VR Forum at: <a href="http://www.voy.com/55895/" target="_blank">http://www.voy.com/55895/</a>

New Parts & Supplies:
Water Pump – Porsche rebuilt will do, not necessarily new
Water Pump Gasket
Timing Belt
All other Belts
Rollers (3)
Aluminum Safe Antifreeze (Warning: Dexcool can harm older cars)
Distilled water (to be used with antifreeze)
Thermostat
Thermostat sealing ring
Radiator Hoses (2)
Timing Belt Idler bushings (2)
Radiator Drain Plug
Engine Block Drain Plug Seal Washers – metal (2)
Tensioner needs:
O-ring
Gasket
Boot/rubber end cover – looks like a hollow half doughnut
Boot Clamp
Mobil 1 synthetic 75w90 weight gear oil
Optional Parts & Supplies:
Front Seals: Main, Oil Pump
Clutch (pulley driven) Fan Bearings
Silicon Fan Clutch Fluid – from Toyota - Thickest part number version is 08816-10001, and recommended by Wally Plumley.

Timing Belt Tension Check:
You will need the belt tension tool to check tension after approximately 1,500 miles and 10-15k mile intervals afterwards. Remove the passenger side timing belt cover (at the cam gear, remove distributor first), and check the tension. Timing belt and/or water pump failure is common after 60k miles on the 928. Take belt tension very seriously. That is the Achilles heel.

Useful Manuals:
The Parts and Technical Reference Catalog is a great source of diagrams, part numbers, etc. However, There is a PET CD available on ebay for about $15 that contains more diagrams and data. The version 5 seems to be current. It just excludes some of the technical bulletins. The factory manuals provide procedures that are very helpful. Factory manuals are available on microfiche for about $30. Prices are for year 2002. Owner’s manual is a must. The Clinton manual does not help much. Most of the above are available from the big 3.

Optional Work:
While you have the pulley driven fan off, you may want to replenish the silicon with Toyota supplied fan clutch fluid. You may also wish to replace the front main seal, and the oil pump seal while they are relatively exposed. Those seals are tough to change. May replace the Clutch Fan Bearings. Polish distributor cap and rotor contacts with a fine file.

Detailed Procedure & Photo Links:
Greg Nichols’ page has troubleshooting procedures for the timing belt light and more at:
<a href="http://www.nichols.nu/tips.htm" target="_blank">http://www.nichols.nu/tips.htm</a>
Tony’s page has pictures and procedures:
<a href="http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/index.htm" target="_blank">http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/index.htm</a>
John Pirtle’s site goes into great detail, with awesome pictures:
<a href="http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/svc.html" target="_blank">http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/svc.html</a>
Link to Adobe Acrobat Reader document that has numerous service procedures. Download or open it here:
<a href="http://www.jageng.com/sharkbit_2.htm" target="_blank">http://www.jageng.com/sharkbit_2.htm</a>
Another site with written procedures:
<a href="http://www.kondratyev.com/porsche/" target="_blank">http://www.kondratyev.com/porsche/</a>

HTH,
Good luck,
Thom Ross
& The Great Dark Blue, nickname: Tiger
1986.5 928 S3, 4 Speed Auto

Note: Some of Jay’s data follows:

Here is a general list of items needed to replace the Tbelt...
Item No. Price
Timing Belt* 1 $44.00
Flywheel Locking Tool 1 $16.00
Thermostat 1 $25.00
Thermostat O-ring 1 -
Tensioner Boot* 1 $6.00
Tensioner Boot Clamp* 1 $5.50
Tensioner Gasket* 1 $12.00
Tensioner Inner Seal* 2
Tensioner Large Roller* 1 $55.00
Tensioner Idler Bushing*1 $1.70
Water Pump* 1 $119.00
Water Pump Gasket* 1 $1.65
Belt Tension Tool 1 $59.00
Accessory Belts 3
--------------------
Jay
'87 S4 Auto
CYOUL8R


<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

jschfld

Great info thanks.. have a question::

Just purchased a 944s2 and the timing belt was dont about a month ago... THe seller said I need to go get it adjusted after about 300miles. Are there any links to do this myself. New to the 944.. How much is this to get done.. tks

Avar928

This is an old thread for a Porsche 928, not a 944. Costs may differ. There should be tons of DIY guides on the 944 forum.

OTR18WHEELER

11 years, geesh, ^noob using search. I like those prices though. I was gonna say I think the shop will charge about 9hr labor for a TB/WP, but they will not likely do any extra cleaning while they're in there.

Mongo

Damn I think I was still a 928 virgin when I started this thread back in '02. All that ****'s over with now thank God.

OTR18WHEELER

so.. what did it cost you in '02?

syoo8

$119 for a water pump? Then, I looked at the posting date...

Avar928

If only...I dread the next time I have to change mine. Won't be for a long time but all that means is inflation.

snoz

Hell, I'll take three of them at that price if any of our gracious suppliers feel like throwing a retro special?