mj1pate

I've used Ken's lift bars to great satisfaction and I see some satisfying reports on the Porkensioner. Have users employed the tensioner for any mileage duration that might indicate how it holds up to extended usage? Can any users Including Ken) report on their experience over 5k + miles ?

Lizard928

I have alot of miles on all of mine,

Plus if I havent managed to break it, you wont be able to

I say that as one of my cars revved extremely freely, always saw very hard agressive driving and has no issues.

puyi

for my knowledge, What is the decisive point to adopt ken's tensionners. Is there a worry about original from Porsche?

Puyi

puyi

for my knowledge, What is the decisive point to adopt ken's tensionners. Is there a worry about original from Porsche?

Puyi

hacker-pschorr

I agree it's an excellent product. I am worried about one aspect of it. I've seen people make comments like "belt tensioner for life" - that is not true.

The Audi's that come with these tensioners are replaced with every timing belt change. It is a wear item and needs to be replaced just like anything else in the timing belt system. My friends import repair shop has worked on a couple of Audi's towed in with broken timing belts due to the tensior failing. Looking through the records, belts were changed while the tensioner was not.

Lizard928

Erik,
You make a good point,
At every belt change you should replace the hydraulic piston and roller. As well as inspect the pivot arm and ensure it moves freely.

dprantl

Hmm, that must have been a defective tensioner unit. These oil-filled tensioners are sealed and unless the oil somehow leaks out (and therefore the seal is broken), they last at the very least 100k miles. They are also protected from the elements by timing belt covers. My wife's 968 has 150k miles on it. When I did the timing belt at 110k I inspected it and it was fine. I suppose if hot coolant is flowing over it from a water pump leak that may cause it to fail, but otherwise I would not worry about it.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

hacker-pschorr

That would be a find theory if I said "only one Audi". I said "a couple" which is an under-exaggeration.

"They last at the very least 100k miles" so do timing belts on Honda's. You will not see me going that long with my 928.

the flyin' scotsman

Any mechanical device has a life expectancy so while I assume the Porkensioner will easilly outlast the OEM tensioner it shall require maintenance eventually.

The roller has a bearing and the tensioner has seal(s) and oil...........when is the critical question and if a belt lasts 60k miles thats sounds damn good to me.

blown 87

I have seen many of these types of tensioners go out and at as little as 60,000 miles, some with less (think Volvo)
I always replace them when we do a timing belt here, even if they check out good in the vise.
If you can move the piston with your thumb, they are done.

Dave H.

yeah, 40k miles is nowhere near the life of these parts. we changed the piston and roller every other t-belt - 80k miles. seen many cars with the originals still there at 120k, but that's getting iffy. i'd do it every 80k...

Larry928GTS

Some parts supply places only list the timing belts along with those tensioners, the roller, and the lever if applicable on the particular model of Audi or VW all together, as a "timing belt kit".

Apparently some cars don't use the lever, and the tensioner pushes directly on part of the roller component. Any reason that the 928 setup couldn't be done that way to eliminate the lever. If possible, it seems like that would reduce cost, and also eliminate a moving part that could potentially fail at some point.

dprantl

I'm not sure there is any other way. There must be some kind of lever or "arm" or piece between the pulley and the tensioner since the pulley rotates. The 968 has a pretty huge arm that the tensioning pulley attaches to:

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/eng-10.htm

Nobody ever replaces the arm because it is pretty stout and is not a wear item.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

mark kibort

Has anyone ever raced on the track with one? Is the tension keeped constant like the stock tensioner, or is there a potential for some "give" with the belts with quck blips or high rpm?
It looks like a good idea, but so does the stock system for which I have some pretty good luck running with. Im just worried about the pivot point braking off the water pump. (I have the old '84 type style with the pivot bolt)

IcemanG17

Dennis has one on his screamer motor......