Bradster928

I have a 1983 5-speed with 59K on the clock. The timing belt and water pump were replaced by the dealer in 1991 at 31K. I currently have quotes of about $3,000 to replace the timing belt and water pump.

A couple of thoughts come to mind. I understand that my 16V engine cannot be damaged by a timing belt failure as it is a non-interference engine. So, if I have the timing belt inspected and it looks OK, should I go to say 90K, or a water pump failure, before replacing the belt?

I know that some of you would suggest doing it myself, but I know my limitations and I am not comfortable with that job. But does it really take 19 hours as suggested by the book labor guidelines? That would mean it is a two-day-plus job for an experienced tech who does this everyday.

Thoughts/advice?

Thanks!

Bradster928

blown 87

It really depends on what has to be done, at best a quote on a 30 year old car is a guess at best.
Find a mechanic you trust, and trust what he says.

linderpat

for me a whole weekend. For an experienced mechanic, about 8 hours tops. Go somewhere else.

Lizard928

Just to pull the old off and restring 5 min.
It's removing all the other stuff and putting it back together that takes so long!

Dean_Fuller

Where are you located???

I've done it twice and 19 hours is too much time unless every other water pump bolt is seized.

Ethre

You probably don't want to wait until water pump failure - that could have some bad results.

SeanR

Give us your location and we can suggest a good wrench to help you out. I always quote 8-10 hours and if everything goes smoothly, charge accordingly. There is also the possibility that bolts break, find other stuff that is bad and the price/time goes up.

Barry Chan

it took my mechanic less than 8 hours to replace my timing belt, water pump, thermostat, crank seal and all the belts ( including a broken bolt that he was struggling with for 1/2 and hour ) and still have time to work on other cars while waiting for parts because i was there the whole time and he's not even a Porsche mechanic, just 35 years experience so go somewhere else and get a few quotes.

Bradster928

I am located in central Virginia. Just to be clear, as my mechanic would never charge me for more time than used, he was just quoting from the book, which appears to suggest that 19 hours is what Porsche allots for the timing belt change. That just seemed to me to be extraodinary. It sounds like if all goes well it might take half that amount of time.

Thanks again!

Bradster928

docmirror

Host a TB/WP party. Lots of beer, brats, ribs on a decently sunny day and invite all your new-found 928 buddies over. Have ALL the parts ready and more than likely by the time the sun goes down, it'll be done, and done.

Call Roger at 928sRUS, he will fix you right up with materials and then print out the instructions found here using search and have at it.

puyi

With a friend of mine, we are able to change timing belt and water pump in 5 Hours.
The stuffs was :
TB
Water pump
Tensionner

The car was in a very good condition so we did not have to wash everything etc.... We did not have to change any seal as well. So the work was pretty clear and was a no surprise job.
$3000 is a very high budget for that job. It cost me about $700 with rebuild water pump and all the other stuffs from Porsche.
8 hours @ $100 and it cost half the budget you considered.

Best

Puyi

brutus

Your belt and water pump will probably work just fine for a few more years and thousands of miles. Mark Anderson just wrote about driving one as old as yours with the ORIGINAL belt and pump ! If you want to be belt safe maybe just do the belt which is an easy 2-3 hour job for a novice and eliminates the concern about it stopping running by jumping time.
And there is no risk of any valve damage if it did.

S4ordie

The timing belt is 21 years old, the waterpump original at 29 years old. I suspect fuel lines, power steering lines, etc. are of similar vintage. I would not be driving that car until all of those things had been addressed.

Because of the lengthy time interval since the last time the TB was changed, I'd suspect the previous owner was not one to stay on top of regular maintenance, like regular fluid changes.

Jadz928

You could learn alot from doing just a preliminary inspection, and see how things look in there.
Check timing belt and tension, fill tensioner and check for leaks, inspect cam gear. check WP for leaks.

This could be done in short time, and may be something I could help you with.

blown 87

I would listen to Dan, he gives some very good advice there.