Avar928

This is for an early '86 32V Auto.

So I'm about to do the driver side cam cover refresh this weekend after I get some hondabond from the local Honda dealership (yes, I will be careful with the bolts and going to take my time not to break any hoping), and my next job will be the timing belt and water pump which was last changed (cover your eyes if you don't want to look) at 100k miles 20 years ago So fast forward 56,000 miles later, I seriously need to change it...I'm over the mileage and way well-over the age.

Part of me wants to take it back to my mechanic to do but I know I'll end up paying over $2,500 for it, closer to $4k if I need the cam gears too. Too bad I can't just buy the parts and have him do the labor because he'll of course charge me more labor to make up for the cost. Part of me wants to do it myself where I'll be able to get my hands dirty and keep the savings for all the other repairs and maintenance.

I've read the manuals and write ups here, image trained it in my head, but the job scares the hell out of me.

What's the best way to do a job like this for a newbie? That is I mean, recruit some help from fellow listers? Hold a "TP/WP party"? Or just suck it up like a man and just do it. I live in MD but wished I lived in CA or TX where everyone else seems to live o.o I guess I'm looking for confidence boosters here.

The last time I replaced a belt was the Serpentine on an '95 Altima. Started it right up and the belt snapped. Water pump had seized....forever traumatized me about belts and I know a screw up with the interference engine of the 32V 928 is a death note.

Andre Hedrick

Been there and can relate, and using a PorKen kit will make life so much easier.
Take your time, I did mine over three (3) weekends and she started first turn perfectly and ever since. Ask questions too when you are unsure and post pictures of your status. If you were not scared it would be unnatural for your first go.

Avar928

If I do it myself, I'll be getting the PKTensioner (for the black edition chips, just in case ) and cam timing tool too.

I'm pretty sure I'll have to do it in a single weekend as there are constraints with garage space.

SeanR

Don't get yourself all worked up over it.

It's a big job on the 928, no question.

But: there are a few guides for you to follow, the workshop manual has all the information you will need. The important thing is you follow and REPLACE all parts that you should.

Do NOT cheap out and get some "rebuilt" water pump, do NOT get a belt that is not Porsche or Gates.
Buy a the updated Laso pump, I noticed one of our 'vendors' was selling a "rebuilt Laso". Bull****. Laso did not rebuild it but that Laso stamp will be on it. Good luck.


If you want the most updated belt tension system available for our cars, you will get the Porken tensioner from 928sRus.com

(actually, get all your parts from 928sRus.com, call Roger, he will save you bucks and you will get the right stuff)

Avar928

Oh, yea I'm getting my parts from Roger! Gates belt and new Laso pump with gasket for sure, probably cam gears too. It was his calm words of advice that got my fears over the valve cover job (though I haven't even done it yet...).

+edit

I have no qualms doing motor mounts and the x-pipe and stuff like that because it's not necessarily something that might kill your baby if you do it wrong when you start her up to check if you did it right.

Imo000

That's why you turn it over by had a few times and make sure nothing is interfering.
For you, the best would be to follow Dwayne's write up. It's for an S4 but the early 32V are 95% the same thing. The only main difference is the fan and some electrical connectors (nothing to do with the timing belt). They timing belt protion of his write up will be the same. Once the top belt covers are off, check the cam gears before ordering. Take your time and take it easy.

jon928se

Whereabouts are you - chances are someone close by can assist in return for pizza and beer. It happens - more often than you might think.

I'ld also research the possibilities of getting longer than a weekend garage space just in case something doesn't go according to plan. That said it's entirely possible to do it in a day if no bolts break, and you have all the tools and parts that you need.

NoVector

I say jump in and do it. Just anticipate that some things may happen—like snapping off the head of a water pump bolt, an oil pump seal may need replaced, etc. No biggies, but it does add time (and a little more money). I’m kind of into the 2-weekend approach. Take it apart one weekend to see what I need; order the parts; clean, clean, clean; and put it back together the following weekend. And I take lots of pictures.

There are so many excellent write-ups on the web now; not to mention videos and the WSMs. I.e., Dewayne write-ups are step-by-step with pictures and correct torque settings, the Jim Morehouse CD video, etc. Pre-reading through the write-ups will also help you assess if you have all the tools you’ll need—like the flywheel lock.

JDY928

Hi,

Get the write-ups (including Dwayne's) and the WSM out with you, take your time, ask or post questions on Rennlist if you get stuck, and don't try to finish it if it is just not happening! If you can get someone to help, then so much the better. I did it with the write-ups, and the help from Hilton and Jon from two posts above.

Regards,

Jed in Aus
83S Kiln Red

Landseer

You are in DC area, right?
There's a core group in NOVA and MD that you should connect with.

namasgt

Take the spark plugs out.

M. Requin

What you really need is the "Timing Belt Manual for the 85/86 32-Valve Porsche 928s" by John Kelly. This is the first thing I did to my 86.5 after opening the hood, because I knew the car had been badly neglected. This manual made it relatively easy, 62 pages of step-by-step r and r. http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...ng+belt+manual

mickster

Yeah but 1 less when you moved away!

Definitely do a beer and pizza TB/WP party if you can. At least 5 928 owners who do their own wrenching within a 100 mile radius of you.

SMTCapeCod

I had the same feeling and benefitted from huge peer-support/involvement.

We ran into a couple unanticipated glitches and it was still completed over in one 24 hr period...not quite the entire 24 hrs...

For those keeping mental track of the general 928 w/p saga...S3, 76K miles, cam gears looked good to me, w/p was on its way out and starting to chafe the w/p housing. Block still perfect. But, that chafe of the impeller on the wp housing was creating some noise that prompted the surgery. The accessory belts are contributing too though, probably from being in one position for a few years when the p/o had the car stored. Did the clutch fan bearings at the same time, it was previously refilled. Otherwise kept the WYAIT list to cleaning, t-stat/o-ring/seal and that's about it.

If you're in DC vicinity I owe some karmic payback and would be happy to try to help, but have only been through the drill once. I think the puzzle of accessory brackets and mounts is about 1/3 of the annoyance and complexity factor...but I'd still recommend having assistance on scene or at least a knowledgeable phone-a-friend lined up.

dcrasta

Dude, we just did Steve's last weekend (I should say I offered an extra set of eyes..)

Maybe you should PM some of the local Bishop of the 928 [cough *Kevin Lacy* cough] and beg them to host a party. I hear Steaks, cat-food, beer and cash are very good trades offerings to the Bishiop [cough *Kevin Lacy* cough].

anyway I sent PM .