awilli6

If your light comes on, does this automatically mean your belt has slipped and caused pistons to hit? What are the signs that the pistons have hit?

Driving today and light came on. About 3 miles from home, car ran normal.

If the above is true, they shouldn't call it a warning light. Hopefully all I need to do is change the belt and all the other stuff.

SeanR

It is a warning that the belt is loose and you should either check it very soon or take it to someone who can check it. Not a warning you want to leave for any amount of time.

WallyP

The owner of a 32-valve 928 really needs to own, and know how to use, a belt tension gauge. The Kempf gauge works well, and is reasonably priced. If you have the gauge, it is an afternoon's job to inspect the belt and the belt system, and check/adjust the tension.

The tension warning system does sometimes give false warnings - but you had better proceed on the assumption that the warning is real.

If the belt needs tensioning more than once, you must find out why it is losing tension - failures are very ugly and expensive.

Avar928

What year and model is it?

Like the others said, if the belt tension light flipped on that means it needs re-tensioning. Could also be the stock tensioner is out of oil too I believe. If the belt slipped and valves bent, you would know very well. I believe someone had the same thing happen to them just moments from the house and the car died.

Take note that the warning light has a 3-minute delay when you turn off and back on the car. If it still requires tensioning, the light should flip back on after 3mins when the car is turned on again.

awilli6

Sorry guys! Forgot the rules. It's an 87S4

Hilton

It works well as a warning - the problem is many drivers who don't take it seriously enough.

You got it home in one piece - now don't run it again until you've checked the belt path. I.e. check that there are no missing rubber teeth, and that the water pump turns and isn't showing signs of leaking, and both cam pulleys turn too - all when using a socket on the front of the crank), and of course checked the belt tension with the tool.

If its more than a thousand miles on the timing belt, its time for a full TBWP tear-down, as once broken in, the belts don't stretch any more (until they're failing), where you inspect all the bits, and replace the belt and bushings with new.

RKD in OKC

I can tell you from experience. if it goes off on high speed deceleration, the belt tension is fine, and the sensor is fine, take off the cam gears and check the ends of the cam shaft/keyway and alignment hub for wear!!

awilli6

I have an automatic. I was downshifting to second coming off one expressway and merging onto another. So RPMs were high but within range.

Landseer

32V will definitely will throw the warning with heavy accel if it's loose for some reason.

Probably best to dig-in now, the valve crash situation is not one you drive home wondering about if it happened or not.

I've had two cars needing multiple retensionings. They have a Conti-brand belt, rumored to have more stretch. One was installed in 2008 and has 40K miles. The other in 2009 and has 25K miles. Both had the full service, the right washer on the tensioner warning trigger, etc. The latter example has been throwing the warning again all week under moderate to heavy accel. Both cars are now parked to be stripped and reviewed. Gates belts sitting on workbench. Might need more parts, too, will be interesting to see. Will also take inventory of the oil level in the tensioners. Both have been rebuilt properly and checked occasionally, but not checked since last year.