Porsche5050

I just got my 89 S4 last week with 150,000 miles on it. The last time the tbelt was done was 7/97 with 120,000 miles on the car. The H2O pump was done at the same time. Basically I'm looking at 30,000 miles and 6 years. If I drive it another year am I really pushing it? If it harder/easier to do than the t-belt on the 951? What have your experiences been? How long have you gone? I know for me the miles isn't bad, but will the time factor really matter?

Thanks.

ErnestSw

The recommendation is 30K, 45K, or 60K, depending on whom you trust, BUT the recommendation is ALWAYS 5 years. That's why I did mine with only 16K.

WallyP

Age and heat are probably worse enemies of rubber and fabric than are the miles.

I would be uncomfortable with more than five years on the belt. The tensioner must be rebuilt when you change the belt.

Porsche5050

Is that for the timing belt or timing belt AND H2O pump? Well, I've basically decided I have to get this done! I'll begin reading up on it as much as I can and do the work myself. Can't really afford to pay and have someone do it right now. Also, I'd rather tackle it myself anyways.

Thanks.

Steve J.

Tariq - It is recommended that the water pump be replaced when replacing the belt. The idea being that the tension of a new belt could cause an old water pump to fail.
When I got my '87S4 2 yrs. ago (no records, history unknown) the water pump and bolts looked brand new and very clean compared to the rest of the engine. The edges of the timing belt looked square and unfrayed, the tension was right on, the back of the belt had a dull matte look, and you could still see the lettering ink on the belt. The white lettering on the belt wore off after about 10K mi. so I'm assuming the belt and water pump had been replaced within ~10K mi. before I bought the car. I have put 25K mi. on, so I am planning on a water pump, timing belt replacement and tensioner rebuild in the next 10K mi. On the other hand, my '78 OB had a new belt and tensioner rebuild 10K mi. ago but the belt is completely oil soaked from various oil leaks. I'm fixing the oil leaks and will be replacing water pump and belt very soon, but I have a lot more peace of mind with the OB, as it is a non-interference engine.

Big Dave

If you don't change the water pump every time you replace the belt, the pump may fail you between scheduled TB changes, forcing you to do the whole project again. That's what happened to me when the PO didn't replace the pump. The pump failed with only 30K miles and 3yrs on the belt.

V-Fib

IMHO, Anytime you buy a 928, and it didn't come from a friend who YOU helped do the job, then it's an unknown. The timing belt, tensioner and water pump should be serviced. I don't care how many reciepts the PO shoves at you (like mine did). It doesn't mean it was done properly (mine was a hack job). You'll sleep better and get to know your Shark on a more intimate basis. Good luck with your Shark, it's only just broke in.



Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic

Porsche5050

My receipts actually showed just this. The previous owner had the Tbelts changed at 118,000 and then there's a later receipt for 121,000 miles with an H2O pump replacement. Looks like he was trying to save a couple of bucks. He ofcourse ended up paying MUCH more in labor. Thanks for the tips. I'm going to really go over how much money I have to see if I can gather some money for atleast the parts and tackle this project. I really didn't want to ask this question because I was afraid of the answer but I'm glad I heard it. I love this car and want to keep it in as good shape as I can. Valves, cylinder heads, and all.

Normy

I don't know how many miles are on my water pump. I bought the car four years ago, and have put 46K miles on it....the timing belt has 40k right now, and will be changed next month. Along with the water pump.

I have an interference engine, I don't want to see 45K with the same belt.

I'm a technical person- type rated in two Boeing jets, and I have changed my radiator, my motor mounts, my steering rack, and done numerous other minor mechanical tasks on my car.....myself, without ANY formal automotive training at all. YET...I will not do my belt/water pump myself. I'm certain that I'm capable, but I still want an experienced mechanic to perform that particular job, since any sort of incorrect adjustment on the belt can lead to either a failure or a belt skip...which means on my engine [M28-21] bent valves. And perhaps a repair bill that rivals the cost of the car to begin with!

From what I can see, the most important thing is that the belt be adjusted correctly, and that the belt tensioner apply the correct tension through the life of the belt itself. Thus, the tensioner needs to be new, along with the idler pully. Make sure these get changed, and changed correctly!

Good luck-

Normy!
'85 S2 5 Speed

Normy!
'85 S2 5 Speed