toyhawker

I bought an 87 944 non-turbo 3 weeks ago and very quickly, had timing belt failure as well as tensioner failure. The mechanic who looked at it tells me he doesn't think there is any internal damage. He only took the front apart, nothing more.
My question - Is it possible for one of the belts to fail without damaging the engine or am I definitely looking at major engine repair?

I appreciate any help

931guru

You may be lucky, but 99 percent chance that you have bent valves.

Major, minor, get used to it... these are not cheap cars to repair. Cheap to maintain, but not to repair.

L8_apex

Lots of threads on here have discussed this painful topic. As the 944 is an interference engine (valves enter the piston stroke space when open) - it is virtually impossible to have a timing belt failure without bent valves - or worse. If the engine was under load at the time of the failure - this is another factor that will lead to more damage. One gut reaction - if your mechanic just looked at the front end (belt and roller area) and did not anticipate further damage here - he likely is not experiened with this engine.

adrian_jaye

i thought that the 8 valve engines faired better than the 16 valvers though?
could be wrong

rickb20

Looks like you learned the hard way what every person who purchases a 944 should already know - change those belts ASAP (do not drive) unless records indicate they were recently done. Probably too late now.

caster951

I have a NA head available in good shape I will let go reasonably if you want it. You can swap it and be back in business.

951jamie

If your mechanic did not remove the head after timing belt failure it's time for a new mechanic!

jamie@944online.com

toyhawker

Yep, I learn fast but usually the hard way... My first Porsche. Had no idea about those belts. This happened while I was nearly at a stop sign. Automatic trans so no engine braking involved.

Finally got around to tearing it down. After removing the cam tower there was no mistaking the 3 valves sitting lower than the rest. Pulled the head. Pistons look ok from on top except for some little gouging at the valve pockets.

I read somewhere (probab'ly here) that the wrist pin journals should be inspected for cracks. Any experience or input on that?

BTW, thanks guys, for taking it easy on me after a dumb blunder like that.

ryan@usaimage.com

8 valve engines fair better than 16 valve engines because you only bend half as many valves !