Distributor Belt Replacement DIY
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From: Williamsport, MD
Distributor Belt Replacement DIY
Hi everybody.
To accompany my 964 valve adjustment DIY, I finally finished up a distributor belt replacement DIY. Long story short... my new-to-me 993 had a broken belt and I opted to go at it myself rather than send off to Rennsport. (Sorry Steve, curiosity got the best of me.
)
Anyway, I took some pics and documented the process just in case anyone else is foolish enough to tackle this on their own - or at least curious as to what it takes. While I fully recommend everyone (with some free time) do their own valve adjustment, this one is probably not worth it for most. That's where Rennsport comes in and the price per frustration ratio is well on the side of favoring sending it off.
By the way, an FYI on the dual distributor woes. Since I had this broken belt on a 72000 mile '95 993 that had a vent kit installed its entire life - don't think for a minute that your belt is infallible just because it is properly vented. It is still a little belt spinning around in there for a long, long, long time. Also, as a former 964 owner, you might actually enjoy hearing about 993's sharing some of your 964 "problems." I hated people blacklisting 964's because they had a couple faults. Well - apparently they all do.
So - read, enjoy, and please send me comments or critiques or corrections as needed. Thanks everyone.
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/serverdude911/Porsche/index.htm" target="_blank">My web site - click on the DIY Instructions Icon.</a>
To accompany my 964 valve adjustment DIY, I finally finished up a distributor belt replacement DIY. Long story short... my new-to-me 993 had a broken belt and I opted to go at it myself rather than send off to Rennsport. (Sorry Steve, curiosity got the best of me.
)Anyway, I took some pics and documented the process just in case anyone else is foolish enough to tackle this on their own - or at least curious as to what it takes. While I fully recommend everyone (with some free time) do their own valve adjustment, this one is probably not worth it for most. That's where Rennsport comes in and the price per frustration ratio is well on the side of favoring sending it off.
By the way, an FYI on the dual distributor woes. Since I had this broken belt on a 72000 mile '95 993 that had a vent kit installed its entire life - don't think for a minute that your belt is infallible just because it is properly vented. It is still a little belt spinning around in there for a long, long, long time. Also, as a former 964 owner, you might actually enjoy hearing about 993's sharing some of your 964 "problems." I hated people blacklisting 964's because they had a couple faults. Well - apparently they all do.
So - read, enjoy, and please send me comments or critiques or corrections as needed. Thanks everyone.
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/serverdude911/Porsche/index.htm" target="_blank">My web site - click on the DIY Instructions Icon.</a>
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 1
From: London (England)
Brian,
Nice to hear that the 993s are just 'human' as well after all!
My 964 has about 60k miles and, a few months ago, I decided it would be a wise idea to replace the dizzy belt. I think on my car (93 German model year) it must have had the vent kit installed either from the factory or very early on. I asked the shop to save the belt for me to inspect, and it was almmost like new, so much so that one could probably keep it as a spare. I also know it had not been replaced in the past.
In the end I almost felt like it was a waste of money, but as they say, better safe than sorry!
I too had thought of changing the belt myself, but heard it was a pain of a job, so in the end I had the mechanic do it. Sounds like I did the right thing.
Nice to hear that the 993s are just 'human' as well after all!
My 964 has about 60k miles and, a few months ago, I decided it would be a wise idea to replace the dizzy belt. I think on my car (93 German model year) it must have had the vent kit installed either from the factory or very early on. I asked the shop to save the belt for me to inspect, and it was almmost like new, so much so that one could probably keep it as a spare. I also know it had not been replaced in the past.
In the end I almost felt like it was a waste of money, but as they say, better safe than sorry!
I too had thought of changing the belt myself, but heard it was a pain of a job, so in the end I had the mechanic do it. Sounds like I did the right thing.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 531
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From: Seattle
Brian,
Thanks for the distributor belt writeup! I've already put your valve adjust writeup to good use, it was very helpful.
I am astonished that the Factory Manual (Vols 1-7 for the 964) does not even MENTION the distributor belt (or the distributors), much less include an exploded parts diagram. Last night I went through every single page of vol 1 (engine, including ignition) and also vols 6, 7 (electrical accessories, wiring diagrams)and found nothing. Zip. Nada. <img src="graemlins/oops.gif" border="0" alt="[oops]" />
PS re valve adjustment, the Factory Manual lists removal of the two horizontal engine bay shields between the cylinder heads and the sides of the engine bay so the intake valves can be adjusted from underneath the car. Did you ever try this? Might allow easier access to the #6 intake valve. I've not tried it.
Thanks for the distributor belt writeup! I've already put your valve adjust writeup to good use, it was very helpful.
I am astonished that the Factory Manual (Vols 1-7 for the 964) does not even MENTION the distributor belt (or the distributors), much less include an exploded parts diagram. Last night I went through every single page of vol 1 (engine, including ignition) and also vols 6, 7 (electrical accessories, wiring diagrams)and found nothing. Zip. Nada. <img src="graemlins/oops.gif" border="0" alt="[oops]" />
PS re valve adjustment, the Factory Manual lists removal of the two horizontal engine bay shields between the cylinder heads and the sides of the engine bay so the intake valves can be adjusted from underneath the car. Did you ever try this? Might allow easier access to the #6 intake valve. I've not tried it.
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From: Williamsport, MD
First update: I've changed web providers due to the pitifully low usage Yahoo allows, so the new address is:
<a href="http://www.brianandkrista.net/porsche" target="_blank">www.brianandkrista.net/porsche</a>
Yes - the 993's are human. Replace the potentially disastrous 964 flywheel problem with a wiring harness that might incinerate your car. Use the same distributor. Fix 10 quirks from the 964 and create 10 totally new ones. But that's why we love em all right?
Regarding parts for the distributor. I had a bad bearing on one of the shafts. I went to the Porsche dealer and the guy even turned the monitor around to show me that the ONLY part they list for the distributor is ... the distributor. So even Porsche doesn't have a blow-up diagram.
For removing the shields for upper access to the valves - no I haven't tried it yet, but will need to do so on the 993 because the #4, #5, #6 upper and #4 lower spark plugs are inaccessible from above completely. I'll let you know how it works.
<a href="http://www.brianandkrista.net/porsche" target="_blank">www.brianandkrista.net/porsche</a>
Yes - the 993's are human. Replace the potentially disastrous 964 flywheel problem with a wiring harness that might incinerate your car. Use the same distributor. Fix 10 quirks from the 964 and create 10 totally new ones. But that's why we love em all right?
Regarding parts for the distributor. I had a bad bearing on one of the shafts. I went to the Porsche dealer and the guy even turned the monitor around to show me that the ONLY part they list for the distributor is ... the distributor. So even Porsche doesn't have a blow-up diagram.
For removing the shields for upper access to the valves - no I haven't tried it yet, but will need to do so on the 993 because the #4, #5, #6 upper and #4 lower spark plugs are inaccessible from above completely. I'll let you know how it works.
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From: Williamsport, MD
Um... achem.
I... uh... haven't replaced it yet. It was basically seized up and the grease had completely dried out and "gunkified." after popping the bearing out I cleaned it, honed it down with a dremmel, steel wooled everything, made sure all the rust was off, and re-packed it with grease to within an inch of its life. (It was worth a shot anyway.) Much to my delight, when reinstalled. that thing turned like butter, so I'm just holding out for now and will remove and reinspect later on.
If anyone knows of such a source... that would probably be pretty good too as the only other option is to replace hte entire distributor.
I... uh... haven't replaced it yet. It was basically seized up and the grease had completely dried out and "gunkified." after popping the bearing out I cleaned it, honed it down with a dremmel, steel wooled everything, made sure all the rust was off, and re-packed it with grease to within an inch of its life. (It was worth a shot anyway.) Much to my delight, when reinstalled. that thing turned like butter, so I'm just holding out for now and will remove and reinspect later on.
If anyone knows of such a source... that would probably be pretty good too as the only other option is to replace hte entire distributor.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 189
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From: Olympia, Washington
Just got my C4 back from the mechanic for my 45k service. I asked him to replace the distributor belt and add the vent kit. I even downloaded the instructions from <a href="http://www.porsche964.co.uk/technical/distr_vent_kit.htm" target="_blank">http://www.porsche964.co.uk/technical/distr_vent_kit.htm</a> and gave it to him.
Surprisingly, he said my belt was fine at 45k. No deterioration and good supple feel. He did add the vent kit as a precaution. His comment was that the process was a bugger and he didn't want to perform the work unless needed. He will keep an eye on it every 15k for me.
Just my two-bits...
Surprisingly, he said my belt was fine at 45k. No deterioration and good supple feel. He did add the vent kit as a precaution. His comment was that the process was a bugger and he didn't want to perform the work unless needed. He will keep an eye on it every 15k for me.
Just my two-bits...
