mikew968

My 968 had the belts changed in 10/07 at about 96,xxx miles. It now has 104,xxx miles but over 8 years. When should I replace the belts. Maybe a large issue is the WP has never been changed at least from the records I have. It is starting to run hot and is at the 3/4 mark when idling with all the fans running. Thoughts?

Thanks,

touareg

I think the books never official recognized the new recommended intervals, I thought every 35k or 3 - 4 years, whichever first, but either way my point is you should do it now.

I think people recommend do the water pump too every change. Oil leaks are just as important to fix, as they can leak on the belts and damage the rubber.

Most stories on the 968 I have read are another belt breaking and taking out a few teeth.

If you have to ask about it, probably time to change I only have about 10k since the last belt change, I plan to do it in the spring, as it has been about 4 years now.

Cloud9...68

Given their age, I would replace the belts. But as far as the water pump, I disagree that it should be replaced at every belt change - that's overkill. Before assuming your hot running problem is caused by a failing pump, I would pressurize the system after removing the belts (so you can get a clear look at the pump) and see if it is leaking. Now, having said that, if you really can't identify a record of it ever having been changed, I would probably replaced it anyway, but I defintiely wouldn't do it at every future belt change. But this raises the impossible-to-answer-definitively question of whether you should go with a new pump ($$$$), or a remanufactured one. I went with a remanufactured one (after stupidly replacing one that in hindsight was perfectly fine), and it's worked flawlessly for over six years, and I track my car heavily. Good luck.

RajDatta

Belts can go 5yrs plus if they are oem. I would do belts, wp as well as cam chain and tensioner pads if they haven't been.

mikew968

I have always had a indie to the belt/wp changes on my 94 968 race car. Is it a DIY job or let the pro take care of it?

RajDatta

Definitely a DIY. Need to have the tool to tension the BS belt. Has your cam chain or tensioner pads been replaced? That is quite a bit more involved.

PorscheG96

The biggest hurdle to DIY belt change on 968 is the need for several niche tools, including:

Flywheel lock
Hydraulic tensioner compressor [or just force it out]
Hydraulic tensioner pin [or thin nail or pin]
Balance shaft belt tensioning tool
24mm crank pulley socket
Torque wrench capable of 150 ft-lbs
Belt roller counter-hold wrench
Metric feeler gauges
Snap ring pliers
Thread lock or new nuts for the chrome belt guide

Grandpa#3

Belt change at 30k miles or 3 years which ever comes first. Reason is the belts are cheap compared to one breaking and taking out some valves. The water pump is changed out as needed or every other belt job. Zim's has about the best rebuilt water pumps. The 968 has two different flywheel locks, one for the clutch and one for the tiptronic.

Cheers,
Larry

RajDatta

Larry, where are you getting the 3 yrs for the belts change? I have always seen 4 yrs/45k miles at a minimum for 968's, which I feel can be safely stretched by a yr.
Waterpumps on 968's are 100k item. They are not as prone to failure as 944 parts.

touareg

See that is the problem I have, I had so many 944/951s in the past I meld the knowledge together

ramius665

I recently purchased a rebuilt water pump kit from my local dealership for ~$175. I was very pleasantly surprised to find the kit came with a new block off plate, all new hardware and a new thermostat (83C) as well. The only part I had to reused from my previous water pump was the circlip for the thermostat. I would also have had to pay $67 for a water pump core but I had already removed my old one and brought it with me to ensure I got the 3L waterpump and not a 2.5L by mistake. I'm exceptionally happy with the quality and the parts still carry Porsche's 2 year warranty on parts, even though the pump is rebuilt. And it is MUCH higher quality than the rebuilt pumps I've seen from various aftermarket parts suppliers out there.

For reference, the PN was 944 106 921 AX - 3L Water Pump kit - $170.63

Also, FCP Euro has a sale ending today of a timing belt kit with both belts and all of the tensioners/rollers for $269. They've got a $10 coupon code as well so I paid $266/shipped.

Jay Wellwood

Does anyone know what impact the new style Kevlar belts have on replacement periodicity?

FCPEuro

I tried looking through alldata to see if there is a Porsche recommended replacement interval for the belt from factory on this model, but could not find a actual mileage or age recommendation that was definitive. I can say for sure that depending on the manufacturer of a replacement belt there will be variances on how long you can run the belt for. Typically Continental belts (like the one ramius665 mentioned in my kit and I linked below) are rated around 65K but some are rated for as high as 100.

968 Timing belt Kit

The Kevlar belts are some such that can go for far longer, some of the Gates racing Kevlar belts are reaching 100K with ease. But I personally would not wait that long for the repair and replacement of the belts or idlers. And personally, though the Gates belts are great, Kevlar belts are a bit chattery and noisy, at least in my experience and from what customer feedback I have gotten on them in the past.

Now we purposely do not include the water pump in this kit, because as it has been already mentioned, you do not have to replace it every time. But it is important to check it before starting your work by pressuring the system to confirm there is no leakage. And properly inspect other components in the cooling system as well.

V2Rocket

+10 points for FCP Euro...fantastic pricing and quick shipping.

jeff968

I only put about 2K miles on my cars per year depending on the location of the Parade. I go 5 years between belt changes. I get my OEM belts from Sunset. I do rollers ever other belt change. waterpumps are not an issue with 968s so I have yet to do one.