Heard a "bonk" behind me on the way home and pulled over to find the attached picture. Looks like the belt in the middle (is that a backup belt?) snapped and then took out the compressor belt (which looks in fine shape). Do I have that right? No check engine light came on.

This is a 96 Carrera

Is it possible to replace these myself? Do I just buy a replacement belt and stretch them into position? Where's the best place to get it? Part #?

Thanks!

 

That is your alternator belt... I would not drive the car until you get it replaced. While changing them yourself is not rocket science it is a PITA... you will need the special alternator tool (its really just a short torx wrench) to hold the alternator shaft while you loosen/remove the nut.... Once off you will see the pulleys are actually pully halves separated by shims... you add/remove shims to change the effective width of the pully... since the belt is tapered (V- belt) a wider pully is looser thiner is tighter.....

So here is the PITA part.. you can only adjust the tension by trial and error (or experience).. you will need to guess how many shims to put in, assemble it all... then try again... and again...

Hope that helps...

update: while you are in there dorking around with belts... replace them all... get them from your local dealer.

 

Here's how to change the belts, including a list of the tools you need:

http://www.pcarworkshop.com/index.php/993_-_Belts

 

Since you are ordering belts, there is a alt pulley update (one piece instead of two, per pulley half) that is beneficial.

Here is the TSB info:

Alternator Pulley Update
December 15th, 2002 · No Comments
Porsche issued a Technical Service Bulletin on the alternator pulleys.

Porsche TSB 993-106-268-01
—————————————-
Alternator - Belt Failure or Belt Noises
911
7/97a
1378
02/05/98
This Bulletin replaces bulletin, Group 1, # 7/97, dated 7-10-97.
New Alternator Pulley and Belt
Vehicle Type:
911 Carrera as of M.Y. 1995 and 911 Turbo as of M.Y. 1996
Model Year:
As of 1995 (S)
Concern:
In case of alternator belt failure or belt noises in conjunction with pulley, part number, 993 106 268 00 (s/s to 993 106 268 01), the alternator belt and pulley must be replaced.
Information:
911 Turbo:
When repairs are necessary, install only the new version belt and pulley halves.
Description Part Number

New belt (1 ea.) 999 192 372 50 (757 mm long)
Pulley halves (2 ea.) 993 106 268 01 (Yellow, chromated color) *
Shim (0.5 mm) 964 106 268 31 (as required)
Shim (0.7 mm) 964 106 268 32 (as required)
* The ratio of 2.68 to 1 remains unchanged.
911 Carrera:
The new version pulleys can also be installed on the 911 Carrera. However, the previous version belt must be used.
Description Part Number

 

Thanks guys. The DIY link has everything I need but that looks like a PITA. I think I'll use this as an opportunity to give a local shop a try. I'll be sure they use the updated pulley.

The battery is recently new, I could drive it ~5 miles without the alternator or the compressor belts, right?

Thanks.

 

If the battery is fully charged, driving 5 mi. should be OK, unless traffic is heavy & slow - keep the cell phone handy , and have the battery recharged at the shop.

Driving without the AC is a non issue; however, it has the #*&@! belt to replace IMHO, for the compressor adjuster does not release far enough: the long vertical bolts securing the compressor to its horizontally sliding cradle must be released to 'tilt' the unit slightly .... the caution is that there are large square nuts concealed at the bottom of these bolts that may jump down into the engine tin work.

 

MAKE SURE they use OEM belts that say "PORSCHE" on them. There was a thread here that explained that other belts, even with the right length, have different side angles, and the slight "jumping" that these belts do is enough to cause the computer to read a mis-fire and trip the check engine light.

 

Glenn, you didn't specify your level of expertise or how dirty you wanted to get. This is a fifteen-minute job if you've done it before, absolutely less than an hour for a newbie. Just be sure your mechanic doesn't gouge you for more than an hour.

If he's in there make sure he replaces the fan belt (the one that didn't break) because THAT'S the headache to replace. it has three small hex screws to get out that are made of soft butter and they invariably strip when you try to do them on your own.

dave