Pulley Update: Why Bother?
 

Looked at a bunch of old posts and can't quite figure out why there is a pulley update for the early cars. I am almost positive I have the old style because the car came with a 760mm belt and there is a big chamfered/radiused separate washer right behind the top nut. And I have a pretty early build 95.

I am actually having a strange problem - the replacement 760mm belt is a tad loose even with no shims - so that when the engine is cold and you let off throttle to downshift, the belt squeals if you feed back in throttle too quickly. Nothing when warm.

Any thoughts on either of those pseudo-questions?

thanks......
dave

Hi Dave,

I would make sure to get a genuine Porsche belt, one that says "Porsche" on it. Besides looking cool, I think it is the exact width/diameter/pitch required.

I heard the pulley update was due to some pulley failures, which at high RPM could do some ugly things to its neighbors and the engine lid. I updated mine, but then I'm a "belt and suspenders" kind of guy.

Thanks. Will do. I have a napa belt because the P-car stealer across street was out of stock on 760mm for like two weeks. Never thought in this day and age that might be an issue.

Please be careful around those pulleys when the car is running with those suspenders on.

dave

Yes, that's the old style.


Andreas

I'm guessing but let's say it's a 50% pully failure rate. That's high and would certainly trigger a widespread recommendation to replace it but on the other hand if you have a decent amount of miles you've made it this far without a failure so you might be on the good side of the percentages. If you look the pulley over carefully when you (re)replace your belt and don't see any sign of cracking you're probably fine. If in doubt though, I'd replace it because as BobbyT indicated if it fails it ain't good.

You will end up replacing the belt every 30K or so anyway and other than buying two pulley halves, the cost/effort is the same. I prefer to spend a little bit more during maint. and PM and avoid a bigger problem later (at some very inconvenient time and place). +1 on only using Porsche belts. Check out Sunset Porsche for parts. The price is certainly right and they are the nicest people around (must be the air in Oregon).

Go onto www.pcarworkshop.com and look for the TSB.

Cheers

Mike

Go onto www.pcarworkshop.com and look for the TSB.

Cheers

Mike

Thanks gents.

Cool, I didn't know the TSBs were there.

dave

There is LOTS of stuff there...you just have to sniff around! :roflmao::roflmao:

Such cheap, easy insurance. It's like the first thing to do after engine tray and before FPB and buying a spare DME!

Wow, I had no idea there was a pully update for 1995's. My belt is a bit loose too and squeeks sometimes, so this'll be a great time to update.

:cheers:

I know the updated pulley for my '97 was due to the old pulley causing the belt to fray and break...not the pulley itself breaking.

I just ordered the new pulley. Darn thing was $60. :grr:

The report of pulleys breaking came from Tony Callas, of Callas Rennsport during the 993 Tech Session on November 20, 2004. Probably a pretty reliable source.