Hi rennlisters,
Has anyone got any tips on how to get a new fan belt to flex and manoeuvre into position over the crank shaft pulleys? There are 3 pulleys together on the crank and the fan belt needs to go into the pulley closest to the engine. Got original Porsche belts and am struggling to get it go on due to lack off space down there. The old one failed and I'm struggling.... Any tips appreciated!
Thanks
taj

 

Yeah it's a pain (doesn't help you but the clewett surpentine belt I have now is great/easy to change).
Here's a few tips on this thread. https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=28499

 

Hi Ryojo,
Care to elaborate on the "twine trick" ?
Also noticed that I can hear bearing noise on spinning the fan with no belt on.... Anyone replaced the fan bearings on these?
taj

 

twine trick is basically tying a piece of twine around the pulley (in one of the ridges so it doesn't slip) and pulling.

From my experience, the 96s have a casting boss on the A/C crossover unit (the big aluminum piece that goes around the crank pulley) and the belt gets caught up there. Next time I do this, I will file down the boss a bit, but if you don't like to do that, heres what I'd do.

face the point of the V belt towards the engine and wedge it in place by hand. Spray a tiny bit of wd-40 or similar on that area, and use a long 3/8s extension to apply force to that area. Takes some effort, but the belt is pretty tough, so don't worry even if you scuff it up a bit.

Once its in the right area, just flip it so that it faces the right way and you're done. Alternator belt is a non issue as I recall it.

And yes, fan bearings can be replaced. Once you have the intercooler off, remove the rubber ductwork, fan strap, etc, tilt fan forward, remove rear cone, undo electrical connectors, and remove fan. Use press or puller to remove fan from alternator, installation is reverse, but be careful to tighten the rear cone bolts evenly as this is what centers the fan in the shroud.

 

yup, just a piece of string around the pulley and tying onto the belt - and pulling - popped right on.

 

Look in the tsb's on www.pcarworkshop.com - there is a factory update procedure to file off some aluminum to enlarge the opening to get the belts on the crankshaft pulley.

Cheers

Mike

 

Taj, I struggled with this for years but finally found two procedures that actually work! First procedure, have the car on a level surface, the handbrake released and the shifter in sixth. Place the fan belt on the three pulleys and work it into the forward most groove on the right hand side. The best you will be able to do is have it cross over and be in the middle groove on the left hand side. Next, while pulling upwards on the belt to keep it tight, rock the car forwards. This will inch the pulley in the clockwise direction, barely moving it with each shove, but slowly moving the crossover point around until the belt pops into the forward groove on the left hand side too.
The last belt change I did I wondered "what if I was to bump the starter?" It so happens if you slip the belt on the upper shaft after you get it positioned on the lower pulley (in the forward groove on the left and in the middle groove on the right) the belt is more or less snug when slipped on the upper shaft. So instead of rocking the car forward, I bumped the starter and the belt popped in! I mean just touch it, you are trying to rotate the engine only one half of one revolution.
I have some more things that work pretty well dealing with 993 belts if you are interested you can PM me. Good luck!

 

Hi Dick,
I continued to struggle and then called the specialist in the UK I use, Northway Porsche. They told me they use the exact same method you described via the starter motor and part fotting it on the right hand side of the pulley. When the engine rotates clockwise, it pops on all the way round and that is what I will try next. Based on the speed and ease of the method, I reckon this is the way all pros do it.
Tricks of the trade eh?
Thanks to all that replied
Taj

 

just incase you haven't see this the last time it was posted

 

Actually I have seen it but won't work on any 993 especially a Turbo..
Doubtful it will work on a VW either if you want the tension right.
Fun to watch though!

 

Hi All,
The belt is on, with half a turn of the engine via the starter so that worked well.

Thanks for all the help,
Taj