My top idler and tensioner pulleys were becoming increasingly noisy for months now so I decided to finally change them. The bottom idler was smooth as silk so after $150 in pulleys, it was time to change them both or I was going to be walking. While I was in there I replaced the oil filler tube that broke during another project. Figured it was time to give the board some pics for once...

First pic shows how the slop in the bearing allowed the pulley to rub the stalk that holds the pulley.

 

Blue tape held the oil filler tube together and was also used to remind me to stop being lazy and fix it.

 

About ready to pull the distressed tensioner pulley off. This pulley was shot even more than the idler that retains the alternator on. Very crunchy sounding.

 

95 degrees tonight and working on a hot motor on my knees, doesn't get any better than this....gotta love it!

Oh yea, the pulleys were the culprit, the motor sounds so quiet I can hear the injectors ticking.

 

How exactly do you remove the pulleys?

 

Cory - kudos to you for taking that job on! Thanks for the pics! Don't you just love the "cool evenings" in SA?

 

Pull the airbox - unplug sensor at right side (open retaining clips for sensor wire X 2), loosen hose clamp at TB, and retaining bolt near lid latch

I used a 15/16" wrench (should use a metric) on the tensioner to pull the belt off and I believe the idler that has the long bolt that runs through the alternator was a 15MM.

Used the 15/16" wrench and a 15MM I believe to back up the tensioner pulley and remove.

Porsche gives you a brand new bolt (male) and a indexing collar (female) for the tensioner pulley. The bolt comes from the rear and cant be removed due to clearance between the engine and the idler stalk so I reused the factory one. Really no need to swap it out.

 

I knew you would like the pics Tim and I just got in from training in CT today. It was like a 30-40 degree cooler tempurature difference up in the NE. It was cold in NYC, Hartford, and Boston all this week and really hot in TX, crazy. Sweat was dripping off my face about 10 minutes into it.

 

The belt tensioner pulley is supplied with a 24mm bolt,--which you place tension on to remove the belt. I can't believe you're not using METRIC tools!

 

Dan, welcome to 2007

 

INTERESTING POST - even in 2009 in the UK!

 

I've been hearing lots of noise from my engine lately. I was trying to decide if it was something related to the A/C, but maybe it is the pulley issue... is this common?

 

Dennis, I had my lower idler pulley replaced @ ~42k; excessive whine.

 

You can use a 9/16" for a 14mm too. As long as it fits nicely, the bolt/nut doesnt know which measurement scale is being used.


Mine sounded like a cheap bearing in the wheels of a skateboard once no load was on it. I dont remember what sounds it exactly (it was 2007) made when it happened, probably squeeky or rock-crushing sounds.

 

It's funny,--I have avoided buying ANY standard tools over the decades,--only have metric. Thus, I only buy German cars!