mrussell

I just noticed that on the serpentine belt that runs all of the systems at the back of the engine on my '02 C2 that 50% of the width fo the belt is missing! I noticed this only because a piece of the belt was hanging from the back of the car. A closer inspection revealed that the belt is still there and functional (sort of) but it's missing 50% of its width.

Does this belt also drive the cams or anything else that would cause an instant meltdown if it fails? Or does it just drive all of the ancillary systems like alternator, AC, etc?

Anyone experience this kind of failure?

Cheers,

1999Porsche911

Does not drive cams. Drives alternator, water pump, AC and power steering. When you replace it, check all pulleys to insure there are no rough nicks that may have contributed to the belt fraying.

mrussell

Thanks, will do. At least I know I can drive to the dealer without risking a total engine melt-down.

mrgroove

Why not tackle the job yourself. It's a very ez DIY. Just remove the Air Filter box, take a picture of the belt to ensure you route it correctly afterward and a big socket for the cam pulley to release the tension on the belt. Go on DIY. :-)

redridge

+1... easy DIY

Glenn

Also check the pulleys and water pump to make sure they roll smoothly. Now would be a good time to replace if there's any looseness or grinding.

ivangene

+1
this is one of the best ways to get to know your car, almost as simlpe as they come, feels great and saves money

we will help!!

kunkstyle

+1 for the DIY.

All you need is a new belt and a 24mm socket. Renntech has a good step by step procedure. And the 996 is actually one of the easier cars I've had to replace the belt on

JCL

DIY all the way, I did it this summer and it was real easy. I used Lorens step by step at Renntech that had a illustration for the route the belt takes through the pulleys and all the required tools. It's one of those jobs that if you knew how easy it was you would have done it a long time ago.

Carrera Mike

Take a photo of the routing before you remove it.

Refering to the first picture below, no 7 is all you need to turn counter clockwise.

Second pix (from Hughie/Robert's gallery). is for an alternator removal.. so ignore the rest of the text on the pix EXCEPT where it says, turn counter clockwise. The only thing you have to turn for the serpentine belt removal/replacement is the one in the middle where it says "turn clockwise+remove belt" .

ivangene

damn - I want a bit more "commitment" prior to asking for anything, WHERE are the follow up's and pictures >?

Come on... reply to your thread with how it went or what you are planning to do or something....