boolala

I know Ben's no longer with us but I did a search anyway and could not find much about this.

Suprisingly I'm coming up on 60 K miles on the p car (maybe because I actually drive it instead of spending my time worrying about trace metal contamination in the oil) but anyway what do people think about changing the drive belt at 60 K miles?

Although the factory recommendation seems to be that it should be replaced at 60 K or 6 years I have a maintanence handout from the dealership that stipullates only inspection of the drive belt at this mileage.

Has anybody here reached these rarefied milege milestones on the 997?

It's not that I'm trying to cheap out on this but the car runs so exceptionally well with so little coddling that I'm afraid of messing with perfection.

Seriously.

ADias

Ask Edgy01 and he will tell you that you are overdue in changing the serpentine belt.

And incidentally, do not concern yourself if others worry about minute maintenance details, as it's just their business, and there's nothing wrong with that.

jwins

During my 60k service, the dealer inspected but did not replace the belt. Now at 80k, I keep my eye on it but can see no visible wear. I keep a spare just in case.

kdurg

Change it. It's a 5 year old piece of rubber ran for 60k miles. You can swap it out yourself in less than an hour and $40 for the belt ? It's a no brainer.

Edgy01

The belt costs nothing--and to change it out takes you about ten minutes -- max. All you need to do is to remove the air cleaner, and then with a 24mm combination wrench, reduce the tension on it and take the old one off.

60K is what Porsche recommends, and I would go with what they suggest. Mine failed at 38K as I recall, and when you lose the belt on that car you are DEAD MEAT unless you carry a spare (which I do now).

I think it cost me $26 from Sunset in Oregon.

Definitely FEEL the run along cogs for wear. Feel for any grooves on their surfaces.

If you don't do it, the last image could be you.

boolala

Thanks, I'll have it changed. How much labor would an indy charge for this replacement? It sounds like 1 hour of labor or so.

Edgy01

If they charged you 1/2 hr of labor it would be too much. However, it should be someone familiar with the 996/997 engines and they should know how to look for a potential problem with the come along wheels and tensioner wheel. By 60,000 miles without an issue you are probably fine, however.

boolala

Replaced it. Fifty one dollars for the belt and $109 labor.

997driver

Does Drive Belt=Serpentine Belt?

boolala

Yes.

1BlinkGone

Dan (edgy01) gives some invaluable info on the tensioner pulleys here. If the surfaces aren't true, and they are worn as displayed in those pics, you're asking for trouble in just replacing the belt and ignoring the pulleys. They aren't that costly and come with new internal bearings. "An ounce of prevention..."