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944 Cambelt Change

944_Kev

944_Kev

New member
Having recently brought my first 944, an '86 2.5 Lux model (I love it by the way) it's due a cambelt change due to age, not mileage.
Can anyone advise on what a German Specialist car garage should quote on price and hours to do the job please. The whole job I gather requires replacement of the cambelt and tensioners, plus the water pump as it's cambelt driven.
I guess the job shouldn't take more than 4 hours?
Any advice on here would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin.
 
A specialist should be able to tell you whether anything other than the belt itself needs changing once it's stripped down; you might not need a water pump or oil seals for example. That makes it a bit hard for them to give you a price in advance. Hourly rates vary dramatically throughout the country as well.

Many companies have menu pricing on their websites now, which gives a guide.
 
I've seen quite a few folk recommend that you change the water pump at the same time as a precaution as you have to strip the front of the engine to get at it - something that's already been done to get at the belts! However, in about 15 years of 944/968 (mainly 968) ownership I have never yet (touch wood) had to replace a water pump due to failur or any other reason!

From past experience a belt change adds about 4 hours to a normal service, but as McNulters says, once the front is stripped out the mechanic can see things normally not visible - like oil seals, cam chain, tensioner etc - that may or may not need changing. Also it's likely that some rollers will need changing, others maybe not. You need to be certain that the mechanic knows his way around a 944/968 engine!

I know Nine Excellence do - Ken Napier (the owner) bought my 968 coupe last year, and at least one of his mechanics recognised it from his time at Rivervale (now Mid Sussex Porsche). They're in Horley, not far from Gatwick. If that's too far away, there are bound to be others - although unless you're lucky you'll almost certainly have to travel a bit - my specialist is about 40 mins from me, but well worth the drive.
 
Had the balance shaft belts, cam belt, alternator and power steering belts changed along with the water pump, 3 rollers, replaced some duff cam followers (supplied by me) and had a full service or at least oil, filter and plugs as well as re-timed the cams and replaced the plug seals and cam cover seal for £850. With the water pump being £230 and the rollers £120 of the total so well pleased with the price.

My water pump and rollers had been replaced previously at the belt change before last so two changes prior and both it an the rollers were well past their best and the water pump pulley was causing the belt to wear as it was so tight, although the pump was still working it was obviously not going to be long for it to fail. Similarly with the rollers they were on the cusp of failure so worth having them checked while the belts are off.
 
Thanks for the repies folks, very helpful. [:)]

I'll check out a few Porsche Dealers plus some German specialists for quotes, etc.
 
Had mine done at OPC the last 2 times, cheaper than indie and always have the rollers changed.
Also get 10% of the parts as well.
 
It's not difficult to change belts & rollers yourself. Parts can be found from any parts store quite cheap. Lots of vendors list these parts, but in most cases they still are made by INA (Porsche oem supplier).
INA has moved some of their factories to cheaper labor countries, so don't be surprise if there is "Made in Slovakia" in Porsche parts. Be careful when you buy balance shaft tensioner roller, there are chinese ones for sale. This roller was also used in Seat Ibiza "System Porsche" engines, so chinese sells their repro roller also for 944 people http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/318373959/Tensioner_Bearing_Tensioner_Pulley_Auto_Tensioner.html .
I suppose INA is the only factory which actually make these parts. I have found quite a lot another brands as well, but closer inspection shows that parts are made by INA.
I changed last week belts & rollers to 70KKm 951. It still had original rollers. I was surprised to found out balance shaft idler roller was made by FAG. I suppose FAG doesn't fabricate these parts any longer.
If you buy these parts from your local parts store, ask them if they have QH (Quinton & Hazell) or Ruville ones available. Both of these brands uses INA made parts. Also Laso ones are safe choice.
 
Found time to get my 944 cambelt & drivebelt + tensioners/rollers all changed.
Didn't get the water pump changed. It's not leaking or making any strange noises so left it alone.
Anyway........Elite Porsche at Belvedere, Kent done the whole job. £375 in total. That's that job done and out of the way. [:D]
 
Very reasonable price i would say, thats you sorted for another 4 years 36k.....................go enjoy
 

ORIGINAL: os951

I suppose INA is the only factory which actually make these parts. I have found quite a lot another brands as well, but closer inspection shows that parts are made by INA.
I changed last week belts & rollers to 70KKm 951. It still had original rollers. I was surprised to found out balance shaft idler roller was made by FAG. I suppose FAG doesn't fabricate these parts any longer.
Click to expand...

Fischers Aktien-Gesellschaft are the Great Grandfathers of roller bearings aren't they Oli?

They became fully owned by the INA-Schaeffler group in 2001. I suspect the parts have origins as FAG but re-branded.

INA-Schaeffler's area of bearing innovation was drawn-cup needle rollers back in the '70s.
 
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