968 Belt Tensioner

[marty]

Hi guys;
I have been asked by a 968 owner if anyone knows where he can get a belt tensioner part number 944 105 172 03.
He says it is part of the belt service but seems to be no longer available.
Any help would be gratefully received.

 

[Chrishazle]

PM Waylander on here, I have a feeling from what I've seen about this on porsche968uk forum that the part is NLA.

 

[T911UK]

Dropped on 01-Dec-2019, without replacement

 

[marty]

Can I assume from this that the tensioner is not a service part and only needs to be replaced if faulty?

 

[Waylander]

Hi

The tensioner is not part of the belt service and is not mentioned in the manual as a replaceable item, they last for ever if treated correctly, mine has done 170,000 miles and is working perfectly, I know of another that has not been replaced at 225,000 miles,

Saying that, the mounting pin for the lever arm, 944.105.170.05 has been updated 5 times due to breakages, this is worth replacing



they do get damaged by workshops that don't read the manual and stick them in a vice and crush the ends,

they are extremely difficult to get hold of second hand, I have contacted the original manufacturer AISIN in France and Japan,
they made an initial run of 15,000 for Porsche, then Porsche dropped the model and AISIN never made anymore, the moulds and process for them has been destroyed according to AISIN, there will be no more,

I have the emails if you wish to read them

Regards

 

[marty]

Thanks for the information.

 

[colin944]

I can get you one if you pm me.

 

[mcgc0]

Hi

The tensioner is not part of the belt service and is not mentioned in the manual as a replaceable item, they last for ever if treated correctly, mine has done 170,000 miles and is working perfectly, I know of another that has not been replaced at 225,000 miles,

Saying that, the mounting pin for the lever arm, 944.105.170.05 has been updated 5 times due to breakages, this is worth replacing

they do get damaged by workshops that don't read the manual and stick them in a vice and crush the ends,

they are extremely difficult to get hold of second hand, I have contacted the original manufacturer AISIN in France and Japan,
they made an initial run of 15,000 for Porsche, then Porsche dropped the model and AISIN never made anymore, the moulds and process for them has been destroyed according to AISIN, there will be no more,

Interesting.. What material is the tensioner made from?

 

[Waylander]

The tensioner is made of steel, and is a spring / hydraulic unit, made by Aisin

I have spoken to them directly and they made the original run for Porsche, and never made any more

there is a person on eBay that says he can refurbish a sealed unit for a lot of money, if the one the car is working then no need to replace

 

[mcgc0]

The tensioner is made of steel, and is a spring / hydraulic unit, made by Aisin

I have spoken to them directly and they made the original run for Porsche, and never made any more

there is a person on eBay that says he can refurbish a sealed unit for a lot of money, if the one the car is working then no need to replace

Thanks for extra information. Virtually impossible then to manufacture or fabricate and alternative or modify an old or non-functioning one..

 

[Waylander]

that said there is a guy taking Audi ones to bits and attempting fixes, but I would rather have a genuine 200,000 mile one that an untested sketchy rebuild that could fail, mine works fine now at 170,000 miles

 

[marty]

These are now being sold by partworks.de their part number is 14512.

 

[Chrishazle]

I cross posted this comment to the 968UK forum, Waylander's comment about partworks parts was not exactly complimentary, and he sticks by his comment that if it ain't broke, leave it alone! So it would appear to be Caveat Emptor!!