cam belt

[drfc71]

Hi all
I purchased my first porsche 2.7 lux about six weeks ago, looking througt the history it last had its belts changed in 2006 but it has only covered 4500 since they were done.
If the car is stored in a garage and used occaisionally surely the rubber will not degrade any more than say a belt sat on a shelf in a warehouse/shop for a couple of years.
I know its a dear job if it snaps but surely you go on mileage more than age, £320 quid seems a lot to change nearly new belts thats all!

 

[GlennS]

Experience (oft repeated) shows you're running a risk with belts once they get to be more than about 4 years old regardless of mileage. Ultimately it is your decision, but £320 isn't much compared to what it would cost if the belt did decide to give up the ghost.

 

[robdimond]

I've heard several reports (there was a post on here just a few weeks ago) of low mileage belts breaking after 5-6 years. Most 944's will have the odd oil leak under there which will degrade the belts. Seriously, change them!

 

[DavidL]

Change them - don't even start the engine until you have. If you don't and they do snap that's your car lunched as a new engine (to supply and fit) will cost what the car is worth unless you are doing it yourself.

 

[Lowtimer]

Well, for a start, a belt sitting on the shelf is not under tension and wrapped tight around various radiuses. Nor is it exposed to cycles of heating and cold from the car being driven and parked in unheated places. It's not that the belt itself generally snaps, mostly that the teeth strip off. I'll be doing mine next Feb or March at three years age and probably 12,000 miles by then since they were last done. There's a thread of actual experiences here on the Pelican forums: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/423062-timing-belt-actual-life.html

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Over seven years I've seen enough cases of belts failing not far over the four year limit that I'd agree you shouldn't even start the engine until it's changed. You'll have four year's peace of mind. It might sound over-dramatic, but it seems they do fail. Very few people push the time limit, so the cars we hear about are a relatively high proportion of the ones that are overdue. Of course there will always be exceptions, I've heard of 14 years and he still wasn't going to change it! []

 

[Mike_Pollock]

A set of 8 valves for a 2.7 is around £1000.....

 

[drfc71]

Thanks guys Point taken I'll get it done its just after inspecting the belt it looks brand new, but its just not worth the risk or cost to be honest not to do it.

 

[Hilux]

A belt is not only wear related (fatigue) but time related (deterioration) I recommend at least 3 years and if the annual mileage is very very low then every two. Modern belts are much better than the originals but as in previous posts they are cheaper than an engine rebuild.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I recommend at least 3 years and if the annual mileage is very very low then every two.

The Porsche schedule is to inspect every two years/24K miles, change every four years/48K miles. Assuming the person inspecting the belt knows what they're doing, they should be able to spot anything untoward such as weeping oil seals contaminating the belt. I'd certainly back this up, having needed a belt replacing after a year as it was covered in oil! [&o]

 

[simdel1]

£320 is a good price for the job. I ended up paying quite a bit more than that! You've definitely made the right choice. The first thing I did with mine after I bought it was to change the belts - the previous owner (who thankfully didn't own it for long) seemed to think that belts were 'fit for life'.

 

[andy watson]

£320 definitely a good price but does that include the rollers? I would not (and have not) change the belts without the rollers as well, it is my understanding that is sometimes the rollers that due to being worn or jam that snap the belts.

 

[ed325i]

I have got to change mine but don't know whether to change the water pump while I am there. Ed

 

[robwright]

ORIGINAL: ed325i I have got to change mine but don't know whether to change the water pump while I am there. Ed

Lol here we go again with the water pump and rollers argument []

 

[drfc71]

Just booked it in for monday, its £300 for both belts and an oil change, they said they'll ring me up if they think any rollers or the water pump are worn. So not a bad price really.

 

[alwigley]

Don't even take the chance of not changing the tensioners & rollers - made the mistake once and will never repeat it. Unless you have the invoices, you have no idea how old, or how badly they have been tensioned in the past. Mine seemed fine, then the timing belt tensioner sheared off it's bearing at speed - 4 very bent exhaust valves and car off the raod since last Jan.