924Board.org

Forte420 · Joined: 18 Jan 2011 Posts: 5 Location: Western KY

Hi all,

Just got an '87 924S which had lots of service records that came with it.

The last time the timing belt was changed was at 60k, and was retensioned ~1500 miles later. It currently has ~88k on it, and a retension was not done at 75k. Most sites I've seen has a change interval of 45k, but a retension every 15k.

Should the belt be replaced or just re-tensioned? I don't want to drop 1 grand right now if I just need to buy the retensioning tool.

Thanks for the help.

joecitizennn · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2096 Location: no mans land

It is important to also know how many years since the belt was replaced. As a new owner I would put changing the belts on the top of my list regardless what records say.
_________________
87 924s
88 924SE gone
447 hp cgt clone
87 924S gone
84 944 sold
83 944 sold
89 turbo S LSD, ABS etc
86 951 white rocket
85 944 sport everything.
84 944 sold.
87 944 sold

Forte420 · Joined: 18 Jan 2011 Posts: 5 Location: Western KY

The belts are 4 years old, so I'll change them anyway.

Does Pelican Parts have just about the cheapest OEM parts out there? For a water pump, belts/rollers/tensioners, front engine seals, ignition rotor, plugs, cap and the 920x tool, it came out to about 970. Is that pretty reasonable?

Also, here she is:

joecitizennn · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2096 Location: no mans land

You need ignition parts as well? I see no mention of spark plug wires.

I sourced my belt and roller kit, water pump and tensioning tool for 350. The belt kit was contitech and the waterpump was a rebuilt OE. Both came from ebay. The tensioning tool came from 44andmoreparts.com.

I have done 11 timing belt jobs in the last 5 years with that tool with no problems.
_________________
87 924s
88 924SE gone
447 hp cgt clone
87 924S gone
84 944 sold
83 944 sold
89 turbo S LSD, ABS etc
86 951 white rocket
85 944 sport everything.
84 944 sold.
87 944 sold

bcblase · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 574 Location: Winchester, VA

Paragon Products has a good selection of OE parts at reasonable prices.

Arnnworx is a good place to get the 944-specific tools, including the timing belt tools.

IMHO, eBay is OK if you know exactly what the seller is offering, but be careful about what you are buying. If the part is a well known brand or OEM supplier, you should be OK.
_________________
1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver

joecitizennn · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2096 Location: no mans land

bcblase · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 574 Location: Winchester, VA

The German OEM stuff is usually best - but I did buy a 944 timing belt from a friend that used to own a 944, and had an "extra" on the shelf - he didn't tell me it had been "on the shelf" since 1995 - it was hard as a rock also.

Brad
_________________
1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver

joecitizennn · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2096 Location: no mans land

went through several wrong sized seals from autozone till they got it close to right. The seal they provided me was 1mm wider than the oe, but the id and od were spec. When pressed in place everything cleared. Will have to wait another 2 years to see if this seal is worth a crap. meanwhile my other german sourced seals just keep on sealing...
_________________
87 924s
88 924SE gone
447 hp cgt clone
87 924S gone
84 944 sold
83 944 sold
89 turbo S LSD, ABS etc
86 951 white rocket
85 944 sport everything.
84 944 sold.
87 944 sold