i bought an automatic p44 in my younger more impressionable days, not knowing when the last time it had its timing belt done. i now suspect the timing is going out, is there anywherre online where i can find a detailed procedure on how to do it. should i even try it? ive never had anyone else other than myself work on the car but ive only done small things. normally i wouldnt be so unsure about this but its not a chevy, its a porsche and it has a banance shaft. anyway any help would, ... well it would halp haha thanks.

 

www.clarks-garage.com

What makes you think the timing is going out?

 

a really rough idle and sluggish accelleration.

 

Since timing is based off a belt system, the only way your timing could be off is if the belt slipped a tooth. I wouldn't even attempt to start the car until you have verified this. I would line up your timing marks and see if they are where they should be. My guess is that they are, and that you have a problem elsewhere.

 

Do you know how often that timing belt (balance or camshaft belt) should be replaced to avoid this???

"I wouldn't even attempt to start the car until you have verified this. " i couldnt agree more though because you can seriously ruin your engine...

 

Typically I recommend a timing and balance shaft belt replacement every 30k miles or 5 years. That is under the recommended 45 or 60 (whatever it was that porsche recommended), but that is too long in my opinion. You only need to do the waterpump and rollers every 60k or so, so the in between service of just swapping belts is all of about 70 bucks in parts and 2 hours of labor or so.

I am ****, my belts usually get replaced every 15k miles, but usually because I am in there playing with new cams, etc.

 

Interesting. I was reading on how to replace that belt in my hanes manual, however it is making it soundsort of difficult because it explains that at some point, it must be taken to a dealer to have the tension set properly. is this really a difficult process and do i need to take it to a dealer? or do i need a special tool to do thetensioning myself?

 

The P9201 is the tensioning tool Porsche uses. It runs about $450. There are some cheaper alternatives to this, one of which is called a Kricket tool and is about 40 bucks through napa. I don't use a tool anymore, but instead rely on the 90 degree twist method (once the belt is tensioned, you should be able to twist it 90 degrees...no more, no less.....balance shaft belt is looser, so the twist is slightly more than 90 degrees). This is the method Porsche use to use before they came up with the idea that they needed a really expensive tool to do this. I have used the 9201, and while it will give you an idea of how the belt should feel when tensioned, I feel it is also quite inaccurate in getting a consistent reading.

If you have never tensioned a 944 belt, I would recommend at least getting a kricket tool or having someone familiar with the belt job come by and help.

www.clarks-garage.com in his garage shop manual will help you with the belts.....it is all found under C for Camshaft belt tensioning/installing,etc.

 

Oh great!! fantastic.. Yea, i did see the price of that tool and i thought that was ridiculous!! thank you for the information!!