Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

How often should the cam belt be changed?

I keep hearing that it is around every 3 or 4 years. Having previously owned 4 944's from new, i have never heard of this before. The last new 944 I had was sold sold after 4 years with 34K on the clock. It only had one service at around 30k (apart from warranty). The only reason it went in was because a neighbour wrecked a wing mirror, so it was serviced at the same time. Bill was arond 400 including 130 for the mirror and carried out at AFN. There was no mention that the cambelt or anything else needed looking at.

My S2 is the first used 944 I have owned. There is no mention of the cambelt in the owners handbook.


In the service book - under service schedule - it clearly says:

Additional service EVERY 100,000 km/60,000 miles

Exchange toothed belt - check condition and belt tension after 3000 - 4000km/ 2000 - 2500 miles.

So where does this 3 - 4 year thing come from. I can see it will be four years if you are doing an average 0f 15k per year.

There are also two S2's for sale with long cambelt change periods

Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1989-Porsche-944- ... mobiles_UK

Belt changed 1999 & 2008


PH
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1916312.htm
Car has 111k on clock - belt last changed at 65,000.

Has this four year thing been misinterpreted wrongly, purposely or otherwise?

OK Gates who manufacturer the bl00dy thing together with Conti say 45K miles or max 5 years. But then suggest as a get out clause that severe duty should be reduced. As I suspect 45K miles would be a long time for most of us the absolute max I'd do is 5. My preference is 3 years or possibly 4. It isn't so much the belts but oil leaks which contaminate them & weaken them.

Its the front seals that are the problem. 4 years is about the limit on mine. New water pump every other belt change as if it fails it will most likely goose the engine & pumps are cheap compared to a rebuild. You have to remember that when new most of these were doing 20K + a year. Just look at the mileage on a lot of new ones. Makes you wonder about all the low mileage ones about!!

I think the mileage of these cars when new is often overlooked. They were comfortable, quick cruisers and were used as such.
My turbo had 90K put on it its first 3 years - it makes me feel less concerned about the 230K on it now!
4 years (likely) or 48K(not likely) for me although I'd do it at 3.5 not 4.5 if there was a difference.