Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hello All.
After having a lovely day at Windsor Races on Sunday we were on our way back down the M40 and BANG @70mph. So rang Hagerty car insurance who sent a very nice man with his tow truck and took us home. Latter that evening after a few stiff drinks to calm my nerves down I took the distributor cap off and by looking into the inspection hole I think that the timing belt has broken because you can move it. If so does this mean that the valves are bent and my pride and joy will end up in the scrap yard in the sky? Help Please.
Thanks,
Ken.

Are you able to take the head off and have a look? If you have any mechanical skills and tools it shouldn't take you to long to get it off. Do you ahve the manual for the car?

Hi Lee.
I have no Haynes Manual (Don’t think they do one for the 2.5 engine), I think I would be able to take the head off but am worried about setting the timing etc supposing that there is no damage.
Ken.

Haynes manual is useless. Download a manual from either Rick Cannels site or the Promax site.
Firstly whip the cam belt cover off the front of the engine & check the belt & idlers.

Agree about downloading the workshop manual from Promax, invaluable resource, Haynes one for the 944 does explain the basic and as its geared more towards the pre '85.5 car its more help to 924S owners than 944 one.

At that speed I'm sorry to say that there will without doubt be valve damage, I've seen4 bend when a car has been started in the morning without even moving!

Best bet is to take the head off and check there is no piston damage, so long as nothing has damaged the block a replacement cylinder head can be had for around £150 from any 2.5l 924S/944.

Hi All.
Have now downloaded the workshop manual thanks for that. Just taken the cam cover off and found that the camshaft drive belt has not broken but most of the teeth are missing, also I have found part of a plastic gear, the other belt has all its teeth but seems slack. I would be able to take off the cylinder head but not sure if I would be able to sort out the valve clearances if I had to have work done on the head and the thought of timing it frightens the pants off me. The car has jut passed it MOT only a few week ago. Not sure what to do?
Ken.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news so soon after joining the forum, but even if the belt has just slipped at that speed it would be an incedible stroke of luck for there to be no valve damage

There's a head on ebay in Shropshire right now that would fit, the boost in BHP in the later S models was brought about a change in the pistons not the head so any 944 one would be a direct replacement.

Personally I'd get the head of an assess the damage and take it from there

Hi All.
Thanks for the advice. I think one thing at a time so over the next few nights I will take the head off and access the damage. I like idea about a replacement second hand head but am still concerned about the re fitting. Away lets see what’s wrong and I will let you know in the next few days.
Thanks,
Ken.

Take plenty of photo's. This will help when re-building. I do it, even for simple jobs. Also, when you have it off more people will be able to help if they can see what you have got. Good luck Ken, I hope it works out.

Hi All,
Not good news. Have now taken the cylinder head off and found not only are the valves bent but all the pistons are damaged were the valves have hit them. I also noticed engine oil in the throttle housing. One of the camshaft pulleys has broken causing the teeth on the belt to be damaged. I am disappointed because when I brought the car I have a invoice for £1000 confirming that the belts and pulleys had been changed and i have only covered 6000 miles in 2 1/2 years. I am afraid that the repair cost will be to great so I think am going to scrap the car.
Ken.

One of the guys on here has a cheap 2.5 engine and in the west mids too so that might be an option for you

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=9679

I'd also say get a cheap 944 2.5 8v engine and drop it in. The one in the other thread is brilliantly cheap and you could rent an engine crane and do the swap yourself to make it even cheaper.

Ken,

Please give Alan a call about the engine. I'm sure he could help you out, he's a great guy and has helped me before. Go to the local meeting and someone might have some equipment you could borrow, like an engine hoist. I have one you can borrow, but it will cost you £100 in diesel to get it and bring it back. Now is the time to do it, you have all winter.

Where were the belts/pulleys done as there may be some warranty on these if they are genuine Porsche parts, may only be a long shot tho'

Don't let another one go to the Scrapyard, there seems to be plenty of good used Cheap Engines available when you search.