924Board.org

[dfdickenson]

I just bought an 87' 924S and a bent alternator pulley broke one of the belts. Does anyone have a mechanic in the Ft. Lauderdale area that they would recomend for this type of job? Can I just slap on a new pulley and belt or do I need a whole retensioning job?

[Paul]

As long as we are talking about the alternator belt, just replace it and and the pulley.

If you don't know or trust the history of the timing and balance shaft belts (under the black plastic cover) have them checked immediately.

[gohim]

There has to be a reason that the pulley is bent (if it really is bent). They don't suddenly decide to be bent.

You better take a good look to see why what happened, happened.

Take your car in and have the "front of engine service" (replacement timing and camshaft belts, rollers, pulleys, water pump, and engine front oil seals) done immediately if you do not have written proof that this has been done in the past 30K miles, or 3 years.

[dfdickenson]

The guy told me he hit a racoon. I need to know if there is a good mechanic in the Ft. Lauderdale area who can perform this maintenance, though. The car did not seize up at all. The battery light just came on because the alternator was not running anymore. The power steering also went out. I drove the car about a mile to a buddy's house before I shut it down.

[cwr-fl]

I would contact Ian at:

IAN'S EURO PARTS
1501 NW 22 CT #10
POMPANO BEACH, FLA 33069
USA
E-Mail: IAN@944ONLINE.COM
Web Site: http://www.944ONLINE.COM
TOLL FREE ORDER LINE - 1 866 944 7883

He's just a few miles north of Ft. Lauderdale and he has a good reputation. I;m not sure if he is doing repairs but if he isn't, I am sure he could recommend someone who could help you.

[dfdickenson]

Thank you, I'm calling him now.

[dfdickenson]

Do I need to replace the waterpump too? Ian's refered me to a guy who tells me I need to replace the water pump, because when you change the belts the old water pump is going to wear out immediatly afterwards. Is $800 completely ridiculous or do I grin an bear it?

[Stu2j]

""Do I need to replace the waterpump too? Ian's refered me to a guy who tells me I need to replace the water pump""

The mechanic is correct. You should always replace the water pump with the belts.

""Is $800 completely ridiculous or do I grin an bear it?""

The price is high but is not completely ridiculous.

I suggest you contact another FL garage (even if not local) to get a comparison price. Then you will know. If you want to know the high "ridiculous" price, contact your Porsche dealer for an estimate.

[gohim]

$800 is not a bad price depending on what is included.

New or rebuilt water pump (parts cost about $150-$200), front engine seals (parts cost about $60-$70), pulleys, rollers, belts (parts cost about $125-$150)? First 2K mile belt inspection and retension (labor charge $80-$100)?

See? So $800 doesn't look too bad when you add the labor a minimum of about $400-$500.

[Lizard]

you might also want to consider getting the water pump for a 951/968 as they are apperantly stronger and last longer

[gohim]

The 951 water pump is the same as the normal 944 water pump. Same basic casting, and same impeller. There is a extra hole milled in the casting for the turbo coolant pump, and there is a block off plate available so you can use the 951 pump in a non-turbo car. Some of the aftermarket market companies only offer the one pump and supply the blocking plate so the same pump and part number will work on either engine.

I have looked at a 968 pump (eBay ads), the castings look different, and I don't think it will fit on a 2.5L 944 NA engine.