924Board.org

[Mike77]

Does a broken timing belt on a 924s/944 engine almost always result in engine damage? I found a cheap 944 for sale with a broken timing belt and if this probably means engine damage too, I do not want the car. I've heard that this usually causes belt valves.

[924_fan]

The 924S/944 is an interference design engine. So, yes a broken timing belt while the engine is running almost always results in bent valves or worse.

[gohim]

Broken Belt = Bent Valves on a 944, or a 924S.

Don't buy the car expecting or thinking that you can slap a new belt on, and drive away.

A broken belt usually does not result in much more damage than bent valves, but bent valves on a 924S, or 944 are not cheap to replace. Figure $25 per intake, and $55 per exhaust valve. There will be other work needed (figure some valve guides), so expect to drop at least $400-$500 at the machine shop for cylinder repair work and parts. Budget $80-$100 for the head gasket set. You will want to replace the oil cooler seals, engine front oil seals (figure $100 for the block gasket set, the cheapest way to get the oil cooler, and front seals), belts, rollers, pulleys (another $125 here), and water pump ($100-$200 depending on what and where you buy it) while you are in there, because they need to be replaced every 3 years, or 30K miles on these engines to help avoid belt breakage.

Brumos Porsche was advertising some rebuilt cylinder heads, fully assembled (the cylinder head, not on your broken engine) a few months ago for $400. This might be a good way to go.

If you can do the work, and you have access to required P9201 belt tension gauge, then you can save the rest of the labor, but there is no way to get around the cost of the parts.

Keep in mind that the car has probably not been maintained properly (remember the broken belt), so there is guarenteed to be other repair/deferred maintenance issues to pay for.

Don't offer, or pay very much for the car. Certainly not more than $500-$1000 unless the car is original and perfect, with a clean title. No crash test babies, or versions of what some butcher thinks a Porsche should look like.

[Zuffen]

I have seen a very few cars jump timing on startup, striping several teeth of the belt and the cars were fine. But this is rare.

deduct at least 700 from the purchase price if you are going to do the work, that should cover all the stufff that will need replacing due to damage and the rest from possible premature replacement . (your in there so you might as well do the seals and water pump, and tensioner and idle pulley )

_________________
Bob Dodd - 924turbo@cox.net
931 1982, 944 1982 euro, 924S 1988SE, 93 968 tip 06 Silver Cayenne S, 06 Black Cayenne S

I have Way too many cars, parts for the 931,944 and 951

[Richard]

Usually bent valves will result but not always. Sounds like a crap shot. Don't do it if you don't want any surprises.

[924_fan]

Where is this car. I'm curious because I know someone in South NJ asking me the same questions.

[Mike77]

It's in central PA