924Board.org

[timstar92404]

I'm wondering if you have to remove the timing belt on the 944 engine to replace the water pump.

Just asking because I'm looking at a 944 that this guy is selling, he says the timing belt was changed 15k kms ago at a porsche shop and he replaced the power steering belts etc himself.


but he says the water pump was last changed 85,000 miles ago ..... so the water pump might start leaking any day.

wondering if you can replace the water pump without the removal of the belt or detensioning the timing belt.

thanks.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

[Paul]

You have to remove all four belts, the tensioners, the back covers, etc.

[Paul]

The water pump can be seen in this picture, just look at all the stuff in the way! Ignore the red marks!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4df25b3127cce9cba47db9a1500000016108AZuGrlozZtE

[Paul]

As you can see in this picture, the water pump is driven by the timing belt.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4df25b3127cce9cba47d81b2600000016108AZuGrlozZtE

[timstar92404]

thanks, that sucks, because now it doesn't matter that the belt is new you have to do everything over because the water pump is so old.

thought I found a good deal on a car with new belts.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

[Paul]

The ultimate PITA is when a $2 seal starts to leak and you have to do it all over again!

[timstar92404]

It seems impossible to find a 944 that has all the maintenance up to date and no problems.

All the 944s I've seen have some catch to it. One person told me that its an excellent car , new belts, pump and then he says oh yeah the engine loses a quart of oil every day while driving but its only a minor problem and he just adds more oil to it.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

[Paul]

A lot of owners can't afford to do the front service, so they drive it until it breaks or sell it well after the service was due.

[timstar92404]

I know , usually the 944s here that are below 5-6 grand here need other work aside from the timing belt service.

even the cars selling for 6-8 grand usually have not had the belts recently replaced or the person says the belts are pretty new but has no records to prove it.

but thats understandable, why would you do the front end service if you're going ot sell the car.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

[dpw928]

Old water pumps on the 928 and 944's typically start leaking soon after a new timing belt is installed and retensioned. This is why it is considered foolish to not replace the pump if it has more than 40K miles. BUT many of the after market rebuilt pumps are not lasting the recommended 40K miles due to the plastic impeller coming loose or the bearing/seals going bad.

If the pump was new or factory rebuild it may be a better pump than a new rebuilt. Guess what I am saying is you may be better off with the pump that is in there. I would be more worried about the proper retensioning of the timing belt, since this step is often overlooked with dire consequences.

Dennis
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81 931 5 sp
78 928 5 sp Silver
78 928 AT Euro Black

[Joes924Racer]

problems problems problems though enuff maintenance
in being able to do the front end service. It
would be pretty much be worth it to be able to do also
if you think about it.
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1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.