I'll be changing my belts in the not-so-distant future and am concerned about buying a belt that may have been sitting on the shelf at the dealer / distributor , etc.

for who knows how long - maybe ten, perhaps fifteeen years or more.. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> So I contacted Gates to find out what their mfg suggested shelf life is for the 968 belts, and also if their belts have any markings which indicate the manufacture date so in case the dealer sends one that's ancient I can return it and ask for one with a recent date on it.



Here is Gates' response to those two questions ( keep in mind, the dealers / distributors are under no obligation to comply with Gates' prescribed shelf life, it's just a sugestion ) :



1. " Storage Effects Belts may be stored up to six years if properly stored at temperatures less than 85°F and relative humidity less than 70%. If the storage temperature is higher than 85° F, the storage limit for normal service performance is reduced byone half for each 15°F increase in temperature. Belts should never be stored at temperatures above 115°F. At relative humidity levels above 70%, fungus or mildew may form on stored belts. This has minimal affect on belt performance, but should be avoided. When equipment is stored for prolonged periods of time (over six months), the belt tension should be relaxed so that the belt does not take a set, and the storage environment should meet the 85°F and 70% or less relative humidity condition. If this is not possible, belts should be removed and stored separately in a proper environment. "



2. Mfg date : " Attached is an example of what it should look like - it's the 6 digits after the part number which is - day - year then plant code I.E. 0868MC - 86th day of 2008 - MC is the plant "



   

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This is very useful info - thanks. Although the 115 degree limits surprises me, considering it gets considerably hotter than that under the hood. And also in many garages in Phoenix or Las Vegas in July...

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well, then you need to shorten the limits on acceptability of the belt. that's why the put that info together.



this one is no shocker to me. rubber ages.



dan - thanks for taking the time to look into this.

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[quote name='flash' timestamp='1355181975' post='136067']

dan - thanks for taking the time to look into this.

[/quote]



the primary reason was self-preservation, lol.. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/closedeyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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I don't recall the balance belt, with teeth on both sides, having any of the typical belt markings.

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[quote name='MB968' timestamp='1355193705' post='136076']

I don't recall the balance belt, with teeth on both sides, having any of the typical belt markings.

[/quote]

Good point; can't say that I can, either.

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Guessing there could be a small imprint ( numbers pressed in, as opposed to the contrast paint marking ) somewhere on the side of the belts ?

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Since a member brought up the subject about timing belts, I would like to discuss the belt on my 1995 968. The timing belt was changed approximately 10 years ago by the previous owner and in the back of my mind, I would like to know if it needs replacing again. The car has approximately 60 000 miles (100 000 km). Hazarding a guess, I would say that the timing belt was changed when it had 30 000 miles on the odometer. Any thoughts?

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oh my god yes!!!!



put that if the FRONT of your mind right now! do not drive the car. starting the car puts the most strain on the belts, and you could easily break one, resulting in a very expensive repair due to the nature of the interference design.



the manual is wrong. 3 years or 45k miles, whichever comes FIRST!!!



this is exactly why ds968 put the thread up here. he found out the hard way.

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If you can maneuver your way around Flash's subtle verbiage, I think what he's trying to say is CHANGE YOUR BELTS. But that's just a guess... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[quote name='Cloud9...68' timestamp='1355246900' post='136094']

If you can maneuver your way around Flash's subtle verbiage, I think what he's trying to say is CHANGE YOUR BELTS. But that's just a guess... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

[/quote]

<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



But seriously, with 10 years on that belt and 30k miles on top of the age factor, you are probably sitting on a stick of dynamite with about one mm left on the fast-burning fuse...if even that much !



and just to put this in perspective : I am the diametric opposite of flash ( a.k.a. chicken little <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> ) in terms of " you should replace this, or you should replace that , as preventive maintenance ". because

even if you neglect most other things, nothing of much significance really happens so in my world you just replace whatever is needed, if and only when it breaks down, and that's about it BUT.. when your belt breaks you are guaranteed a $ 5,000 bill ( unless you can do everything yourself, in which case you're still looking at $ 2,000-$ 2,500 or so in parts ). So if I, the king of neglecting your car maintenance urges you to change the belts ASAP, trust me on this, it's NOT worth the tradeoff

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So,... should he change the belts? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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To properly enjoy my 968, or any car for that matter, having peace of mind knowing that the engine is properly tuned, safe, reliable and able to be driven without the thought of implosion is the utmost satisfaction of ownership a person can have. So with the car wintering in the garage for the next several months, now would be the time to assemble the proper belt kit and mechanic. Changing the timing belt will be the first thing completed on the car come spring. If someone can forward me a company which sells timing belt kits that I can order from, I would greatly appreciate it.

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Check out Paragon Prod., Pelican Parts, and for OEM Sunset Porsche. I bought Gates belts from Paragon. You'll find them if you search this site.

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malickje,



Here is a kit sold by Paragon Products. I have had good dealings with them, and they will answer lots of questions. You will have lots of questions, if you do it yourself. You'll need a flywheel lock, and some other specialized tools to do the job. Some of those you can obtain at www.arnworx.com. I've used other vendors as well, so shop around. The ones mentioned above by MB968 are good, IMHO. You could also do the water pump, which would add about $350 to the cost for the part. Seems like many pumps, mine included, go 100K miles, but my pump was going quickly at that mileage and time, which was 20 years. Pretty good for a water pump, I think. I suggest that you do the following, based on miles and time:

• Timing Belt
  
  
• Balance Shaft Belt
  
  
• Timing Belt Tensioner Roller
  
  
• Timing Belt Roller
  
  
• Balance Shaft Tensioner Roller
  
  
• Balance Shaft Roller
  
  

Add to that front engine seals, such as balance shaft seals, new balance shaft races, main crank seal, oil pump gear and o-ring seal, and you have a substantial project.



It's tempting to just say, heck, I'll just pop off the old belts and put some new ones one. You could do just that. But when you actually get in there, and realize what's involved if you had to tear it all down again, you start ordering everything, especially if you are going to keep the car. Thanks to the design of the motor, any oil leaking from these front seals has the potential to get on the belts. That will lead to very bad news, and might even total the car from the repair cost vs. value of the car.



Anyhew, best of luck and throw any questions out here. Plenty of experience to draw on.



-Scott

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just make sure the belts are not contitech

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Also add to Scott's list the timing belt tensioner, unless you know its history.



The tensioner is basically a gas filled strut. If one of these fails it can get you in trouble quicker than the pulleys which will likely degrade very slowly over time. And, unless you have a way to test the tensioner it is difficult to know when they have degraded. Whereas the pulleys, or actually the bearings they spin on, can be more easily tested for loosness, roughness, etc.

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Yup, Paragon, Sunset and / or Rennbay are all good sources, just confirm that the belts are Gates and the mfg date is " fresh " .

Not sure if Dayco still makes belts for the 968 and if anyone sells them, but I believe at one time they were the OE as well and had a good repoutation for durability, as does Gates. But since Gates is now back as the OE for P- dealers, IMO it's probably the best bet..

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Yep, tensioner is pricey, but good idea. It adds up FAST!



(This engine has too many things that could fail and really ruin a day, IMHO. Anyone agree with that?)

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Not sure if this is really necessary, but after reading about a failure of one, I went ahead and replaced the timing belt pivot bolt the last time I did my belts. It wasn't easy to find. Not sure how often these fail, but it may be yet another piece to consider.

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