[Anchorman]

Today I brought my car to Pete/RS Barn for an oil change and a general checkover. I was impressed. He found a number of things that I would have hoped my OPC would have found - but obviously hadn't. So, assuming I can work out the logistics, my car will have the benefit of more attentive and observant care.



I think I just heard someone ask - what did Pete find?



Leaky power steering hose, and resultant deteriorated sway bar bushing (Flash - where did I put those replacement bushings?); broken steering rack boot (Jason - can I simply swap the one I got from you for mine, and then rebuild mine? how much mileage was on yours?); castor blocks (rubber is deteriorated); motor mounts (not terrible, but squashed by about 1-2mm more than desired); missing clutch inspection port cover; and then a few maintenance or upgrade things to be done.



All in all, a most worthwhile visit, and I thank Jay and Pete for giving me the opportunity.



Oh, I almost forgot - Pete pulled the belt cover to check things out and found the balance shaft belt to be WAY TOO LOOSE. He adjusted it, and we're hoping that it was the cause of an erratic cold start clacking noise. I should be good, though, until the timing belt change (and lots of other stuff) in the spring.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

that's very cool - pete is a great guy - i'm glad he got in there and took care of that for you



something that many people don't think about - if you run the car hard and/or at high revs (i.e. DE events and such), you need to adjust that belt more often



also, many people are not aware that the tension spec is different now, and tighter, with the "new" belt, than it used to be with the "old" belt - a lot of shadetree mechanics just tension their belt to what the manual says, and never have even seen the bulliten with the new spec - the results are not pretty

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[RS Barn]

I had a cool time going over Anchormans car. A few lessons learned. Dealerships and otherwise well respected repair centers are not always up to date on maintaining these cars. A good undercarrige checkup usually finds some maintainence items that need to be taken care of now and some that are on the do soon list.

"I think everybody needs to really keep a close look at the balance belt". They do require more adjustment than factory recomends and seem to be the cause of most timing belt failures when they jump off their drives and get tangled in the housing. I think Anchorman was a few moments away from that!!!

Happy New year.

Pete

RS Barn

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Mark]

Good to hear it was worth the drive. I've been trying to figure out a time when I can drive mine up there and leave it with him for as long as he needs. Now I have to wait to see if the buyout of my employer is gong to happen and if I still have a job if it does go through. The 90 days due diligence is up in mid February so it may be a late winter or early spring deal.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Anchorman]

It could be my imagination, but the engine seems to be - the only word I can come up with that fits is "nicer". It also started quietly this morning - too short a test period to know for sure, but the loose balance shaft belt might have been the cause of multiple subtle issues which - hopefully - are now gone.



THANKS, PETE.



Is there an Econocar rental place near you? That could be the solution for the spring, when you'll have the pleasure of doing a major engine overhaul (well, maybe not "major" to you, but it is to me). Some of the other stuff, though, we'll do earlier - in February, if we can schedule it.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[RS Barn]

I hope everthing has quieted down a bit. I can only believe engine noises are reduced with balance belt now within Pete's finger spec. Much better than floppy no spec.

Maybe we could work out a loaner (not Yellow car) during fix up time. The Polar Silver Bullit will be completed soon. You would have to drive a 300hp coupe. I know you're a cab guy but maybe you could regress!

Pete

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Anchorman]

Quite a suggestion, Pete. Yes, I'm a cab guy, but that's really an ownership issue. So, if we work it out and you're truly willing, that would be a delightful (and, possibly, a spoil-me-forever) arrangement.



After the new year, and before I leave on my January/February vacation trip, I'll be in touch to work out the things to be done on the next visit - primarily the steering and suspension items. The engine stuff will wait until spring.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[t2s2]

[quote name='RS Barn' date='Dec 29 2005, 10:14 PM']"I think everybody needs to really keep a close look at the balance belt". They do require more adjustment than factory recomends and seem to be the cause of most timing belt failures when they jump off their drives and get tangled in the housing. [right][post="13905"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



When I bought my 968 engine from a yard, I changed the belts before I installed it in my S2. When I pulled the cover, I discovered that the balance shaft belt had broken and had jammed itself inside the cover, but was not interfering with the timing belt. It appeared the car had been running for some time like this.



I am this weekend doing a belts/seals/waterpump replacement in conjunction with adding a set of Milledge cams. The car does abut 30 track events a year, so I tend to inspect the belts a couple times a season and replace them every other winter.



Terry

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Anchorman]

Now that I've seen how relatively easy it is to pull the belt cover, inspections will be done more frequently.



Pete - the intermittent cold start noise has not been cured, so the loose balance shaft belt was not the cause. More detective work will be needed.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Alter Ego]

I just want to second the recommendation of the RS BARN as both a repair and high performance shop in the Philly and Jersey regions specializing in 944/968s. I had a very similar experience to Anchorman's when i first dropped by to see Pete. He knows SO MUCH more about our cars than any other "PORSCHE SPECIALIST". (In the past, I have dealt with 3 such "specialists" with less than stellar results regarding my 968) Even though it is a 1-hour ride to his shop, I now will ONLY trust RS BARN with my baby. Two thumbs WAY UP!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Jason Judd]

Anchor,



Sorry it took so long to respond...I was away for a few weeks with my wife and kids in the BVI's and just got back.



That rack should go in 1-2-3...the pump is really new; maybe less than a year.



But, I guess that's already been handled by Pete by now.



Happy New Year,



Jason

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Anchorman]

Thanks, Jason. I hope everyone had a great time. This has not been handled by Pete yet, so the response is still timely. Will I see you at the Glen in May (ChinMotorsports, May 15-16)?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Jason Judd]

Will I see you at the Glen in May (ChinMotorsports, May 15-16)?

_________________



I certainly hope so! Now that Flash has you hooked up with the roll bar, you'll be set for the next run group, too!



Jason

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Anchorman]

That's right - watch out, Blue, here I come.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.