[Nenehubert]

I apologize in advanced for my incompetence



So....... damn. Started taking my car apart for a front seal/timing belt/ waterpump job. Was checking cylinder #1 for TDC and.... this is what i found when i pulled the plug.







Sh*t.. I'm assuming head gasket, but then again it could be I need a ring job. What else do i need to buy to complete this tools/parts. Will i have engine damage damage? How do i go about telling this. The car ran fine and didn't blow smoke. no coolant in the oil and vice verca.



Any help is appreciated.



Sigh, and i thought everything was going to be alright.

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[Lemming]

I had the same scare early on, turns out that it is likely just the plug gaskets under the valve cover. Only a couple of bucks each from Paragon.

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[midblue]

Hey-I know it was shocking to see that but I wouldn't take it too hard. I had the same thing happen and I freaked as well. I was told at the time it was a simple fix (gaskets/seals around the plugs) and not to worry we would get to it the next time we did an inspection. Funny enough the next time we got in there to check on something else (months later) there was no oil there. The best explanation I got was the gaskets/seals sealed themselves! Not that I was buying that but the problem has not returned. I know it is easier said then done but from my experience it was not a big deal. Good luck!



Ron

94 coupe/6 speed



.....looks like Tim beat me to it!

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[Lemming]

Here's what you need.



http://www.paragon-products.com/product_p/....104.443.08.htm

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[Greimann]

Plus the valve cover gasket itself and some Hylomar sealant for the corners of the gasket where there are sharp transitions.

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[Nenehubert]

Awesome, thanks guys. I knew i didn't have to get bent out of shape. I'm going to pull the cover tomorrow to check if it's the gaskets. I can also check the tensioner pads so i can order them all at once if needed.



How will i be able to clean out the excess oil that's fallen into the cylinder?

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[Greimann]

[quote name='Nenehubert' date='Mar 7 2006, 05:22 PM']How will i be able to clean out the excess oil that's fallen into the cylinder?

[right][post="17041"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Just start the car and drive down the street. Oil in the cylinder is no big deal.

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[Nenehubert]

Can i continue with the belt change, and put the spark plug seals when they get here? Only takes 2 days for shipping. I also bought the tensioner pads, just in case. Would i need another valve cover gasket, or can i use the same one? Want to drive my car.. Only put 20 miles on it since i got home with it <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[BruceWard]

As these guys have said it it probably just the spark plug seals. Before you start changing the timing belt I suggest you inspect the variocam so you can decide if you want to change it while you are in there. I posted a little more info in your 968.net post http://65.61.16.109/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12128

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[Greimann]

[quote name='Nenehubert' date='Mar 7 2006, 05:49 PM']Can i continue with the belt change, and put the spark plug seals when they get here? Only takes 2 days for shipping. I also bought the tensioner pads, just in case. Would i need another valve cover gasket, or can i use the same one? Want to drive my car.. Only put 20 miles on it since i got home with it <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

[right][post="17043"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Work under the valve cover is independent of a belt job, so you can finish the belts if you want. Just know that if your chain pads are severely worn, or your cam teeth are gone, the belts have to come off again because you will need to remove the cams.



If your valve cover gasket is original, it would be a good idea to change it, but since it is rubber, you can re-use a new one if you have to crack the cover in the near future.

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[Nenehubert]

My cam sprocket back cover's paint is peeling. Also the part that the distributor cap connects to. Can i strip and paint these? What would be the best solution? You can see a bit of the peeling in the pictures i've posted.



I might get flamed for this. I still don't have the tensioner tool. Can i rely on the cam tensioner alone for the cam belt. Would i be able to use the good ole 110 degree twist method for the balance belt?.. could i also measure the distance with a straigt edge applying constant pressure? I Don't want to do anything to harm the car, and would love the reassurance of the tensioner. I would like to drive the car to them and have them re-tension the belts (want to avoid tow.. lack of eyehook for front-end).

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[6spcab]

[quote name='Nenehubert' date='Mar 7 2006, 10:44 PM']My cam sprocket back cover's paint is peeling. Also the part that the distributor cap connects to. Can i strip and paint these? What would be the best solution? You can see a bit of the peeling in the pictures i've posted.



I might get flamed for this. I still don't have the tensioner tool. Can i rely on the cam tensioner alone for the cam belt. Would i be able to use the good ole 110 degree twist method for the balance belt?.. could i also measure the distance with a straigt edge applying constant pressure? I Don't want to do anything to harm the car, and would love the reassurance of the tensioner. I would like to drive the car to them and have them re-tension the belts (want to avoid tow.. lack of eyehook for front-end).

[right][post="17059"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



While replacing my head gasket I went ahead and painted mine as well. Sanded it down first and then hit it with 4 coats of engine paint. Let it cure and installed it.



Pic can be seen about half way down the post

http://www.968forums.com/index.php?showtopic=1377

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[Greimann]

[quote name='Nenehubert' date='Mar 7 2006, 10:44 PM'].. I might get flamed for this. I still don't have the tensioner tool. Can i rely on the cam tensioner alone for the cam belt. Would i be able to use the good ole 110 degree twist method for the balance belt?..

[right][post="17059"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

I have done 3 belt jobs (on 3 different cars) without the tension tool and as far as I know, they are all still humming along, at least mine is (Gene, Doc?)



The tensioner takes care of the cam belt. No need to worry about that.



The balance belt can be done by feel with the twist method. Invariably if one does it by hand, you tend to set it "tight". That is a relative term because it is freaky loose when set properly. If you get some whine when it is dead cold, but it quiets down after a minute or two of driving, then it is OK. I like to think if it as an audio diagnostic of belt health.



My hunch is that because of the balance belt's tendency to whine when tight, Porsche spec'd the tension so carefully to make it quiet when cold, but still stay on the sprocket when warm. It would be hard to sell cars that shrieked like that right off the lot.

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[rustech]

[quote name='Greimann' date='Mar 8 2006, 08:52 AM']If you get some whine when it is dead cold, but it quiets down after a minute or two of driving, then it is OK.  I like to think if it as an audio diagnostic of belt health.

[right][post="17072"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



This I find to be the best way to set the tension. Listen carefully, and you can get it very close to proper.

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[earossi]

[quote name='Greimann' date='Mar 7 2006, 08:15 PM']Plus the valve cover gasket itself and some Hylomar sealant for the corners of the gasket where there are sharp transitions.

[right][post="17040"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]





Help me out. I am not familiar with Hylomar sealant. Can you give some more information on it and where to get it?



Thanks.



Ernie

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[Greimann]

Hylomar is the highest techiest sealant compound. Impervious to gasoline and oil. Much better than RTV when used as intended. RTV will eventually swell and soften when immersed in oil, but Hylomar stays tough. There are specific uses for each product so don't assume that one is a substitute for another.



In this application, put a few small dabs around the cam girdles where they have a sharp transition to the flat head flange. Helps insure sealing at those points. No need to smear the entire gasket as it seals well on its own.



Some info below. You can usually find it in the sealant aisle at mainstream autoparts stores like PepBoys

http://www.valco-cp.com/Hylomar.htm

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[frank moran]

[quote name='Greimann' date='Mar 8 2006, 10:52 AM']I have done 3 belt jobs (on 3 different cars) without the tension tool and as far as I know, they are all still humming along, at least mine is (Gene, Doc?)



The tensioner takes care of the cam belt. No need to worry about that.



The balance belt can be done by feel with the twist method. Invariably if one does it by hand, you tend to set it "tight". That is a relative term because it is freaky loose when set properly. If you get some whine when it is dead cold, but it quiets down after a minute or two of driving, then it is OK.  I like to think if it as an audio diagnostic of belt health.



My hunch is that because of the balance belt's tendency to whine when tight, Porsche spec'd the tension so carefully to make it quiet when cold, but still stay on the sprocket when warm. It would be hard to sell cars that shrieked like that right off the lot.

[right][post="17072"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

I agree 100%, the tensioner takes care of the Timing belt, the balance shaft belt is very loose, if it's even a bit tight is will howl like hell. I played with this a couple of times, right after I bought the car I did the belts and rollers, shortly after I pulled the head, rings etc. and put the balance shaft on loose and it worked out fine. Nice and quite. No gauge.

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[Nenehubert]

Ok... since this is the first time setting my engine to TDC i have a question. My camshaft mark is where it should be, Cylinder #1 is all the way up, and i can see the notch in the flywheel peep hole, it's not all the way centered but i can see it in the hole. Here is a pic... macro mode didn't want to help me today.













Just don't want to do anything stupid.

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[Greimann]

So what is your question?



Here is mine. Do you have the flywheel lock installed?

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[Nenehubert]

[quote name='Greimann' date='Mar 11 2006, 07:24 PM']So what is your  question?



Here is mine. Do you have the flywheel lock installed?

[right][post="17219"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Sorry about that. I was wondering if i was at TDC so i could install the flywheel lock. Just double checking, didn't want to make any mistakes. Replaced the valve cover gasket and spark plug gaskets earlier.

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