Link to Timing Belt Change document

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1odX47_456qLA4ENGCe4TMe3et0TCWRy14e6fxUOCoOc/edit?hl=en_US

This is a document that I created to make the process of changing the timing belt go more smoothly.  I'll continue to refine it as necessary.

-Eric

Forgot to reconnect air flow sensor -- running better now

I discovered last night after the last post that I hadn't correctly reinserted the air flow sensor when reinstalling the air box.  I took the car for its first drive after the new timing belt -- result:  very nice!  It felt smoother and tighter with no startup difficulty like before.  The old timing belt seemed to be causing some problems until the engine heated up.  Now I have one remaining issue -- RPM dependent belt noise, but I suspect that this is coming from my new alternator or power steering belts.  Today I'll pull off the oil drip pan and do some adjustment of the two accessory belts.  I don't intend to do any adjustment to the timing belts until the 1000 mile check up in a month or two.  Basically, I am very grateful to the following sources for providing invaluable information to me during the install process:

Mr. Van Svenson

Clark's Garage Website

http://www.clarks-garage.com/

Reassemled Car, losing power when trying to drive it

Although I'm pretty confident that my TDC marks were lined up when installing both the timing belt and the balance shaft belt, I seem to have a problem with tensioning.  When I start to drive the car it almost dies on me.  If allowed to idle, it will run at 900 RPMs or so without any strange noises.  If however, I try to shift in to gear and load the engine, it almost dies.  Weird!  I thought I had it down, but obviously I have much yet to learn.

Here are some sites that I'm referencing to address this problem:

http://www.arnnworx.com/tensioningbelts.htm
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=232723&page=5
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091122141052AAUh4Iy

Random thought:  It thinks its ironic that the Porsche 9201 tensioning tool has what looks like a dollar sign on it.  Very telling as these baby's run about 650 smackers.

Image from http://clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/eng-10.htm

Setting the timing on a new timing belt

I have been struggling to get the timing right when putting the new belt on.  I pulled the old belt off at TDC, but now I don't seem to be able to maintain alignment between the flywheel TDC mark and the one on the Cam sprocket.


Here are some observations:
Tiiming belt has 117 teeth at a tooth spacing of 10mm
One online source has stated that the timing belt should be removed/installed at 10 degrees before TDC

After turning the engine over 2 times, my flywheel timing lags the cam sprocket by a few teeth of cam sprocket. (Cam sprocket is aligned by flywheel requires another 2 teeth worth of Cam sprocket rotation to align within the notch.)

So the big question now is does it matter that the engine is at TDC vs TDC minus 10 degrees?

Timing Belt Change in Progress

I've got the balance shaft belt off, the balance shaft tensioner and idler.  I've also pulled off the timing belt idler.  I see in this picture of a 16 valve engine (provided by Mr. Van Svensen) that there is a second timing belt idler that I don't have on my engine.  I don't know if it was originally missing or just not required for my engine spec.  I suspect that I'm going to need it!

 

Porsche 944 Turbo (similar layout)

Enrolling at Babson, looking for places to stay in Boston

After some soul searching about whether or not I wanted to wait another year to apply to the top 10 schools, I decided to go with Babson, which is not as well known perhaps, but still seems like a solid school.  I'm going through the Craigslist search process to locate housing near Needham or Wellesley, MA.

Timing belt postponed, working on Cruise Control

I know it's not good to divert attention away from a crucial issue, but I really want cruise control.  Today I visited Pick-and-Pull (7600 Stockton in Sac) to pull a servo and control unit from an 85 944.

The cruise control system appears pretty straight forward, but like the sunroof, I've heard complaints about it.  That makes me think:  When do you ever hear good news about a design?  When you hear nothing at all!  How often do you hear people raving:  "What a fantastic design this Bicycle!"

Cruise Control Parts:
Servo Motor (check)
Control Unit (check)
Clutch Switch (Forgot this initially)
Turn-signal switch (I need a black one, but brown can work...)
Cable with attachment hardware (check)

Accepted to Babson

I'm very happy to report that I have one acceptance letter.  Unfortunately, I have only a few days to decide on whether to accept that offer or not!  Deadline is 7/8/2011!

Babson College F.W. Olin School of Business

Babson is close to sailing!

Considering Law School