11-26-2012, 03:25 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 867
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Would you replace this drive belt?
2000 Boxster S, 26K miles, taking care of a variety of little items prior to putting the car away for the winter. Pulled the front engine cover and this is how the belt looks:
I have a replacement belt on hand, but the current belt (to my eye, anyway) looks good. Should I just go ahead and replace it, or wait a year or two??
Appreciate your thoughts.
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2000 Boxster S, 6 speed, Sport Package, Litronics, LED tail lights, LNE IMS-B, OBC, Skybreaker wind deflector, Arctic Silver/Graphite Grey
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11-26-2012, 03:58 PM
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#2
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Ex Esso kid
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NY
Posts: 1,605
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I would add age to your final decision, it's very low mileage but old and it's been subjected to heat a long while now. It's certainly true that a visual check can sometimes reveal small cracks or show something else that would cause you to change it. However, it's also true that a belt can look good and still be near replacement time. If I was sitting on one and had it apart I'd change it.
Last edited by Ghostrider 310; 11-26-2012 at 04:00 PM.
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11-26-2012, 04:07 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ohio
Posts: 86
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Belt
It's so easy and cheap to replace. I would change it. I did for our 2000 base with 24000mi.
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11-26-2012, 04:45 PM
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#4
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Certified Boxster Addict
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
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12 years old. Definitely replace regardless of visual condition.
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1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
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11-26-2012, 06:06 PM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Frederick MD
Posts: 658
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I'll play devil's advocate. If it's not slipping, making noise or showing other signs of failure I'd leave it alone. Ask yourself what the risk is? When is the last time you heard of a catostrophic serpine belt failure, especially without months of warning signs? Save the new belt until the old one (keep it in a climate comtrolled environment) actually shows signs of wear (which will likely be a while).
I may sound cheap, but a hate to see perfectly serviceable parts scraped for no reason. It's not like you have to remove the tranny or engine to get to it.
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11-26-2012, 06:12 PM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Guelph, ON
Posts: 981
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My moto is, 'if you have to question replacing it - replace it' otherwise you'll drive yourself nuts thinking/worrying about it! LOL I mean its $35 not $3500... besides put the new one on, piece of mind and toss the old good looking one behind the spare tire as a spare
__________________
_________________________________________
Previously owned:
2000 Boxster S 3.2 Ocean Blue / 1974 911 Targa Silver
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11-26-2012, 06:28 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Nampa, ID.
Posts: 488
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Yes. When I purchased my 2K S 23 months ago with 48K mikes the belt was one of the first thing to get changed. Time is not on your side with this part. Put the belt on now or at least in the spring when you do your spring service.
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2000 Boxster S
And then there are the Motorcycles.
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11-26-2012, 06:28 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: DFW
Posts: 381
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WWPD?
What would Porsche do?
Replace it, no hesitation.
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11-26-2012, 06:57 PM
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#9
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Theoretical propagandist
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 793
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Change it and keep it as an emergency back up.
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When life throws you curves, aim for the apex...
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11-26-2012, 09:10 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Concord, CA
Posts: 271
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DFW02S
WWPD?
What would Porsche do?
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Answer: charge you 4x the actual cost, change it, and add 5 other items to the bill?
What do I win for the right answer?
Comet
__________________
Michael Comet - www.comet-cartoons.com
2014 Guards Red Cayman S - PSE - PASM - 20"CC - INFTMT - CONV - etc..etc...
SOLD - 2003 Speed Yellow Porsche Boxster S - LNE IMS - Klisstle Rollbar Cover
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11-27-2012, 03:38 AM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 867
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric G
Change it and keep it as an emergency back up.
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We have a winner! Thanks to everyone for your comments. Even though it looks good, it is 12 years old and I have a new one on hand. I'll change it out and throw the old one in the trunk.
__________________
2000 Boxster S, 6 speed, Sport Package, Litronics, LED tail lights, LNE IMS-B, OBC, Skybreaker wind deflector, Arctic Silver/Graphite Grey
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11-27-2012, 04:32 AM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Posts: 1,561
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Change the belt. And while you are in there, change the waterpump, thermostat, and coolant. About $300 in parts.
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11-27-2012, 06:09 AM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCAL
Posts: 237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kjc2050
We have a winner! Thanks to everyone for your comments. Even though it looks good, it is 12 years old and I have a new one on hand. I'll change it out and throw the old one in the trunk.
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Make sure you mark the direction of rotation on the old belt if you ever plan on reusing it.
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11-27-2012, 11:09 AM
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#14
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Autobahn Glanz
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,282
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I can't believe I'm saying this...I am the guy that has changed everything regardless. But that belt looks/is in really good shape...put the new one in the trunk as a back up
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11-27-2012, 01:57 PM
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#15
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Custom User Title Here
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ft. Leonard Wood
Posts: 6,163
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If it ain't broke...
There will be plenty of warning signs before it fails, none of which I see. Just a matter of preference, I suppose, but I'd put the new one in the frunk as a spare. If you're worried about it enough to change it, are you really going to want to keep it as a spare?
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11-27-2012, 03:40 PM
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Posts: 1,561
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The belt is not a service item based on miles alone. It's time dependant, too. Your belt is +12 years old. As is your waterpump......and coolant. They all need to be changed.
The day your belt (or waterpump) fails, it will NOT be on a sunny day, in your garage, with all the necessary tools, on your day off with nuttin to do.
We ask a lot of our cars. I know I do. Treat 'em right.
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11-27-2012, 05:23 PM
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#17
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 867
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I changed the belt tonight, in addition to completing my IMS Guardian installation. In the end, my gut told me that years trump mileage, and as long as I had the cover off and I had a new belt on hand, it was time to change it.
Thanks for all your comments! I'll put a long post in the DIY section on the IMS-G install, including a bunch of photos, sometime in the next week or so.
The water pump? I'll tackle that sometime next year. The car goes to bed for the winter in another few days...
__________________
2000 Boxster S, 6 speed, Sport Package, Litronics, LED tail lights, LNE IMS-B, OBC, Skybreaker wind deflector, Arctic Silver/Graphite Grey
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