[jns211]

I just hit 60,000 miles and replaced my serpentine belt.

It was difficult to find information on how to complete this task for the 4-cylinder 718 series of Caymans & Boxsters, so I decided to compose the attached PDF document to help other members of the forum.

Please note that you will need a 30mm socket to operate the belt tensioner. During my research I found that most of the older Boxster and Cayman vehicles use a 24mm socket which is way too small for our 718 4-cylinder vehicles.

The 30mm large socket is only real "special" tool you will need. All of the other equipment will more than likely already be in your tool collection.

Please feel free to make additions and/or comments that might help others complete this task.

Thank you and Happy Porsching!

 

[Señor]

Good info, Thanks!

 

[Lostpilot28]

Wow! You are a lifesaver! Thanks for the instructions...I just hit 60,000 miles and was going over the inspection steps. Wasn't sure how I was going to do the drive belt part, but figured I'd search here to see if anyone tackled it.

You, my man, are a rockstar.

 

[Optical TDI]

Thx jns211. Did you replace the tensioner? What condition was the old belt? I have 28k miles but it’s a 2017, so thinking of replacing based on time.

 

[Scrounger]

Great write up.

Many thanks

 

[Scribbler]

Thank you jns211! I've got a long way to go before I get to 60k but I really appreciate the effort of documenting the process. I saved the file in my maintenance folder but at the rate I'm going it might sit there for 8 or 10 years before I need it. Hopefully, when I'm 60 something, I'll still be able to change a belt.

 

[jns211]

Thx jns211. Did you replace the tensioner? What condition was the old belt? I have 28k miles but it’s a 2017, so thinking of replacing based on time.

You're welcome. This forum was a big help when I was shopping for my 718 years ago, so I'm happy to be able to contribute something back to the 718 community.

I did not replace the tensioner, only the belt, and I did not see any "bad" wear on the old belt after 59,000 miles / 3 years of use / 6 PCA HPDE track weekends.

Honestly, the only difference I could tell with my eyes (not a precise measurement tool) was that the old belt was dirty and the new one was not.

I'll let other more experienced Porsche owners & mechanics chime in, but I think this might be another task (like spark plugs) where the maintenance interval is somewhat "early" for most vehicles.

While researching this topic, I found that replacing all the pulleys and the tensioner is a somewhat common task for higher mileage 987 Caymans.

Replacing all the pulleys and tensioner looks like a significantly more time consuming job, so I hope our cars don't need that level of maintenance for a very long time.

 

[Lostpilot28]

I'll provide my notes for a Cayman 718 (base)...it was barely different than the instructions provided (much thanks for those...they made the job MUCH easier).

First thing (steps 1 and 2 in the PDF) - the trim and carpet in the Cayman is a little different. I removed the plastic corner pieces (seat belts go through these, so they just hang there), then the side molding plastic piece below that. They all just pop off. Then I removed the "brushed aluminum" cross bar (4x Torx bolts), and the plastic trim piece underneath it. Lastly, the carpet piece just comes right out...no clips or anything.

The engine noise speaker is a little different looking..it looks like a plastic puck. Just unclip the wire plug...no need to remove the speaker itself. That's it for step 3.

Step 4 is the same, except all the bolts holding the panel on are 10mm bolts.

The rest is just working the belt out (it's a very tight fit). With the tension off the tensioner (30mm socket) the belt slips off the tensioner first.
I found the following sequence for removing the belt to be easy:
Starting with the top left pulley
Bottom left pulley
Top right (A/C I think)
Bottom middle (Crank?)
Last was the 2nd pulley wheel that doesn't attach to anything next to the tensioner.

Reinstalling was the opposite sequence...it goes pretty easily, but I found bare hands work better to twist the belt so it can slide between tight spaces. Gloved hands weren't working for me.

In all I think it took me about an hour and a half. About the same difficulty as removing/replacing the air filter. It's not a hard job at all...just tight space.

I do wonder what the dealership charges for this! I think I just paid for my speeding ticket 10 fold.

Thanks again to the OP for the instructions!

 

[denial512]

I guess since the belt is not easily inspected, that 60k miles, replace it, because of the work required to inspect it, might as well replace.
That said, on all my other cars, I will hear squealing before breakage, but when it breaks, as long as you pull aside and stop the car, you are ok.

Is this not the case with porsche/718?

 

[Treemagnet]

I guess since the belt is not easily inspected, that 60k miles, replace it, because of the work required to inspect it, might as well replace.
That said, on all my other cars, I will hear squealing before breakage, but when it breaks, as long as you pull aside and stop the car, you are ok.

Is this not the case with porsche/718?

I'm married and thus a high probability I'm wrong...regardless, it's my understanding that once the belt breaks, the valves and pistons are likely meet with catastrophic results. YMMV.

 

[ndmiller]

I'm married and thus a high probability I'm wrong...regardless, it's my understanding that once the belt breaks, the valves and pistons are likely meet with catastrophic results. YMMV.

That's for internal belt or chain inside the engine. If this belt breaks it can still cause damage flapping around and you'll lose alternator, water pump?, and AC I think.

 

[MartyMcFly]

I do wonder what the dealership charges for this! I think I just paid for my speeding ticket 10 fold.

I was just quoted $2,600 by Porsche of South Austin for the 60K service. He stated that it is the same price for any 718 trim.

 

[denial512]

Probably half of that is for spark plugs.. this doesn't seem off for Porsche dealership.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Probably half of that is for spark plugs.. this doesn't seem off for Porsche dealership.

I see the 512 in your name. Any "licensed repair facility" alternatives you'd recommend around Austin? I would do it myself, but don't want to void my overpriced Porsche Vehicle Service Protection (VSP) 😅😅😅

 

[denial512]

Sorry, all DIY here so far. Perhaps some other forum member has recommendations.

 

[Lostpilot28]

Could be half spark plugs, but that's easier than the belt. $2,600 is insane...makes me feel fortunate that I'm able to do it myself.

 

[ecko04]

I’d like to add something to this thread since I just did this work today on my 2017 with 24,000 miles — replaced the belt due to age, not mileage.

The belt for the 2.0 is a 6-run 72 5/8” belt. Be very careful if you opt not to go with the Porsche belt. The Porsche belt is made by Continental.

Continental’s branded belt is 4060715, but this belt is about an inch too short at 71.5".
It's virtually impossible to get that 71.5" belt over the pulleys and the tensioner. I quit after 2 hours of swearing and went to the local auto parts store to pick up the correct-sized belt, which is snug but identical to the original Porsche belt.

If you have the correct belt, and the necessary 30mm socket with a 24” breaker bar, and it’s the only maintenance you have planned it is doable in less than 90 mins.

I contemplated replacing the tensioner but aside from being a bit dirty, I didn’t see any abnormal wear. Everything was pretty tight with no wobble. I gave everything a nice wipe-down. I’ll inspect next year and if I notice leaking grease from the tensioner, I’ll either replace it myself or finally use my Fidelity Platinum extended service plan.

 

[reiver]

^^^ nice job but why at that mileage? A belt out of direct sunlight will not degrade...is there some 'warning' about that that I have missed?

Would you have the part number for the proper 5/8 sized belt?

 

[ecko04]

^^^ nice job but why at that mileage? A belt out of direct sunlight will not degrade...is there some 'warning' about that that I have missed?

Would you have the part number for the proper 5/8 sized belt?

I’m just following the recommended maintenance. 6 yrs or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

I replaced spark plugs last year at 22,000 miles.

Yes, the correct Porsche (again for the base 2.0) part number is 9A2-102-224-00.

If someone lives on the ragged edge and believes they don't need to spend 3x for a belt, Gates, ACDELCO, and MasterPro all have correctly sized 6-rib belts in 72 5/8" that can be had for 1/2 to 1/3 the price of the Porsche belt.

 

[reiver]

Thanks, was unaware of the 6 year deal....most only go by mileage but I have changed plugs etc. due to time also