Your engine uses a serpentine belt to power the accessories like the power steering and water pumps. Over time, the belt gets worn out and can slip or even break. Visually inspect your serpentine belt for cracks, fraying, and other damage. In any case, it is a good idea to replace your serpentine belt according to the manufacturer’s recommended service interval.
While this is a fairly straight forward DIY, you will need to have some experience working on cars or mechanical aptitude and patience to replace the serpentine belt yourself. If you are unsure, please visit a certified Porsche dealership or independent mechanic.
To get an overview of the procedure, you can check out the above video from YouTuber, Van Svenson. While the video is for a Porsche 996, the engine and the procedure for the 997 is very similar. Detailed steps can be found below.
- Porsche OE Serpentine Belt - P/N: 99610215166
- Drive Belt Upper Idler Pulley for Manual Transmission Vehicle - P/N: 99710211800 (if needed)
- Drive Belt Lower Idler Pulley for Manual Transmission Vehicle - P/N: 99710211900 (if needed)
- Drive Belt Idler Pulley for Tiptronic Transmission Vehicle - P/N: 99610211958 (if needed)
Intake Air Hose Clamp: 7.5 ft-lbs (or hand tighten just snug)
Step 1: Prepare your vehicle and work area.
- Ensure engine is cold, so you don’t burn yourself.
- Gather parts and tools.
- Put on eye protection and gloves.
- Open engine cover.
Step 2: Remove the engine air box.
To get an overview of the air box removal, check out this video from Kro50019. Detailed steps can be found below:
- Loosen clamp that holds engine air filter hose to throttle body using a flat head screwdriver.
- Disconnect the MAF sensor plug by depressing two plastic tabs (opposite sides from one another) and pulling out the plug
- Remove the MAF sensor plug’s wiring harness from the clip attaching it to the air filter box.
- Disconnect the vacuum solenoid plug by pressing down on the metal spring clip, then pull the plug straight out.
- Disconnect the vacuum line going into the vacuum solenoid by simply pulling it out.
- Pop off engine oil filler, which clips onto the engine air filter box.
- You should now be able to pull up on the engine air filter box and remove it.
Step 3: Cover the throttle body and air intake hose to prevent debris from getting inside.
Step 4: Remove the serpentine belt.
- Now, the serpentine belt should be revealed.
- IMPORTANT: Take a picture of the arrangement, so you know how the new serpentine belt should go.
- To remove the old serpentine belt, use a 24mm socket and breaker bar to turn the tensioner pulley clockwise; this will reduce the tension on the serpentine belt, so you can pull it out.
- Pull the old serpentine belt out.
- Inspect each of the pulleys; if any of the pulleys do not spin freely or have excess play, it is a good idea to replace them.
Step 5: Install the new serpentine belt.
- Re-route the new serpentine belt in the exact same pattern as the original.
- To get the new belt completely on, turn the tensioner pulley clockwise again.
- Once the new serpentine belt is in place, release the tensioner pulley.
Step 6: Reinstall everything in reverse.
- Don’t forget to clean up your work area and put away your tools.
- You’re all done!
