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.
Fortunately, replacing the serpentine belt yourself on a Porsche 996 is very straight forward. To get an overview of the procedure, you can check out the above video from YouTuber, Van Svenson. Detailed steps can be found below.
Tools Required:
Parts Required:
- 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)
Torque Specs & Fluid Capacities:
Intake Air Hose Clamp: 7.5 ft-lbs (or hand tighten just snug)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare your vehicle and work area
- Ensure engine is cold, so you don’t burn yourself.
- Put on eye protection and gloves.
- Gather parts and tools.
- Open engine cover.
Step 2: Remove the engine air box
- 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.
- Remove the 13mm bolt holding the airbox in place.
- 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!
