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So still getting this error code. Here's what's been done to identify cause.
Found left side off approx 10 degrees from expected value in the retard direction, right side is fine, by using durametric. Replaced left side cam tensioner adjustor solenoid with no change. Swapped cam position sensors, no change. Used two scan tools to cross-check with same results.
Using a tool from F6I (for replacing IMSB) manually checked physical alignment of both cams and it looks like the left bank cam is off by about 10 degrees. and the cam couldn't be rotated by hand.
Next recommendation is to remove the cam cover and see what is in there. That might entail dropping the engine, so expensive.
The engine was rebuilt 16k miles ago and it is hard to imagine that the shop would not have assembled the engine correctly with new parts.
I'm not sure about the chain, how would i be able to tell?, I'll have to research that, it's a 3.6 taken out to a 3.8.. By "cam couldn't be rotated" I mean there wasn't any slack in the chain that would allow the cam to be rotated with the hand tool, so pretty sure the chain hasn't stretched..
So the diagnosis is coming back that the likely culprit is:"In this case it sounds like the intake vane cell adjuster may be sticking".It's definitely not the chain stretching, it's a motorsports grade timing chain, made by IWIS in these engines.
My local shop quoted me about 10 hrs labor and $450 for the part..That's about $2k worth of work. Anyone ever replace one of these, is the estimate in the ballpark?
Yes, your's is a 3.6 so 3-chain variocam plus engine. To remove that intake cam vane adjuster requires removing the cam cover, cams, and then re-time the engine. The quote sounds reasonable to me.
Maybe give Scott a call at McIlvain in Tempe? He has a great labor rate and super easy to deal with and they do not nickel and dime you. They do a ton of 996 and 986 work and they are genuinely nice guys and explain everything really well.
So an update on my car. Just had an opportunity to have the camshaft actuator for Bank 1 replaced. That was the problem, apparently these fail (stick) every so often and it just happened to happen on my car. Nothing to do with the rebuild, just a Porsche part that failed (where have I heard that before). Here's what it looks like, the small pieces are the vanes that are internal, just removed for inspection. This part sits on the end of the camshaft with the chain on it and, as I understand, it is the device that makes the variocam vario, advancing the cam. There was internal wear that could only be seen by disassembling the part and one or more vanes was sticking, thus the cam couldn't advance or return.
Yep, it was billed at 10 hrs labor. The camshaft actuator was $490 and maybe another $100 for misc other parts (gaskets, freight,.etc.) Was repaired end of April and 4k miles later no problem. Sorry you are seeing the same thing. I had three quality sources advise it was the camshaft actuator, esp since the camshaft was 10 degrees retarded and was not changing. Not sure what other items cause this error. For sure if you have the engine opened up make sure they check to camshaft retard to make sure it was the same problem i had.
