brokke

We had a CEL on a 2004 996 with a error code "Check camshaft timming or Variocam". It appeared to be a stuck variocam lifter on cilinder number 4. Anyone ever heard of such a fault?

redridge

maybe you have a bad sensor... how does it run?

judd944

I saw a 997 with that fault today at the dealer. the lifter could not be adjusted. it was fine at high rpm but at low rpm it had a few misfire errors.
sorry to say the engine was out of the car and there was a lot of parts on the table.

brokke

One of the lifters for cilinder 4 was stuck, frozen in the 'high rpm' position. The engine was misfiring at low rpm, run perfect at high rpm.

htny

It's good to hear they actually opened up the top end! 5 years ago that would have been "ship it back for a replacement motor" and wound up on the internet as an "engine failure"

dallasboats

What oil are you running? Does car sit for long periods of time?

racer

I had a similar failure on my Boxster. Mine was a broken "variocam actuator". CEL came on. ABout 100 miles later it wouldn't idle. Has a failsafe position to prevent catastrophic failure. For me, it was a $700 or so part and a bunch more in labor to R&R the part and reset timing etc.

Steven C.

Just for informational purposes my car is in the shop today with a #6 bad lifter. Low rpm position not working and CEL Remove top of head and replace all right side lifters is Porsche's strong recomendation so here we go. Also needs a water pump...Happy New Year!

Almost ruined a great day as my 1 1/2 year race car project is getting painted finally......Nope, still a great day

gota911

Steve, ****, no wonder you offered to sell me your car last Saturday!!! Just kidding. Sorry to hear about he lifters and the water pump.

Can't wait to see the race car! You did have it painted blue, right???

Steven C.

That was Sunday when we were together so that and the blue comment tells me the meds are working

gota911

Oh yeah, it was Sunday!

Well, to be honest, I am really glad I was only one day off. When you don't have a job, every day is "today," yesterday never happened and tomorrow doesn't exist. However, I still remember the 7 days of the week; Dopey, Sleepy, Sneezy, Happy, Grumpy, Bashful, and Doc. Let me double check 1... 2... 3... yup, got all 7!

Steven C.

Very nice! Now you can go play with the other children......

Tippy

I think I'd rather change the lifters than the water pump. That was a serious PITA. The shade tree came out me and I had about a 4 ft long tamping bar wedged between the motor plate and the engine to gain clearance. But, maybe it was because mine was a Tiptronic? Never messed with a manual car.

Anyways, sorry to hear Steven...that is some major work.......

Steven C.

Yes Cory, you are braver than me trying the water pump as mine is a tip also. Window regulators, brakes, headlight switches and serpentine belt is my limit.