Is this repair quote for Code P1531 insane or not 1999 911 C2

Hi all, so I had a code P1531 code and check engine light come on on my 1999 911 C2. I took it in to a local repair shop for a diagnostic and they got back with a $6100 quote. I'm trying to see if I'm insane here, what my options are, etc. They details of this quote are below. I have no real sense of whether this is reasonable. I read on some other forums about P1531 code and didn't find that much good info. At the end of the day, if I have to pay that much I will, but I'm always one to double check. I've called a few other spots too but they're probably going to charge me a similar diagnostic charge and not give me a quote on the backend until they do it themselves. So ideally looking to check myself before I shop around with you all. Any insights appreciated.

Here is some discussion on P1531 https://rennlist.com/forums/boxster-...ank-1-a-2.html

I had the same code when I bought mine in 2018...I pulled the gasket off the variocam unit and replaced it. Oil leak and code went away. So before you spent $1,000s on a repair, try the $20 fix to see if that works.

That is a little high, but depending on where you live, it is entirely possible. The chain actuator is getting very expensive now and getting into the engine to change that needs all the things that you listed (I am assuming Chain Tensioner means Variocam Actuator )

At this point on 25 year old cars that code is usually due to failing O-rings in the vario-cam Tensioner/adjuster .. The vario-cam tensioners/adjusters can now be rebuilt with an O-ring kit from Hartech/Slakker for $125 each instead of buying new for $1700 each... At this point I would have them both rebuilt with new vario-cam pads and 4th-5th timing chains.... That estimate looks as if it is only addressing one side with a new $1700 Tensioner/adjuster ..... I would look for shop that knows how to "rebuild" the Tensioners/adjusters and is more familiar with the M96 engines...Then the $6K repair estimate would be justified.......JMO

Quotes source post: 19954883

If it were my personal car, I would absolutely rebuild those actuator orings. But if I owned a shop, and it were a customer's car, I am not so sure I want to take on the responsibility of a rebuild like that. I would find it more assuring to send it away to a known rebuilder who has done 100 of those. I no longer buy rebuild clutches, or do rebuild expensive (i.e. Ferrari) water pumps, because having to re-do the job takes all the profit out of it. My response to people who asked me is ... you want me to work on your car, bring factory clutch packs or factory water pumps. You want to save money, do the job yourself.

Quotes source post: 19955209

I see your point. I just am a bit different due to my background. I can see where it is beneficial for a Shop with multiple Technicians of varying Skills would want to just replace them for $1700 ..each.. But I have worked in Dealerships since 1974 as a FoMoCo Master Tech, a Mitsubishi Master Tech , and a Porsche Gold Meister Tech.....Back in the 70's 80's we rebuilt everything . Carburetors, Alternators, Starters ect.. .In 79-80 the precursor to EFI was a Variable Venturii Carburetor that was used on 5.0 engines. I was one of only two Techs in the State that could rebuild them. They had a big 2" diaphragm in the back that would get a pin hole it them and run like crap ( Like the AOS diaphragm) ...Techs got paid on labor only and just replacing parts didn't pay well, but rebuilding paid good and saved the customers $$$$...I would rebuild 4 of those VV Carbs a day ( with spark plugs filters ect) 2 before lunch and 2 after lunch...Same with Alternators and Starters... it only paid .5 hours to replace but paid 1.5 hours to rebuild... Rebuilding Alternators and Starters was easy....just dissemble on the bench and test out all components replace bearing and brushes and whatever else was needed like Stators, Armatures, Bendix, Rectifiers, Windings, Commentators ect...The only reason we stopped doing it was when the newer Denso and Bosch components started being used they wouldn't supply any internal parts... Never had any problem with "comebacks" ...the Shop was very Service Orientated and frowned on Comebacks..If a Tech had a problem with comebacks not only were they loosing $$ by have to fix for free but they got fired for reputation damage...lol The Actuators are easy to rebuild just have to press down on the piston before trying to remove the big wire lock.... Back 10-15 years ago I did many of these Vario-Cam Actuators for 10 hours labor,( for both sides) . I think we were at $100-$125 hr Shop Rate...But maybe you are right, maybe there are no Techs out there like me.......

Quotes source post: 19954883

Agree with this. On my car, it was just the solenoid, and I actually had a different shop do the work. Please note there are a total of 4 pads (top and bottom each side) when replacing pads on this 4th and 5th timing chains. Those pads become brittle over time and cause start to lose material that show up in little brown pieces that can clog oil pathways causing the actuators to fail. In my case, it burned up a solenoid twice over a 6 month period.

Quotes source post: 19955675

Not many techs out there like you, that is true. It's also true that a Porsche dealer would not rebuild those expensive actuators. They simply just replace them at $1700 each side.

Quotes source post: 19955675

Maybe Porsche realized it was easier to multiply parts prices by 4 in 20 years and make margin on the parts, avoid the liability on rebuilt parts, and process more cars in a given time. It's a shame, but as long as the customer is OK with this, things won't change.

Quotes source post: 19956376

For sure some of that is true. But Porsche really has no liability on " shop rebuilt parts" That liability is solely on the individual Franchise Dealership ....The Dealer has to "prove" to Porsche that a particular factory part was defective and not a sub-par Tech's fault or else Porsche will not pay the Warranty Claim....the Dealer has to "eat" the re-peat repair... The fact is that all "Factory Dealerships" really don't even want a Service Department .....They just want to sell cars .period.... The actual Factory Manufacturers have to force Dealers to Service/Repair the cars by Contract before they are allowed to sell new cars .. There was always a struggle between the Techs, the Dealership, and the Factory....and the Techs usually loose overall as can be seen by the disparity between Shop Rates and Tech Pay....It has gone form 50% to the Techs in the 70's to about 15-20% for the Techs nowadays... I was the Union President for 2 decades back in the 80's 90's for the only Union Shop in my State...Before that Techs didn't even get paid vacations or Holidays or Health Insurance.. ..we had to negotiate a Contract with the Dealer to get any Benefits at all ...I have been in dozens of yearly negotiations where the Dealer said they wish they didn't even have the Service Department ...Even though the profit from the Service Dept. paid the rent, power bill, phone bill, water bill, ect...They would still say during negotiations that they would rather just sell cars and nothing else....

Enlightening contribution!