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Install wrong
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
There is a green o-ring on the VarioCam actuator that may have been installed wrong.
Leading evidence: 'Install wrong' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check possible oil seep there' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I reset the code with scan tool and it returned less than 100 miles later.
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Suggestion
I had a spare actuator apart the other day to clean it up.and re oil whilst in storage and remember you saying about the o ring previously so I looked for it but couldn't see one , could this be on vario plus only, when I stripped down I had the main body, two runners top and bottom where the chain pads fit on with a piston underneath that fits in the body , a spring which runs between the two runners inside the body and a black plastic dowel which sits inside the spring as a minimum height check, the only o ring I've seen fits under the chain pads unless I'm missing something ??
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Suggestion
I had a spare actuator apart the other day to clean it up.and re oil whilst in storage and remember you saying about the o ring previously so I looked for it but couldn't see one , could this be on vario plus only, when I stripped down I had the main body, two runners top and bottom where the chain pads fit on with a piston underneath that fits in the body , a spring which runs between the two runners inside the body and a black plastic dowel which sits inside the spring as a minimum height check, the only o ring I've seen fits under the chain pads unless I'm missing something ??
Replace entire variocam actuator assembly at nearly $1500 or b)
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Suggestion · Original poster
So Woth bank one can not advancing under all throttle conditions and an occasional sound from that same area that sound weird - almost like slack in a chain would you a) replace the entire variocam actuator assembly at nearly $1500 or b) replace just the actuator valve at $500.
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Suggestion · Original poster
So Woth bank one can not advancing under all throttle conditions and an occasional sound from that same area that sound weird - almost like slack in a chain would you a) replace the entire variocam actuator assembly at nearly $1500 or b) replace just the actuator valve at $500.
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20 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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I have searched and I have read and then I searched and read some more. For a week now. 01 996 39k miles and very well maintained. IMS done 2k miles ago. Getting p1341 bank 1 cam position sensor error. Scan tool at shop showed 20 deg advance at idle for cam #1. Can this be possible? I had a rodent sneak into my engine this past winter and I found one partially gnawed (but not damaged) wire. Can�t locate any others. Changed oil today and very clean. Kind of at a loss. I reset the code with scan tool and it returned less than 100 miles later. Reset one more time and same thing. Car idles and runs perfect. Help.
OP - If you have a decent scan tool, like PIWIS or Durametric, you can check if it is the sensor or the solenoid, both are on the camshaft cover, on your VarioCam unit. The timing advances as rpm climbs higher. The scan tool can test the bank 1 VarioCam operation against what the bank 2 side does in real time.
Had a few tiny green flakes in filter. This is all approximately 2k miles after IMS replaces by Porsche dealer. Found a thread on rennlist that started talking about this same issue p1341 or p1340 w/ germ flakes in oils but the thread went dead or off topic.
There is a green o-ring on the VarioCam actuator that may have been installed wrong. But an IMSB replacement doesn’t require even getting close to the cam covers. Before any unicorn hunts, pull up what the car is saying with a proper scan. The chain tensioners have green o-rings. Maybe a chain tensioner is not installed correctly, post IMS work. The chain adjuster (as the PET calls it) forward driver side bottom is for bank 1. Check for a possible oil seep there. If an o-ring is part of your problem, you might see that. Cam deviations, and the how and when they occur, will point you to a proper diagnosis. Plenty of threads on the topic of camshaft deviations.
You may have two unrelated issues. You say you had a chewed wire. Where did that wire go to? Why was IMSB replaced? A few green flakes may be nothing. A sump drop may show you more, if deeper digging’s required. Tensioner paddles are brown and black plastic bits, etc. I recommend you check your VarioCam function numbers and the camshaft deviations between banks.
Yes. Found a Porsche tech to scan it with proper tool. I�ve never seen tan, brown, black bits on the oil. Did the IMS just out of precaution. Had no symptoms or metal in the pan. I didn�t want to be one of the 8% or whatever it is. I have seen a couple aluminum (absolutely positive non-ferrous) in the filter. Back side of the couple shaving was actually green - like anodized or something. Anything in there green coated aluminum?
The Indy I stopped by scanned it real quick and said cam 1 was running 20 deg advanced but at an idle I�m not sure how that�s possible. Then they hit me with the.... well probably need a couple hours and our labor rate is...... not much discussion. I�ll have the Porsche tech run diagnostician hopefully this weekend and will post ASAP.
Could the variocam be stuck in the advanced position and not returned to normal when back at idle , I'm sure I've heard of this happening ?
In the retarded position the actuator is inflated and the chain ramps are pushed up high pulling the chains tighter which pulls back on the cam retarding it, at higher revs the actuator deflates dropping down allowing the chain to extend and the cam to advance , if it's not re inflated the cam will be stuck in an advanced state
He confirmed code p1341. Apparently this is a 5 chain motor so easy variocam actuator solenoid swap side for side isn�t accomplished easily. Cam #1 is sitting like permanently at 16kw (no idea what that is). The cam doesn�t appear to be advancing nor retarding through the rpm�s and there is an occasional rattle like sound in the area of the variocam. Maybe the actuator flopping around? Maybe leaving chain loose?? Tech is pretty sure it is the actuator assembly. I think we�re going to try that. Fingers crossed.
This is the beauty who is currently acting up.
So Woth bank one can not advancing under all throttle conditions and an occasional sound from that same area that sound weird - almost like slack in a chain would you a) replace the entire variocam actuator assembly at nearly $1500 or b) replace just the actuator valve at $500. Which would your opinion based upon experience tell you? The tech says he�s never seen either the assy or the valve bad in a 40k mile 911. (Side note - almost counterproductive to swap sides because you can�t just swap the solenoid - have to swap entire assy 5-chain motor apparently ). I appreciate your input and guidance.
The assemblies are different for both sides as well - make sure they get the right one...It's possible that the actuator can be cleaned, but probably not a chance you want to take considering the cost of the labor just to get to it.
The problem is, you won't know til you get there, and then you have to decide if you want to gamble... I know there was a thread either here or on Renntech - where someone was able to clean out the actuator assembly by submersing it in warm oil and working it back and forth (it's a hydraulic actuator) - dislodging debris that caused it to malfunction. The question is whether a Mechanic/Tech is going to try to fix it (doubtful) or just want to sell you a new part with a nice tidy markup added on...
There is a little green $ 0.10 O-ring inside the vario-cam actuator that causes this, as Hatchet correctly alluded to.
The green o-ring is not available except to buy the complete vario-cam assembly, and is not replaceable as far as I know (never tried it).. The vario-cam actuator is roughly $1k bucks...( Porsche tax included)
Hi PT3
I had a spare actuator apart the other day to clean it up.and re oil whilst in storage and remember you saying about the o ring previously so I looked for it but couldn't see one , could this be on vario plus only, when I stripped down I had the main body, two runners top and bottom where the chain pads fit on with a piston underneath that fits in the body , a spring which runs between the two runners inside the body and a black plastic dowel which sits inside the spring as a minimum height check, the only o ring I've seen fits under the chain pads unless I'm missing something ??
