Repair time? Camshaft adjuster

Hi, does anyone know what the standard repair time is for a Porsche workshop to replace the camshaft adjuster on a 2002 996 3.6 non Turbo? That job is being done for me now and I would like to have some guidance for when the bill comes in. It is the gear on the end of the camshaft that is actuated by the solenoid to change the cam timing a little, it is not returning properly and whilst the engine runs very well when cold and in the upper revs when hot it is very rough and stalls when it comes back to idle and the Tech says the cam angle on that cam "stays advanced a few degrees". And the solenoids have both been replaced, no change, same problem. So it needs a new adjuster and I understand it can be done with the engine in the car. If it makes any difference when standing at the rear of the car looking forward it is the right hand bank Thanks

please let me know how it turns out for you, have similar sympotms, sometimes with trouble starting the car as well.

double post...edited

I do not have an answer to your question but curious what estimates did the shop/tech give you BEFORE you authorized/approved repairs to start?

Mmm... rough estimate, could be up to $3500 AUD and did not ask for firm quote because: measure of trust understanding that such repairs are rarely "open & shut", especially with a 160,000 mile car the workshop is always very busy but particularly so now because they have builders in and a few bays are unavailable so less likely to pad a job (which I do not think they would do anyway)

Over a year ago, maybe 2 years (or longer?) had the passenger side VarioCam solenoid and actuator replaced in my 2002 Boxster. At a local dealer's service department. Cost was roughly $3K. The work was done with the engine in the car. My info is the 996 solenoid is easy to replace, but the actuator is buried and well, it takes time to unbury then bury it.

Thanks Macster, that gives me a way of working the numbers. What I was perhaps looking for is the "warranty time" or whatever Porsche call it, and that comes from my experience with Toyota 30 years ago where they had repair times for just about every job being what could be claimed by the dealership if the work was done under warranty, and the times allowed were not too tight, they were achievable by the average Tech. Thanks again and I will post the "report" when all done.

Quotes source post: 12154913

The time portion was around 10 hours labor at $150/hour. The solenoid and actuator were believe it or not nearly as expensive at the labor. I do not recall if I had anything else done at the same time. I sometimes do have 2 (or more) things done when the car is in for something.

all finished, car running really well had a lot of extra work done, and without mentioning the little jobs done along the way: Replace the timing gear (the original job/problem) And obviously the engine came out because of the other work that I wanted done at the same time fit new rear main oil seal fit intermediate shaft bearing upgrade fit new chain tensioners, all three new flywheel, and crankshaft pilot bearing new clutch, and pivot point and throwout arm new gearbox mount new air oil separator new coolant pressure tank and cap Replace every radiator/coolant hose excepting the ones at the front new water pump new drive belt new thermostat/housing fresh coolant new filters, fresh engine oil, fresh gearbox oil (spark plugs and coils were all replaced recently) re-gas the air-conditioner and on the outside replace the two small spoilers at the front of the rear wheel arch, they had road damage replace one of the front wheel arch spoilers, also road damage full wheel alignment (cautionary measure because new tires recently) labour was way above 20 hours but they cut it back to 20 hours for me car is running well, as it should, it's just turned over 200,000 km and still does not use any oil between changes. recently overhauled brake calipers and put new pad/rotors/ warning sensors only a couple of jobs to do now: am going to do the vertex oil pump drive key modification so a drip of oil goes into the IMS shaft (have already removed the seals from the bearing) really need to replace the radio -- often the CD player won't read, very frustrating, have tried cleaning it but only works sometimes, it has got the "standard" Becker CDR 23 with an amplifier in the front, any suggestions and in particular I would prefer to have something that has "changeable" lights so that I can get them to match the rest of the dashboard re-gas the rear Targa window struts, they are okay most of the time but just sometimes the window drops to half-mast so after 13 years the seals are still holding most of the pressure so replacement might be overkill and a re-pressurise/refill may get me a few more years there are two arms on the front suspension that have a bit of wear because occasionally at low speed over rough roads is a slight knocking noise, the technician who did the test drive and checking when all the engine work was done said I should do that (pity � the wheel alignment has already been done but oh well not a major problem) other than those couple of little things the car is really well sorted, the Targa is without doubt the most usable sports car I have ever had, over the years the car has transported everything from motorcycle frames to large/heavy suitcases and although we have another car far more suitable for those tasks occasionally it just works out really well to have that carrying capacity. so, any suggestions on a replacement radio and can anybody point me in the direction of the wiring adapter kit, I really don't listen to music and only catch the news on the radio and listen to "talking books" so fine audio sensitivity et cetera is not essential.

Wow. Congrats it sounds like your car is almost new at this point. Porsche just came out with a new "Porsche Classic" head unit for older cars. http://www.porsche.com/uk/accessorie...ghlights/navi/ http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/po...c-sports-cars/ http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t...r=asc&start=50 Might be worth checking out.

Who done the work for you?

Porsche Centre Melbourne

While I would be interested to see the # on that bill, I certainly wouldn't want to pay it... Good luck with 'er!

Yep, it was expensive but in the scheme of things it was very reasonable because I've had the car for six years and 120,000 km and at 200,000 km it still gives me great pleasure, there is the added benefit of my wife liking the car, it's the first Porsche that she really likes travelling in particularly on long trips with the targa top open. Planning on having it for a few more years, and although I may have repeated it here or somewhere else there are a lot of reasons why this car just suits me: the targa top is the best having a full-size spare tire is essential in outback Australia although the car is parked outside all the time the paintwork has stood up amazingly well, just good quality I suppose (and the top being all glass probably helps, because roof paint does suffer a bit) the upholstery and interior are still in very good condition everything works now that I have the tire pressures worked out it does not chew up rear tires any more (simple as running factory pressures on the front and factory pressures less 4 psi on the rear which gives even wear across the rear, has 18 inch wheels and running Yokohama's) when travelling on a long trip I can put the seat back and it is comfortable for a snooze have I told you how much I love my Porsche?