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YOUR RESEARCHVarioCam Pad Replacement
Leading reported evidence
Replace by a previous owner in 2014 along
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
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0
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0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
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Read evidence and context
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I have changed the 1-3 and IMS chain tensioners and the IMS bearing was replaced by a previous owner in 2014 along with the RMS and clutch.
Leading evidence: 'Replace by a previous owner in 2014 along' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace by a previous owner in 2014 along' (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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Replace by only removing the cam covers, as opposed
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
I was finally able to find a workshop manual to see if I can figure out what parts - especially plastic ones - can be removed/replaced by only removing the cam covers, as opposed to entire heads.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion
As soon as my second camshaft locking tool arrives, I'll just open things up and figure it out, after replacing the IMS bearing.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion · Original poster
My winter project is to replace the Vario Cam pads and chains.
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Suggestion
"You are looking at a 5 chain illustrated parts breakdown, the 3 chain (2002+) does not have these chain adjusters at all, valve timing is constantly varied by use of a vane cel adjuster on the nose of the intake camshaft." Which could be the reason no one talks about it.
Replace by only removing the cam covers, as opposed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I was finally able to find a workshop manual to see if I can figure out what parts - especially plastic ones - can be removed/replaced by only removing the cam covers, as opposed to entire heads.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
"You are looking at a 5 chain illustrated parts breakdown, the 3 chain (2002+) does not have these chain adjusters at all, valve timing is constantly varied by use of a vane cel adjuster on the nose of the intake camshaft." Which could be the reason no one talks about it.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
15 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T083035Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hello all,
My winter project is to replace the Vario Cam pads and chains. My deviation on bank 1 is just above -7 and bank 2 is -2. For anybody that has done this before, can you provide a list of what is needed to do this job? I haven't come across much in my search for a comprehensive list outlining all that would be needed. Dropping the engine will be quite the endeavor and just want to get my ducks in a row before I start. I have the service manual and will be using this as well as the Youtube videos from Man in a Garage.
Thanks all!
Scott
You don't need to drop the engine unless there are other reasons. What you need is:
1. Cam timing tools, cam holding tools, crank holding tool
2, Compression tool for the tensioner
3. and assortment of hand tools necessary for the service of a Porsche 997, including a sufficiently large socket for the chain tensioner (I think 32mm?)
You Tube
If you need a step-by-step guide for this procedure with parts/tools list, purchase Jake Raby's Focus On: M9X Engine Assembly learning package. There is a specific stage in the video series that covers 5-chain camshaft actuator wear pads and assembly.
https://www.theknowledgegruppe.com
As for dropping the engine i can have mine out on jack stands in the driveway in about 3-4 hours. Trying to do this work with the engine in the car is extremely hard and will probably take more time that that. And trying to get the cam timing tool, etc. in place is very had to do, particularly in bank 2. And while the engine is out you can do lots of other work.
In for info. Should have my Durametric cable in the mail tomorrow.
Does the OP have chain rattle at startup with "that much" deviation? Have you scoped your bores through the sump pan to see if its worth doing all this work on your engine? Current mileage?
The topic seems to come up often, but very rarely do I find anything on the 3-chain engines. Searching the forum has only yielded 5-chain engines so far. Any insight or tip would be greatly appreciated
I am in the same exact boat. Lots on 5 chains. Not much on three chains. Why do you want to do this job?
I was scouring this weekend and found this.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...tensioner.html
Towards the bottom is a comment from Jake Raby. "You are looking at a 5 chain illustrated parts breakdown, the 3 chain (2002+) does not have these chain adjusters at all, valve timing is constantly varied by use of a vane cel adjuster on the nose of the intake camshaft." Which could be the reason no one talks about it.
I've got the 3 chain and plastic guide pieces in the pan. Hopefully we can figure this out together.
@DGI
, I have scoped the cylinders from the sump and it looks good. If you search my posts, I included the pictures of each cylinder. In both instances, I discovered nothing in my sump from the pads. I have changed the 1-3 and IMS chain tensioners and the IMS bearing was replaced by a previous owner in 2014 along with the RMS and clutch. I hope this helps. I get slight chain rattle on startup.
All, due to the global supply chain issues and increasing prices on what seems like everything, I am unable to get a lift at a reasonable price if I can get one at all. I have decided to get the work contracted out by a trusted shop in the PDX area. I will report back what was found when she goes under the knife in November.
Same situation here with 2 plastic pieces in the sump. I was finally able to find a workshop manual to see if I can figure out what parts - especially plastic ones - can be removed/replaced by only removing the cam covers, as opposed to entire heads. And yes the reference you list is one of the confusing factors to me. I'm not new to wrenching, just new to this engine, and trying to plan ahead and be more meticulous before diving in. I have another thread on the list of issues I'm tackling, including this one. If I get anywhere good from the WSM, I'll pm you, though I'm not too hopeful, because the factory often takes the route of complete tear down
Is the reason no one really talks about the 3 chain chain guides because it's so straight forward? Do you just have to drop the engine, pull the covers, and it's all right there?
What's the WSM? To me it's a TV station out of Chicago.
All is well,
Don't know if it's straight forward and we're making too much of it. As soon as my second camshaft locking tool arrives, I'll just open things up and figure it out, after replacing the IMS bearing. This will also give my back injury more time. My engine is already out of the car. WSM is Workshop Manual. I should've mentioned "factory WSM". What I have is single .pdf of 8300 pages and haven't found the right page(s) yet
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