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YOUR RESEARCH18 hours to fix leaking camshaft solenoids on both banks?
Leading reported evidence
Check wear
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Suggestion
Have the tech check the wear on the cam solenoid guides when the covers are removed.
18 hours to fix leaking camshaft solenoids on both banks?
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Leading evidence: 'Check wear' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check wear' (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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Suggestion
IIRC, my dealer recommended replacing the entire tensioner (which I beleive comes with the solenoid), for which the part alone was $7xx.00.
18 hours to fix leaking camshaft solenoids on both banks?
Replace solenoids
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18 hours to fix leaking camshaft solenoids on both banks?
Reseal covers.....the engine does not have
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Suggestion
if they show excessive signs of wear (grooved) then I would replace them while you are in there to reseal the covers.....the engine does not have to come out for covers.
18 hours to fix leaking camshaft solenoids on both banks?
Reseal would be about 18hours labor
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Suggestion
At my dealer camcover reseal would be about 18hours labor for both sides and ?I wouldnt pull the engine for that...
18 hours to fix leaking camshaft solenoids on both banks?
Reseal covers.....the engine does not have
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Suggestion
if they show excessive signs of wear (grooved) then I would replace them while you are in there to reseal the covers.....the engine does not have to come out for covers.
18 hours to fix leaking camshaft solenoids on both banks?
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I went through this with my MY00 C2, and got the same answer. I don't know how to copy threads, but if you do a search with my name (Stefan), there is a "New Owner" thread dated 3/21 or 27/ 07, which describes my experience.
Stefan
Yes, the engine has to come out in order to get the cam covers off and to properly remove and install the new solenoids, because the cams have to come out . You do have a vario cam system and not a vario cam plus right? What year 996?
IIRC, my dealer recommended replacing the entire tensioner (which I beleive comes with the solenoid), for which the part alone was $7xx.00. And, since you have the engine out, might as well do both sides??$$ plus any other "might as wells".
Stefan
Your question indicates that the covers are leaking....which is a simple, inexpensive repair. Are you now saying that one of the solenoids is not working?
I won't go to far with this but it is possible to do them in the car if the covers are what is leaking. At my dealer camcover reseal would be about 18hours labor for both sides and ?I wouldnt pull the engine for that...
After you have done a Search and found the thread you want, just Right Click on the thread titel and select Copy Shortcut in the pop-up window. Then when you get ready to post a comment, simply right click again but this time select Paset in the pop-up window.
Thanks everyone for their inputs. I spoke to the service rep and he confirmed that it is not just the covers that are leaking, but the inner solenoid seal.
No that is not a simple replacement on your 1999 996 if you had a newer style engine with variocam plus then it would be an easy replacement.
Yes there is a way to lower the engine so that you can facilitate the removalof the cam covers and yes (with the right tech) you can replace those solenoids while the engine is lowered in the car.
Have the tech check the wear on the cam solenoid guides when the covers are removed. if they show excessive signs of wear (grooved) then I would replace them while you are in there to reseal the covers.....the engine does not have to come out for covers. The tricky part is the scavenger pump for bank 1, all that has to be done is loosen the engine mounts and ease (with a large pry bar) the engine forward and it slides right out...
That is exactly the way I feel about the RMS too. Too much panic over a drip of oil, it is a machine, it will leak eventually.
Cars are about the only machines that can actually go a long time without leaking oil, take a look at heavy equipment and airplanes. They leak all the time from almost day one they are built. Totally normal.
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