Chain tensioners/variocam pads

Timing chain tensioners and variocam pads: 1. Not broken, don't fix it. 2. Replace as service items at a certain mileage

If you bought the car used, it helps a lot if you've got a service history. If you don't have the service history it's always a crapshoot. In my case I got a CEL which led to me getting a Durametric, which got me a "Camshaft deviation out of spec" code 1341. This in turn led me on a rather circuitous path to a bunch of fixes (including an IMS Solution). In hindsight, I'm thinking that whoever changed the pads previously (they had definitely been changed because they didn't show enough wear for an engine with the mileage on mine -I'm speculating around 100k) just didn't time the cams with much precision - maybe just by eye. I used the proper timing tools, so I'm hoping I got it right/back in spec. So, in short what I'm trying to say is - unless you're getting a code related to the pads, it's not something that you would just jump into for "no reason". As for mileage -that may be considered a legitimate reason, but I'm not sure what that mileage is. In my case it clearly wouldn't apply, because I'm not sure of the mileage on my engine.

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I was chatting my with local Porsche shop, and they serviced an M96 that was throwing a CEL for being out on cam timing, did ONLY an IMS change because of a damaged seal that had been discovered during a previous clutch job (IIRC), and by customer request and instance to do nothing else. Now the cam timing is perfect.

It's one of the notable risk points; quite a few of the cars with material in the oil filters traces back to the plastic chain guides/tensioners. Cam deviation on both banks was "0" during my IMS pre-inspection about 12k miles ago @74k, so it's not a big concern for me at the moment. As I get closer to 100k it'll get more attention & likely an appointment with my indy to swap in some new OEM units & verify everything is in spec. I'd like to run this car for as long as possible before going down rebuild row.

Does not look like a fun job...Dporto has a great thread on his progress. I am trying to learn this through osmosis...and research here! Obviously a topic worth keeping an eye on. Durametric sounds like a good tool to add to the collection. Chris

I understood chain tensioners would need replacement at 80k miles (130-140k km) approximately so in principle I am scheduling replacement. They do wear thru lifetime. Not sure on variocam pads.

Cam chain tensioners are not too bad , the ims and bank 1-3 are easily accessible from underneath, just lock engine in TDC and you can remove them, pump up the new one by submerging in oil and depressing the plunger until it goes hard then whack it in with a new washer!! Bank 4-6 tensioner is on top and hard to get at with engine in but possible by removing certain bits for access, you can find more info on here! A rattle on startup is the sign of wear if no rattle your good! Cam vario pads different ball game, cam covers off cams out etc , you need to know what to do and have the right tools but is a doable job if you can wrench a bit !

Well, I just found out I need new pads when having the solenoid replaced on bank 2 (passenger side). So if I didn�t do it now, I�d have to do it soon, as they also found some tensioner pad material in the oil filter (which is normally quite clean). Now I might have to go back to the other bank and do those, which arguably should have been done when I had that solenoid replaced in 2019. It�s a tough question to answer - when is a good time to replace these. My cam deviation numbers have always been good (within 2), so that really wasn�t an indicator.

I'm doing research on replacing the variocam chain tensioner guide pads. I have small black pieces in the oil pan and oil filter, though not much. I'm sure it's in a thread, and I've been reading several threads. No chain chatter on start up, so I believe the tensioners are good. I have found a lot of conversation on Chain Tensioner replacement, but not the pads on the variocam. Some folks are saying that the variocam pads tend to wear out quicker than the others and are to be replaced every 50K miles or 20 years. Somewhere I read that the 996.2 engine the Variocam guides can be replaced without dropping the engine. I would like to find out more about that. Reviving this thread as to not have a new on on the same topic. If there are other thread I would be interested in finding it. Thanks for your help!

Also interested, but for a 3.4

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I have found a lot of info on the 3.4. That engine, I believe, does have to be dropped. The five chain system has two sets of pads for the Variocam. The three chain engine with Variocam plus only has one chain guide on the outside.

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here's what I've found for reference. More about tensioners than chain guides, but they are related. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...sioners-2.html https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...sioners-2.html

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Here is one from De Jeeper. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-backward.html

3.4l vario cam work can be done without dropping engine if you are good with tools and have mechanical knowledge. If you have black plastic in the filter or sump it is most likely coming from the IMS chain tensioner paddle , it is the only black plastic component in the engine that contacts a chain. That will require a complete engine tear down to replace. The timing chain tensioner pads are a dark brown / Caramel color and the cam to cam Chain - vario cam pads are also brown/ caramel color.

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how about the black Tensioner blades? Those are black. I found some black small bits in my oil filer but they were soft, silicone.

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the timing chain pads/ramps in my car are the same color as the Vario cam pads ( dark brown). Not sure what color they are new but maybe after years of being in hot oil they dye themselves. The black rubber is likely gasket material.