suburban99

My Boxster has several CEL codes all related to right Bank cylinder 1-3. Engine is at TDC cylinder 1...After removing cam cover for the 3rd time I see that the timing marks on the intake camshaft have jumped 1/2 link...

The bright chain link on the exhaust (lower) camshaft is directly above the dot on the exhaust camshaft. The bright link on the intake camshaft is 1/2 link out...

I assume that the timing marks should always be the same position no matter where the varia cam is?

-I assume this could cause a PO341 and a missfire in bank 1?

-What could cause this to happen?

What do you think??

Thanks guys I will look at those when I have a time . I have more pages to learn about my boxster..hehehe

Mine did the same and it was the Serpentine belt pulleys idler pulleys. I replaced the bearings in them only as the complete pulley is about $50-$60. If you have a vise and some sockets they are very easy to replaced. Standard bearings available at any bearing supply, about $8.00 each.

Clear your fault codes and report back the new fault codes.

Ok, I ordered new plugs and 3 new coils from Sunset. Changed bank 1 plugs and installed new coils.

Cleared codes. Drove car about 3-4 miles. No CEL light on. Checked codes with my code reader... Had PO341 only. Cleared codes...

Put license on off my other car and drove about 15-20 miles up to 120km per hour.

Car has way more power...

No CEL light, but checked codes anyway. Still have

P0341 Camshaft Position Sensor 1 - Signal Implausible, Short to Ground, Short to B+

P1313 Misfire, Cylinder 1, Emission Relevant

P1314 Misfire, Cylinder 2, Emission Relevant

P1315 Misfire, Cylinder 3, Emission Relevant

P1319 Misfire, Emission Relevant

Wiring checks out ok, have 4.98v at pin 1-3 on Camshaft sensor plug. Center wire is not shorted to ground.

Camshaft Sensor is swapped from left bank and thought to be good.

Varia Cam appears to be working as I can feel it at about 5200rpm (feels like a 4 barrel carb opening)

Could the magnet for sensor have fallen off the camshaft? Or lost it's magnetism? Now I am really guessing...

Idle is a bit rough, but better than before.

If I did not have an OBD II reader I would assume all is well as no CEL light on...

My Boxster has got a cigarette smell inside. Any products you know of to remove it?

Ok will check.

What about CMP?

P0341 Camshaft Position Sensor 1 - Signal Implausible, Short to Ground, Short to B+

Potential causes:

- No power supply.---------------got power

- Short circuit to B+.-------------no short detected

- Short circuit to ground.-------- no short to ground

- CMP sensor faulty

I guess CMP is faulty? Even though I switched it from left bank and it was not causing error codes on left side?

I checked Pins 1-3 wih key on and sensor unplugged it has 4.98v.

Sensor was swapped from left bank a few weeks ago. I believe it is good as no error code on left side...

Also checked pin 2 to ground and it is open...what's next?

Pulled 1-3 plugs and they are now fouled. Checked coil extentions that pull off coils and no continuity on them.

Plugs are bosch FR6?...I thought they should be FR7?

That is a key on measurement.

Got it. Thank You.

Should be +5 VDC between pin 1 and pin 3.

Key on engine off? Or engine running?

Thanks

Thanks Loren,

When I re-installed the coils after doing the Varia Cam they did not seem to snap onto the spark plugs..

Plugs are not fouled, but may be incorrect..I will check again.

I inadventantly got the wiring for coil #3 caught in the cover and had to repair the harness after installing cam cover. But is is soldered and heat shrunk.

For PO341 I have checked the wiring as per my Bentley manual

It is called Hall sensor #1 in Bentley.

Re/VI on plug ohmed ok to pin 53 of ecm. (5v supply)

Re/GR on plug ohmed ok to pin 21 of ecm. (hall sensor signal)

Br/PK on plug ohmed ok to pin 34 of ecm. (ground sensors)

I did not ohm any of the pins to ground.... what is B+?

Is CMP sensor the Camshaft Position Sensor?

Thanks..

Had a whack of codes in my 1997 Boxter pointing to Varia cam problem.

Changed Varia Cam solenoid bank 1 and resealed cam cover in car.

Car runs better, however when I checked for codes after a short drive I got

P1319-misfire emmision relevant

P1313-misfire cylinder 1 emission relevant

P1314-misfire cylinder 2 emission relevant

P1315-misfire cylinder 3 emission relevant

P0341- camshaft position sensor 1

CEL light not on, but may be I did not drive it far enough (car not licensed yet)

Car idles rougher as it warms up. I did not change sparkplugs yet as I wanted to solve Varia Cam problem first.

Before changing Varia Cam solenoid I have switched Camshaft position sensors from Bank 1 to 2 and still have PO341. I have ohmed out wiring for Camshaft sensor to ecm and it is ok.

I cleared codes and ran again and now have all the same codes but PO130 has come up...o2 sensor ahead of cat.

After changing variacam is there a reset procedure? Other than clearing codes or disconnecting battery?

Wiring for Varia Cam solenoid was checked to ecm before I bought new solenoid.

Could all these problems be the o2 sensor? Need input as I am stumped>>>

Here's a pictures of the tool I used to hold cams in place. Approx 4.5" center to center. But I cut a slot in the steel and slid them in until they fit the cams and then welded in place.

All done from inside car through engine access hole.

If you order one, there may be enough forum members to rent it to, so that you can recoup some of your investment.

Check out you tube video of boxster engine rebuild...he uses a piece of ABS plastic pipe a mallet and a caliper guage for the depth...I have done many over the years

never on a porsche..but the very same method he uses was taught to me in Millwright school 20+years ago. If you are worried about getting a seal too deep, buy 2 and

pull out the first one if needed.

I'm expecting a boat load of parts for my '84 911 next week from Sunset. They are BY FAR the cheapest place I've found for OEM stuff. Great service and their prices can't be beat.

Thanks for the tip on Mobil 1 0W-40! I'll be getting my next oil change stuff from them!

I just got a bunch of stuff as well from Sunset. Aaron in parts is Great! Front Engine mount $147.23 Vario Cam solenoid $126.57 clutch pedal pads $3.88

A couple more pictures

Excellent photos with great tips on one of those jobs that dealers would really soak you! :clapping:

Looking forward to seeing details of the cam holding tool.

Regards, Maurice.

Received my parts from Sunset Imports today..Great price and service...Installed new Variocam Solenoid and tested old one. Re-installed cam cover and will finish up tomorow.

Very difficult to get the oil pump back on. Had to use grease to hold o-ring in place but difficult to line up oil pump drive to slot in camshaft. Not much room to work.

Will change out front engine mount tomorrow and get engine bolted back in car. Hopefully error codes gone. Bench tested old solenoid and it functions but not under pressure.

I held it down on my workbench with my thumb and applied 12v to the leads, and it would barely click. I tried the same thing with the new solenoid and could not hold it too the bench.

Lets hope problem solved.

What can I use for Cam cover sealant?

Manual Says loctite 5900 or 3 bond 1209

I ordered a bunch of parts from Sunset and forgot the sealant.

Can a good RTV be used instead?

Remember that you will need a special Porsche tool if you remove the cam covers. If you don't HAVE the tool DO NOT REMOVE THE COVERS! Sometimes you can just remove the bolts(one at a time) and re- seal those and this will cure your problem...

Made the special tool, got the new solenoid from Sunset imports (geat service and price) and re-installed cover tonight with loctite 518.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=25471

I choose Loctite 518. Its by far the best sealant I have experienced for the cam covers to date, including the Porsche sealant.

We use 518 at work for sealing flanges on our hydraulic press. Good stuff, never thought of using it..:)

What can I use for Cam cover sealant?

Manual Says loctite 5900 or 3 bond 1209

I ordered a bunch of parts from Sunset and forgot the sealant.

Can a good RTV be used instead?

A couple more pictures

I am curently swapping my Bank 1 Vario Cam solenoid in car. I expect the parts to be here in a week or so.

I am also changing the front engine mount at the same time, so I left it out to allow engine movement up and down for ease of cam cover removal.

I built myself a cam holding tool as the porsche one is quite expensive. At the end of the job I will post dimensions of the tool for others to use.

Solenoid can be changed with engine in car. It took me about 3 hours to removed cam cover with tool installed. Engine needs to be dropped

an inch or 2 to allow access to top bolts. I had to swing the rear transmission support piece out of the way to allow cam cover to be pulled down and off.

I could not acces the 4th bolt as my jackstand was in the way. I could not get the spark plug tubes, but had to remove them before cam cover would come off.

I broke 2 of the 3 tubes...as engine was cold. Exhaust system was not removed at all. Rear tire removed.

There are two faceplates on eBay presently. Example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-911...sspagenameZWDVW

My Radio is a CR 210...where is the radio serial number?

I know that if it's the CDR-220, any CDR-220 faceplate will work. You just have to punch in the radio's security code when you put it on. The codes are matched to the radio's serial number, not the faceplates.

(If it is a CDR-220, PM me because I have an extra one in the closet with a broken CD player.)

How do I know what faceplate/security code the car had from the factory?

Well, it is either a cassette (CR-210) or CD player (CDR-220).

You might even be able to find a cheap CDR-220 on eBay. They show up there every so often.

I have the 6 disc changer and amp under the front hood....if that helps tell which one.

I know that if it's the CDR-220, any CDR-220 faceplate will work. You just have to punch in the radio's security code when you put it on. The codes are matched to the radio's serial number, not the faceplates.

(If it is a CDR-220, PM me because I have an extra one in the closet with a broken CD player.)

How do I know what faceplate/security code the car had from the factory?

When I bought my Boxster (1997) the radio faceplate had been stolen at the car lot.

Can I get one from an auto wrecker? What would the procedure be to re-initiate in my car?

Is the theft code part of the faceplate or part of the radio itself?

I guess I want to know if I buy a faceplate with the code will it work?

Checked wiring for the Variacam solenoid. Pin 52 of the ecm to Plug for sensor is Ok.

Pin 54 on ecm to other wire on plug for sensor...ok

Solenoid checks out ok...could solenoid still be the problem..sticky?

Thanks, I received my Bentley last night.

Will ohm out pin 52 (camshaft adjustment) of the ecm to the solenoid plug.

Will also ohm out pins for the camshaft sensor on Bank 1