986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post

The Radium King · 10-05-2016, 09:50 AM

yeah man, you may be headed down the wrong path?

here is a crash course in how all this cam adjuster shizzle works ...

computer sends a signal to the solenoid.
solenoid activates the acuator.
actuator pushes on pads that adjust chain tension and modify camshaft postion.
camshaft position sensor sees this and sends a signal back to the computer.

any and all of this stuff can fail; wiring, pads, solenoids, actuators, position sensors. most of this stuff is expensive to access in order to diagnose (you have to open the engine to see it). some of this stuff is expensive to buy (actuators are $1000 each and you need two).

so, you have to look at all the signs and symptoms in order to make the right call before you spend big $. failed actuator - often green rubber in your oil. failed pads - often brown plastic in the oil. did your mechanic check your oil filter? error codes - you are getting 0341 and 0343 - do you know what this means? 'implausible signal' (read here - http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/21644-cam-position-sensor-po341.html) so, not too high or too low (which would be caused by failure of other components such as pads, solenoids, etc.) but 'implausible' - ie, open or closed circuit, or intermittent signal, due to faulty wiring, corroded connector, etc.

gelb is right.

10-05-2016, 09:50 AM	#9
The Radium King Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 3,121	yeah man, you may be headed down the wrong path? here is a crash course in how all this cam adjuster shizzle works ... computer sends a signal to the solenoid. solenoid activates the acuator. actuator pushes on pads that adjust chain tension and modify camshaft postion. camshaft position sensor sees this and sends a signal back to the computer. any and all of this stuff can fail; wiring, pads, solenoids, actuators, position sensors. most of this stuff is expensive to access in order to diagnose (you have to open the engine to see it). some of this stuff is expensive to buy (actuators are $1000 each and you need two). so, you have to look at all the signs and symptoms in order to make the right call before you spend big $. failed actuator - often green rubber in your oil. failed pads - often brown plastic in the oil. did your mechanic check your oil filter? error codes - you are getting 0341 and 0343 - do you know what this means? 'implausible signal' (read here - http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/21644-cam-position-sensor-po341.html) so, not too high or too low (which would be caused by failure of other components such as pads, solenoids, etc.) but 'implausible' - ie, open or closed circuit, or intermittent signal, due to faulty wiring, corroded connector, etc. gelb is right.