Cam Pad Service?

[JSWR450]

Hello Everyone,

I've been lurking on this site for a while. My wife has a 2000 Boxster S with about 75000 miles on it. We bought it used with 50,000 miles and have changed the oil quite a few times (3,000-5,000 mile intervals), put two new O2 sensors on it (each at a different time), had the 60,000 mile service done at a Porsche shop and replaced the brakes. We're taking the car into the shop this weekend to get a new clutch and the IMS retrofit bearing from LN put in as preventative maintenance.

I've been reading about cam pad wear and replacement. I've searched quite a bit, and can't find a clear answer as to how much the service might cost? Does anyone have an estimate? Does it need to be done on our model?

I know some would say that the car is basically worn out but I still want to keep the car and right now it runs perfectly (the clutch seems fine too)....

Thanks for any feedback.

[Topless]

Cam pad???
Are you talking about timing chain tensioners and guides?

[JSWR450]

Hi Topless,

Thank you for your reply.

I guess I'm talking about the guide and tensioners. To be honest I don't really know, I'm just trying to keep my wife's car from grenading....

I posted the question after reading this on the flat 6 website:

"Replace vario-cam wear pads and the 4th and 5th timing chains at 40K miles if your car is an 01 or earlier 996 or an 02 or earlier Boxster." (http://www.flat6innovations.com/pre-failure-directives)

[JFP in PA]

I believe that Jake is referring to the small chain tensioning paddles that guide the cam to cam chains on the five chain early motors (the brown shoe like device just to the right of the extension shaft in the picture, under the cam to cam chain).





This is not difficult, but does require quite a bit of work as they are under the cam covers and requires locking the cams down while swapping them out. Expect this type of work to go well north of $1,000.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by JSWR450

Hi Topless,

Thank you for your reply.

I guess I'm talking about the guide and tensioners. To be honest I don't really know, I'm just trying to keep my wife's car from grenading....

I posted the question after reading this on the flat 6 website:

"Replace vario-cam wear pads and the 4th and 5th timing chains at 40K miles if your car is an 01 or earlier 996 or an 02 or earlier Boxster." (http://www.flat6innovations.com/pre-failure-directives)

You should have the cam timing deviation checked before the IMS bearing upgrade & then after to be sure it has not degraded & judge condition of other internal wear parts that effect cam timing. You should also have them install new upgraded IMS chain tensioner. These are inexpensive preventive maintenance steps.

[JSWR450]

Thank you guys for the advise.

I'll be talking to the mechanic about getting an upgraded IMS chain tensioner, checking cam deviation, and we might spring for new cam tensioning paddles while it's under the knife. It's a lot cheaper than a new car and we really love the Boxster. I know I can't fix everything that might go wrong but I want to do the things that we'll regret not doing if something happened....

Thanks again.

[clickman]

You should do the rear main seal while you have the tranny out.

[JSWR450]

Originally Posted by clickman

You should do the rear main seal while you have the tranny out.

Definitely going to do the RMS, great suggestion. Dropped the car off at the shop yesterday. They're going to start on the work tomorrow.

Any thoughts on doing the water pump. Can I wait until later or is this another preventative must do?

Thanks for everyone's help!

[jotoole]

Definitely do the water pump.

I'm on pump #3 at 88,000 mi on my 2000 base. They seem to be good for 30,000 mi or 3 years. Would replace mine at either benchmark.

Failed pump can leave broken impeller pieces circulating through cooling system possibly causing a blockage. The overheating can also cause a cracked head, which may show up later.

[jaykay]

I had always assumed that the engine had to be dropped to get access to chains tensioners, wear pads...how many more hours would this involve over dropping the transmission

[JSWR450]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to follow up on this posting.

After pulling the IMS bearing today my mechanic, Michael at 9 Elf Motorsports, said that the IMS bearing in my car was definitely failing and that I am really lucky. He's saving the bearing to show me and hopefully I can post pictures on the forum when I get the car back.

I asked about the chain tensioners and cam pads, and he said that he would not recommend it at this time and that it would be at least 10 hours labor plus parts.

I also had the RMS, AOS, water pump, engine belt, clutch, flywheel, and transmission fluid replaced. The coolant reservoir has already been replaced in the car and looked good.

I'm looking forward to enjoying the car without all the worries!!

Thanks for everyone's help!!

[Dave928]

you'll need to give us a breakdown of what you were charged for all those services after you get the car back...

[JSWR450]

Originally Posted by Dave928

you'll need to give us a breakdown of what you were charged for all those services after you get the car back...

I just got back from the shop. I can't believe how bad the IMS bearing was (78,000 miles on a 2000 Boxster S). It was very, very sloppy. I was skeptical about the IMS issue but now I am a believer...mine was in horrible condition. I'll try to get a video of it on youtube and post a link so everyone can see it for themselves. It looks like the one in the LN youtube video. The water pump was also in really bad shape.

Below is a breakdown of the cost involved in this major service. This is the deal that I got through 9 Elf Motorsports in Santa Rosa, CA. I dealt with Michael, and he was great and gave the car a thorough inspection and showed me all the defective parts. Some people might be able to get a better deal on this stuff but please keep it friendly Thanks for everyone's help and recommendations!

IMS Retrofit
IMS Kit double brg-N (dual row): $595.00
Shaft Sealing Ring-N: $19.84
Hex HD. Screw 6x20-N: $0.44 (three used)
Hex HD. Screw s/s-N: $0.44 (four used)
Shipping-N: $20.00
Swepco 5/40 Syn-N: $7.99 (9.1 used)
Labor: $500.00

Clutch
Clutch kit-N: $802.30
Flywheel-S: $840.00
Labor: $250.00

Water Pump
Water Pump Gasket-N: $10.22
Multi Rib Belt-N: $45.22
Porsche Coolant- N: $36.54
Water Pump-N: $264.79
Labor: $356.75

Air/Oil Separator (replace with updated design)
Oil Separator-N: $107.95
Labor: $62.50

Replace Transmission Fluid
75/90 Trans oil-N: $34.95 (2.5 used)
Labor: $0.00

Rollers (3 worn/noisey idler rollers)
Tensioner roller-N: $95.05
Idler roller-N: 90.65
Deflection roller-N: $90.65
Labor: $0.00

Oil Filler Tube (leaking)
Oil Filler Tube-N: $34.48
Labor: $62.50

Replace Engine Mount
Engine Mount-N: $123.66
Labor: $0.00

Replace Air Mass Sensor: $283.34

Total Labor: $1812.50
Total Parts: $3,602.14
Tax: $324.19

[tonycarreon]

Originally Posted by JSWR450

Some people might be able to get a better deal on this stuff but please keep it friendly

$1200 for the IMS - i don't think anyone's going to flame you for that. you'll be getting PMs for recommendations!