Timing chain + Wear Pads replacement

[Hamstuh]

Hello all,

I decided i wanna tackle the hassle that is the timing chains and wear pad replacements. I have seen many do this job with the engine still in and that's what i plan on doing myself. If possible, could i get any insight as to what ill need or expect form a job like this ? Aside from the chains and pads themselves, i DO know ill need to Porsche specialty tools which have ready to go although if there's anything else ill need, any information would be much obliged. Ive tackled timing jobs before on other branded cars however a 99 boxster will be a first for me, any tricks or items i might need would be helpful

[spinjockey]

Definitely need to do both the pads and chains. Measure your cam deviations before and after. Consider replacing the solenoids because they are not externally serviceable on a 99. You may also want to do the lifters as well but they may make this job worth doing more as an engine out. You will need to make sure that you clean the mating services real well and clean out extra oil that is in the top end or else you won’t get a good seal. Make sure you don’t get sealant in any of the high pressure passage ways.

[Newsguy]

I have seen where this job has been done in the car but I can tell you it isn’t fun even out! Dropping the engine is relatively easy. I highly recommend this path.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by Hamstuh

Hello all,

I decided i wanna tackle the hassle that is the timing chains and wear pad replacements. I have seen many do this job with the engine still in and that's what i plan on doing myself. If possible, could i get any insight as to what ill need or expect form a job like this ? Aside from the chains and pads themselves, i DO know ill need to Porsche specialty tools which have ready to go although if there's anything else ill need, any information would be much obliged. Ive tackled timing jobs before on other branded cars however a 99 boxster will be a first for me, any tricks or items i might need would be helpful

I'm about to change the wear pads on an engine that's out of the car. From what I've seen of the procedure, I wouldn't attempt it with the engine in the car. Sure, it can be done, but it's also possible to check the compression while hanging upside down from a trapeze. Why make a difficult task more difficult? Newsguy is right; it's not that tough to drop the engine and transmission.

[elgyqc]

Check this out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O037gHuapCI&t=1631s
Personally I have always done it with the engine out.

[spinjockey]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

Check this out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O037gHuapCI&t=1631s
Personally I have always done it with the engine out.

I don’t think they replaced the chains just the pads which improved things somewhat but did not completely return the car to spec for cam deviations.

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by spinjockey

I don’t think they replaced the chains just the pads which improved things somewhat but did not completely return the car to spec for cam deviations.

If you are talking about the chains between the camshafts, they have to be removed to change the pads so can be changed if you want. If you are talking about the other chains the crankcase has to be split to change them...

[spinjockey]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

If you are talking about the chains between the camshafts, they have to be removed to change the pads so can be changed if you want. If you are talking about the other chains the crankcase has to be split to change them...

I was referring to the chains between the camshafts. I’ve followed this repair by a couple of different people and replacement of the camshaft chains has a significant impact on restoring the deviation to specification.