Locking cams for tensioner replacement.

[Steve Tinker]

Thanks or the heads up Heiko... I'm assuming to are referring to BoxsterSteve re loaning the cam lock tools - I'm a long, long way from ON!
A couple of quick questions for you or the gurus:

1) Any pics of which one is the IMS tensioner?

2) If I wanted to replace all 3 chain tensioners, can I still just lock the crank pulley @ TDC?

3) Do you need to drain the oil before starting?

Thanks everyone

[NewArt]

I made my own tools. But then I was timing the cams after having replaced the chains and pads. If you just want to change the tensioners, I think that you can just lock TDC to prevent chain slippage, and swap them out. Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong. No need to drain the oil.

[Heiko]

Originally Posted by Steve Tinker

Thanks or the heads up Heiko... I'm assuming to are referring to BoxsterSteve re loaning the cam lock tools - I'm a long, long way from ON!
A couple of quick questions for you or the gurus:

1) Any pics of which one is the IMS tensioner?

2) If I wanted to replace all 3 chain tensioners, can I still just lock the crank pulley @ TDC?

3) Do you need to drain the oil before starting?

Thanks everyone

Well you can borrow them too if you want but yes it might be a wee bit of a ride (you may need floats on the Boxster to get here lol)

If you lock TDC with the pin just make sure you do one at a time and you should be fine... I've done a few and never had an issue as long as you don't turn the engine.
I've always done them in conjunction with and oil change but I'm pretty sure you'll dump some oil doing Bank 1 (passenger side) and the IMS tensioner (lower center) if you don't drain it. Here is the markings on the tensioners to show you where they go.