P1325 & green rubber plastic bits in the oil - Is the end near?

[GatorLapis]

Got a CEL yesterday after replacing an exhaust midpipe.
P1325 - Inlet Camshaft at bank 2

This morning... changed the oil.... and this was on it.







Some say its from the o-rings around the spark plug but the master Raby says its from the vario-cam chain adjuster.

Has anyone else dealt with this issue? My boxster 2.7L only has 48k miles.

[GTsilber]

Originally Posted by GatorLapis

Got a CEL yesterday after replacing an exhaust midpipe.
P1325 - Inlet Camshaft at bank 2

This morning... changed the oil.... and this was on it.







Some say its from the o-rings around the spark plug but the master Raby says its from the vario-cam chain adjuster.

Has anyone else dealt with this issue? My boxster 2.7L only has 48k miles.

I would be more worried about all that metal

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[Smallblock454]

Hello GatorLapis,

green rubber in general is caused by deorientating valve stem seals (german term is Ventilschaftdichtung) – don't know the correct english term.

Regards, Markus

[911monty]

Bummer the following thread has info for you. Does your car have the DOF?

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/62041-my-first-real-scare-boxster-need-some-advice.html

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by GTsilber

I would be more worried about all that metal

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That stuff that looks like fuzzy hair on the filter, is that metal? if so that is a lot of metal. Dang.

[chaiyz]

That green stuff looks exactly like my chain tensioners that I replaced when I saw pieces of them in my oil when I purchased the car.
How does the car sound at startup for the first 1-2 seconds? Do you hear the chains before the oil preloads the tensioner? If you hear that sound, then you may have a common problem that's not the end of your M96.

[jvfante]

The cam tensioners were light beige to brown plastic not green on my '98 base. I did have green camshaft end plugs, so it could be that someone in the past popped one (or part of one) into your cam cover when removing them.

I would suggest using a magnet to see if the apparent metal particles are steel. That's a bigger issue if they are. If they are aluminum, one of your tensioners may be bad causing a timing chain to scrape the casing. This will throw a code, if it is the problem. You can take off the cam covers without removing the engine and replace the cam tensioners if that's what is bad.

[GatorLapis]

LOL I would be crying if those were metal bits. They look like it in the pictures but they are the filter stringing apart... I looked inside as well and all there is are those green pieces.

[flaps10]

Looks like vario cam pad material to me. It's not dark enough to be chain ramps.

You could do this with the engine in the car. It won't be real fun, but possible. I'd consider if my list of things I need to address was enough to justify dropping the engine.

[GatorLapis]

Anyone have a link to a do it yourself?

[Smallblock454]

Hello,

chain ramp plastic is brown or ivory, not green. This green rubber is coming from valve stem seals (4).

Don't know if there is enough room to change them when engine is in the car. You have to remove the camshafts and hydros to get to the valves. Than you'll need a special plier tool to press down the valves so you can remove the valve collect (1). Than you can remove the spring (3) to get to the valve stem seals. And than replace them.





Regards, Markus

[Jake Raby]

Your diagrams don't show whats inside the cam adjusters.. or what color it is.

Used valve stem seals are NEVER that color of the new one posted.

This engine has a failing cam adjuster, as evidenced by the debris, and the tell- all code that the engine just experienced.

[Smallblock454]

Hm, OK Jake. But what model year is that car?

GatorLapis says it's a 2.7. The EU MY 2003 / 2004 cars have different camshaft adjusting mechanism. German term Flügelzellenversteller. Don't know what that is called in english.

If it's an earlier car you're right.

Regards, Markus

[GatorLapis]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Your diagrams don't show whats inside the cam adjusters.. or what color it is.

Used valve stem seals are NEVER that color of the new one posted.

This engine has a failing cam adjuster, as evidenced by the debris, and the tell- all code that the engine just experienced.

Thank You Jake. Do you know what part i need to replace as in when I call the dealership or an independent mechanic? Do I just ask them i need to replace my engine's cam adjusters or chain tensioners? Do I need those things below or what part needs replacing?

https://www.amazon.com/Porsche-Tensioner-Repair-Guides-rebuild/dp/B00AGZVLPW



Alex

[GatorLapis]

So... I bought a cheap china Durametric tool.. Checked the camshaft deviations and they are indeed way off Bank 1 is at - 6.7 and Bank 2 is at - 7.8

P.S. I got another check engine light P1341 which confirmed the Bank 2 deviations.

I am selling the car...

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by GatorLapis

I am selling the car...

No you are not...!

Just replace the cam adjuster pads and you will be on your way to happy motoring.

Good luck!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by GatorLapis

I am selling the car...

To whom? With these problems unfixed it is pretty much a "roller" and you won't get much.......

[78F350]

I've read through what Jake said and seen this issue discussed before. As I understand it, the part that is needed to fix this is the camshaft adjuster solenoid, not the wear pads.
This PelicanParts tech article outlines the procedure to do the repair:
Porsche Boxster Camshaft Upgrade / Chain Tensioner Replacement - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article

I have seen what I think is the new part required on eBay for about $250. (Note bank 1-3 and bank 4-6 are different part #)

***$205 at Pelican Parts: Pelican Parts***

...and the entire assembly used for $150.


I have two of these that I'd sell shipped for $35 each, but they are from an engine with 125k miles that was dead when I got it. Can't be sure they are good.

I saw your ad. GLWS

[The Radium King]

here comes the green ...

[The Radium King]

more of the green ...