Variocam solenoid troubles.

[Brian in Tucson]

Not the usual problems. AFAIK the solenoid works, but the guy I got the engine from wasn't the most careful in handling it and the wires that come out of the right side solenoid were sheared off about 1/2 inch out from the end. Thinking I can solder it back together and shrink tube it.

The engine it's replacing is the same series, 2001 2.7l set up for tiptronic. And I'm transferring the tiptronic wiring and other stuff over. The old engine has a couple of known good solenoids, and I'm not afraid to take the valve covers off to recover them.

I am kinda reluctant to disturb the replacement engine, tho. It doesn't appear to leak. And I don't have a holding tool. Dammit, those tools are crazy expensive for what you get! Too bad there isn't a traveling loaner tool, some of the motorcycle forums have specialized tools that make the rounds.:ah:

[78F350]

If it were me, I'd probably just repair the wires too. ...then always regret that I didn't fix it right while I had the engine out.

From what I remember, Flaps10 made his own tool. Here's the post, but Photobucket killed the pictures:
my DIY engine rebuild

I know there have been some other similar posts as well.

Also, try posting in the title of a thread that you are looking for the tool.

[AZ986S]

That's funny.
I had the exact same problem on the replacement engine I put in.
The cable was sheared off at the base of the solenoid, so there was no way to splice and solder... Had to replace the solenoid, but with the engine out, it was an easy job.
But with 1/2 in you might be able to fix it. Just make sure the solenoid did not take a hit and was damaged. That would be an easy test. If it doesn't work, then you will need a new solenoid, and they are not cheap...

[Brian in Tucson]

If I pull the core engine apart, I have two of them. Raby is talking about buying my core, but that's still undecided. Might be nice to pull it apart as practice anyhow & the max $$ I'd get from Raby wouldn't cover a pair of replacements. Gotta think about this, moving stuff from one engine to the other means I'm not hurting for something to do.

The guy at Raby (Jud) talked with me for over 1/2 hour about stuff I should be doing before I install the engine. Heck of a nice guy!

Thanks for the responses, btw.

[Brian in Tucson]

Originally Posted by AZ986S

That's funny.
I had the exact same problem on the replacement engine I put in.
The cable was sheared off at the base of the solenoid, so there was no way to splice and solder... Had to replace the solenoid, but with the engine out, it was an easy job.
But with 1/2 in you might be able to fix it. Just make sure the solenoid did not take a hit and was damaged. That would be an easy test. If it doesn't work, then you will need a new solenoid, and they are not cheap...

Did you use the holder tool? Do you have a holder tool? I wonder if I put the engine in my engine stand and tipped it on its side if gravity would be enough to hold the cams in place and not disturb the timing. Not too worried about getting it together leak free, but disturbed cam timing is on the list of nightmares.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Brian in Tucson

I wonder if I put the engine in my engine stand and tipped it on its side if gravity would be enough to hold the cams in place and not disturb the timing.

Not a chance.

[jvfante]

I happened to watch recently a video which may be helpful.

If you search youtube for "Porsche IMS fix 6" and go to 6:10 in the tape, he describes a DIY tool to lock your cams. The link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRmB53bALf8, but in case it doesn't work, do the search.

Having replaced a solenoid, in the car, I'd highly recommend doing your fix with the engine out of the car. You'll be much happier.

I'll try to include a frame grab of the tool to save you some time.

Hope this works for you.

[Brian in Tucson]

Originally Posted by jvfante

I happened to watch recently a video which may be helpful.

If you search youtube for "Porsche IMS fix 6" and go to 6:10 in the tape, he describes a DIY tool to lock your cams. The link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRmB53bALf8, but in case it doesn't work, do the search.

Having replaced a solenoid, in the car, I'd highly recommend doing your fix with the engine out of the car. You'll be much happier.

I'll try to include a frame grab of the tool to save you some time.

Hope this works for you.

[/img]

Thanks, Burner's videos are pretty awesome, aren't they? I'm gonna make a couple of those holders for when I "harvest" the solenoids. Probably this week. Thanks for the link. It helped. BTW, BOTH engines are out of the car!

[Brian in Tucson]

Got t he solenoid out, using a home made tool as suggested by Burner. He does make it easy to understand and it really was a piece of cake.