IMS Install Issues?

[dirkdiggler]

God I hope not??

[insite]

don't stress; you'll get it sorted. what year is your car? i'll assume it's an early one.

first, there are actually three tensioners. there's one on each head and one on the block. find the third one and remove it.

it sounds like your IMS is just caught on the block a bit. try tapping the flange gently with a plastic hammer & see if it pops into place.

the tensioners ARE different. look at the top of each one. each has a hole in the center. one has no rings around the hole, another has one ring around the hole, and the last has two rings around the hole.

no rings: bank 4-6
one ring: engine block
two rings: bank 1-3

get back to us w/ the year & we'll go from there on engine timing.

[insite]

okay, i just saw in another thread that you have a '97.

now we need to check the timing. set your engine to TDC. on each head, there should be one side w/ two green plugs and another side w/ one green plug on the camshaft ends.

on the sides w/ two plugs, pull the lower plug out (exhaust cam). the notches in the ends of the cams should be perfectly vertical. if they're off significantly, you'll need to re-time.

i plan on posting that procedure later today w/ photos.

[dirkdiggler]

thanks Insite

if you look at figure 97 in the link, it shows the thing off-centered also in the DIY. with it off-centered I just cant imagine how to get the cap on.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...aft_Bearing.htm


So I should remove all 3 cam tensioners on a 1997 boxster? the DIY articles only mention removing 2?

[insite]

Originally Posted by dirkdiggler

thanks Insite

if you look at figure 97 in the link, it shows the thing off-centered also in the DIY. with it off-centered I just cant imagine how to get the cap on.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...aft_Bearing.htm


So I should remove all 3 cam tensioners on a 1997 boxster? the DIY articles only mention removing 2?

that link isn't working for me. go ahead & remove the 3rd tensioner. it won't hurt, & may give you some wiggle room.

[dirkdiggler]

were is the third located exactly? I removed the 2 off the heads but didnt recall seeing a third one to be honest.

I did have the motor set at top dead center.

[insite]

Originally Posted by insite

that link isn't working for me. go ahead & remove the 3rd tensioner. it won't hurt, & may give you some wiggle room.

did you lock to TDC prior to beginning?


i found the pic. if yours looks like that, you're probably in good shape. i'd put the flange on & hand thread the nut into place. start the 3 flange bolts & they should center the IMS

[dirkdiggler]

yes I had it set at TDC prior to starting this procedure.

I didnt have the cam locking tools though.

Pic attached of my issue

as you can see it is not centered which doesnt allow me to install the cap thing.

is the Flange the part that I keep referring to as the cap? Im not sure I can start threading the 3 bolts if its off-centered?


and where is the third tensioner located?


The crappy thing about all this is that the bearing I pulled out of the car was mint and dont think I even needed to install this new IMS .......... oh well

[Jake Raby]

Sounds like you didn't have the engine locked at TDC #1 cylinder... if you did not the cam timing MUST be re-set because it has been compromised. This is the first procedure that must be done, but no one seems to listen to that.

Its not as simple as putting the engine back at TDC, locking it and going back together with it.

If the IMS tube shifts, there is a reason, some camshaft is "on lobe" and is exerting force on the IMS tube, EVEN WITH THE TENSIONERS REMOVED!

Tensioners are marked per position with rings that match the casting rings that are embossed on the heads.

This procedure must be carried out explicitly with great attention to detail, you can't just pull things apart and expect the process to go smoothly on reassembly.