Misfire cylinders + CEL = please help :(

[haz]

This problem is getting to my head, so please, if you have any input at all - do not hesitate to contribute

I am having misfire on cylinder 1 - 2 -3 and this morning the CEL came on and the car studdered and almost stalled completely.

History:

1: New MAF 4 weeks ago. Engine ran beautifully.

2: Two weeks ago it started to "chase" revs when idling, up/down, up/down so I checked and got these error codes:

P1341 Camshaft adjustment bank 1
P0300 Misfire detection
P0302 Misfire cylinder 2
P0303 Misfire cylinder 3

Please check out this video - YouTube

3: So yesterday I replaced all plugs to Beru (previous one were Bosch) and coils for cylinder 2 and 3 --> Same error codes! Now it even says misfiring on cylinder 1!

Then this morning the car almost stalled as described above + CEL.

Could it be that the problem is the left bank, since cylinder 1-2-3 is on the same bank? I'm asking since I read that on Rennlist.

misfires in 3 cylinders (4,5,6) - Rennlist Discussion Forums

Any tips are greatly appreciated :ah:

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by haz

This problem is getting to my head, so please, if you have any input at all - do not hesitate to contribute

I am having misfire on cylinder 1 - 2 -3 and this morning the CEL came on and the car studdered and almost stalled completely.

History:

1: New MAF 4 weeks ago. Engine ran beautifully.

2: Two weeks ago it started to "chase" revs when idling, up/down, up/down so I checked and got these error codes:

P1341 Camshaft adjustment bank 1
P0300 Misfire detection
P0302 Misfire cylinder 2
P0303 Misfire cylinder 3

Please check out this video - YouTube

3: So yesterday I replaced all plugs to Beru (previous one were Bosch) and coils for cylinder 2 and 3 --> Same error codes! Now it even says misfiring on cylinder 1!

Then this morning the car almost stalled as described above + CEL.

Could it be that the problem is the left bank, since cylinder 1-2-3 is on the same bank? I'm asking since I read that on Rennlist.

misfires in 3 cylinders (4,5,6) - Rennlist Discussion Forums

Any tips are greatly appreciated :ah:

Get the car scanned by a Porsche specific system (PIWIS, Durametric) that is capable of evaluating and testing the VarioCam system components to determine what is throwing the P1341 code.

[haz]

Most likely I´ll have it flatbeded to my local PC tomorrow..... damn, it´s been too many $$$ and not enough miles.....

[Perfectlap]

I can empathize. My rear suspension overhaul and wheel bearings in progress now is creeping up on $2K. (doing the coil packs, trans fluid and fuel filter for good measure).
This after spending $2K on rotors and waterpump. I don't think I had to the time to drive the car even 1K miles this whole summer.
I need to find a place with a lift...

[woodsman]

Originally Posted by haz

Most likely I´ll have it flatbeded to my local PC tomorrow..... damn, it´s been too many $$$ and not enough miles.....

A durametric can pay for itself in one repair- mine did.

[AKnowles]

Haz, I feel for you. And I do have a simple suggestion. Well two actually.

First, just for the heck of it unplug the MAF. See if it makes a difference. My last MAF only lasted 5 weeks before it failed. So it can happen.

Secondly, I have the P1341 error show up twice. The first time it happened was when my wife stalled the car to prevent running into someone in front of her. After clearing the code it popped back up (that's the second occurrence) while driving and a misfire occurred (actually the engine seemed like it just cut out for half a second). One of the interesting things I found was the cam adjustment is hydraulic. So, low oil pressure, cold weather, thicker oil, old oil, etc. can all possibly contribute to the CEL. I was just about due for an oil change, so changed it using Mobil 1 European blend and went for a spirited drive. No return of the CEL to date.

I can't say either of these suggestions will make a difference (MAF or Oil), but both are cheap and easy to check out. As another weird thought, isn't this the rebuilt engine after an IMS failure. If it is (my memory may not be correct) then this could also be one of those times when an IMS disintegration with all the floating pieces of debris that could clog oil ports may have bit you.

[haz]

Originally Posted by AKnowles

Haz, I feel for you. And I do have a simple suggestion. Well two actually.

First, just for the heck of it unplug the MAF. See if it makes a difference. My last MAF only lasted 5 weeks before it failed. So it can happen.

Secondly, I have the P1341 error show up twice. The first time it happened was when my wife stalled the car to prevent running into someone in front of her. After clearing the code it popped back up (that's the second occurrence) while driving and a misfire occurred (actually the engine seemed like it just cut out for half a second). One of the interesting things I found was the cam adjustment is hydraulic. So, low oil pressure, cold weather, thicker oil, old oil, etc. can all possibly contribute to the CEL. I was just about due for an oil change, so changed it using Mobil 1 European blend and went for a spirited drive. No return of the CEL to date.

I can't say either of these suggestions will make a difference (MAF or Oil), but both are cheap and easy to check out. As another weird thought, isn't this the rebuilt engine after an IMS failure. If it is (my memory may not be correct) then this could also be one of those times when an IMS disintegration with all the floating pieces of debris that could clog oil ports may have bit you.

Hopefully, Porsche Center Oslo will figure this out. I got a price for $120 for a full scan and diagnosis. Hopefully they are smart enoguh to try and error such things as unplugging the MAF and so on.

But many many thanks for your support!

What brand was your MAF? I went for original Bosch and there are no error codes thrown that suggest bad MAF. I heard cheaper MAFs die quickly.

I did an oil change after the IMS upgrade, and the Porsche Specialist went for Castrol Edgen 0W 40 Castrol EDGE 0W-40 A3/B4 | Features and Recommended Engines | Castrol EDGE which supposedly is great for our cold winters.

We did check the oil filter two weeks after the IMS upgrade and there was not even a slight sign of any metal debris. And hopefully, there are none left in the system that could clog up the oil pump / ports etc..

[evan9eleven]

Sorry to hear Haz, keep us posted. Hopefully its something simple!

[haz]

Originally Posted by evan9eleven

Sorry to hear Haz, keep us posted. Hopefully its something simple!

Tusen takk kompis, yes, let´s hope.. :ah:

[haz]

Mechanic @ Porsche Center called: it's the cam shaft variator that's gone. He talked about my car having vario cam bla bla. He talked so fast.. he is going to email me an offer, but he did imply a job in the range of $1800-3000.....

If this part Porsche Camshaft position sensor Hall sender 996606106026 Boxster / 996 / 955 Cayenne - 99660610602 | Design 911 is the correct part that he is offering to replace, I'll flatbed the Boxster to my local indy thank you very much..

[haz]

Got an email from my PC mechanic. He is asking $5000

This is the part that needs replaced http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-911-Boxster-97-04-Timing-Chain-Tensioner-Cyl-1-3-GENUINE-996-105-051-58-/151078970873?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item232d0225f9&vxp=mtr

+ many other small parts... I don´t know what to say...

[haz]

So the cause of the error codes p1341 was the engine timing chain tensioner right side cyl 1-3 to be bad and needed replaced. Car is back on track now

[trimer]

Originally Posted by haz

So the cause of the error codes p1341 was the engine timing chain tensioner right side cyl 1-3 to be bad and needed replaced. Car is back on track now

Can you divulge how much it cost to fix?

[Chuck W.]

Haz, thanks for posting this. I use the search feature all the time and these post are invaluable. How many miles on your Boxster?

[Perfectlap]

aren't you tempted to sell this particular Boxster while you're still on top? It sounds like the previous owners' maintenance habits have left you with many question marks.

[haz]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

aren't you tempted to sell this particular Boxster while you're still on top? It sounds like the previous owners' maintenance habits have left you with many question marks.

He he.. still on top. I don´t know about that. What I do know is that it will be put up for sale the day after the last snow melts away here in Oslo. I do not know how easy these cars are to sell, I mean it´s a niche marked right?

Loss or not, I don´t buy or sell cars with that so much in mind. I do it out of passion. That said, I cannot push away the fact that the dark days owning my Boxster easily outshadows the bright days. I cannot own a car that has proven to be this unreliable. I do not blame the seller, as he had looked after it and done every little repair when something showed up. I believe this to be what we in Norway call a "monday car".

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

Haz, thanks for posting this. I use the search feature all the time and these post are invaluable. How many miles on your Boxster?

No Chuck, thank you

I am the same way. If the threadstarter doesn´t supply what turned out tobe the remedy, then we haven´t come any further in helping others in the same community. I believe 161.000 km is a little over 90 k miles or so?

Originally Posted by trimer

Can you divulge how much it cost to fix?

Porsche Center Oslo quoted me $5000 (remember the tensioner is a $1000 part)
I ended up at a indy shop called SSP who did my IMSB upgrade and they are Porsche approved specialists and they did it for well under half that.