Green plastic in my oil.

[shadrach74]

Does any one else care to ring in/expound upon the VarioCam mystery solenoid seal in dark green? Search yields nothing. Shops around here know nothing of this symptom.

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

Does any one else care to ring in/expound upon the VarioCam mystery solenoid seal in dark green? Search yields nothing. Shops around here know nothing of this symptom.

Not surprising.. If they attended my classes, they would know about it. Unless someone dissects the unit they will never understand this. Most shops have done nothing more to these engines than re-seal cam covers.

When this seal fails ultimately camshaft deviations will occur as the adjuster will no longer function. Its not catastrophic, but when it goes long enough it will set a CEL and account for crappy gas mileage.

[kk2002s]

Just when I was adding another item to the list of - what else can break this motor-
I can yell out the window:
- Hallelujah - Finally a problem that doesn't end in self destruction

Though I would assume that if you have to cut these VarioCam units apart to see the problem, fixing requires replacing very expensive parts and serious labor getting to them

Take a deep breath

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Not surprising.. If they attended my classes, they would know about it. Unless someone dissects the unit they will never understand this. Most shops have done nothing more to these engines than re-seal cam covers.

When this seal fails ultimately camshaft deviations will occur as the adjuster will no longer function. Its not catastrophic, but when it goes long enough it will set a CEL and account for crappy gas mileage.

Thanks Jake, I hope that this is all it is. The cam deviation has not changed in the 18000miles and does not change through out the rev range. What is odd is that one bank is 6.5 and the other is 1.4. I have always wondered about it.

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

Thanks Jake, I hope that this is all it is. The cam deviation has not changed in the 18000miles and does not change through out the rev range. What is odd is that one bank is 6.5 and the other is 1.4. I have always wondered about it.

The bank with 6.5 degrees is the unit that has emitted the pieces of debris.. You have about 2.25 degrees more before it sets a CEL for being out of range. The 6.5* is already costing gas mileage, adding to the rough running index and adding fuel trim.

The servo units are not serviceable and thats why no one else has found the source of the debris, because they have not cut the units open. As a researcher, doing the things that no one else does and finding the things that no one else has found is my job.

If a unit fails, just replace it.

BTW- a failed servo for the VVT arrangement is mode of failure #5 of the 27 documented modes of failure for the M96 engine.

[hideehoo]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

The bank with 6.5 degrees is the unit that has emitted the pieces of debris.. You have about 2.25 degrees more before it sets a CEL for being out of range. The 6.5* is already costing gas mileage, adding to the rough running index and adding fuel trim.

The servo units are not serviceable and thats why no one else has found the source of the debris, because they have not cut the units open. As a researcher, doing the things that no one else does and finding the things that no one else has found is my job.

If a unit fails, just replace it.

BTW- a failed servo for the VVT arrangement is mode of failure #5 of the 27 documented modes of failure for the M96 engine.

Jake, when you say servo as you referring to the electric solenoid (~$200) or the hydraulic tensioner unit (~$1000) it operates against? Seems like the solenoid is a fairly common failure.

Just pulled my '00S with ~90K out of storage and noticed uneven power delivery in the 3K rev range, some green particles in the oil filter (which is a first), and it just started to throw a 1341 code.

Ordered a Durametric kit to get a little more info before I tear in, but I'm assuming it's either the solenoid and/or actuator going bad. I'll rule out electrical first also, but the particles in the oil filter can't be a coincidence.

Thanks

[GatorLapis]

Originally Posted by hideehoo

Jake, when you say servo as you referring to the electric solenoid (~$200) or the hydraulic tensioner unit (~$1000) it operates against? Seems like the solenoid is a fairly common failure.

Just pulled my '00S with ~90K out of storage and noticed uneven power delivery in the 3K rev range, some green particles in the oil filter (which is a first), and it just started to throw a 1341 code.

Ordered a Durametric kit to get a little more info before I tear in, but I'm assuming it's either the solenoid and/or actuator going bad. I'll rule out electrical first also, but the particles in the oil filter can't be a coincidence.

Thanks

Is it this unit? Chain Tensioner 99610505158 - Genuine Porsche - 996-105-051-58 | Pelican Parts

or just this...

https://www.amazon.com/Porsche-Tensioner-Repair-Guides-rebuild/dp/B00AGZVLPW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1470511028&sr=8-5&keywords=chain+tensioner+boxster

[first boxster]

It sure would be nice if somebody on this site could post a clear option on the origine of these green bit. Is it the chain tensioner? If so where do the green bits come from? Inside?