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Old 05-07-2021, 06:41 AM   #1
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Join Date: Oct 2020
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Check engine light intermitted & Camshaft solenoid adjuster

Saw an advertised 986 S Tip that the seller said has the CEL intermittently and said it was probably the Camshaft Solenoid Adjuster.

I've heard the variocam is fairly reliable; the solenoid isn't a cheap part at $4-500.

How serious is this problem to resolve? Just likely the solenoid, or could it be the timing chain tensioner itself? Or are they not related? Then around $1500 + installation? The car is rather distant and I want to know what I'm dealing with before having to travel.

Seller also said the engine was rebuilt (by the Raby shop) due to Timing Chain or Timing Chain Guide problems. I wonder if there is any relation or am I jumping to conclusions...
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Old 05-07-2021, 08:30 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scrambledeggs728 View Post
Saw an advertised 986 S Tip that the seller said has the CEL intermittently and said it was probably the Camshaft Solenoid Adjuster.

I've heard the variocam is fairly reliable; the solenoid isn't a cheap part at $4-500.

How serious is this problem to resolve? Just likely the solenoid, or could it be the timing chain tensioner itself? Or are they not related? Then around $1500 + installation? The car is rather distant and I want to know what I'm dealing with before having to travel.

Seller also said the engine was rebuilt (by the Raby shop) due to Timing Chain or Timing Chain Guide problems. I wonder if there is any relation or am I jumping to conclusions...
First you need the code or codes that are associated with the CEL.
With the code-codes you will have a better idea of what the issue is.
Without the codes the seller is just guessing at the issue.
Or he has read the codes and knows what the issue is.

A code for the Variocam solenoid is not going to be an intermittent code or CEL.
It will set a code and the CEL will stay on until you erase the code which resets the CEL.
The Code and CEL will return if the issue is not fixed.
Getting the codes should be your starting point.

Vario Cam issues can be difficult to resolve.
Simple $20.00 timing chain tension pads can be a pain to change. Or costly if you have a shop do it..
The solenoid as you know is costly $1500.00 Shop time is costly.

No way of knowing if the previous problem of timing chain- chain guide problems are related to the current issue without the DTC code-codes.

Last edited by blue62; 05-07-2021 at 05:31 PM.
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