Cam actuator

[Stl-986]

Anyone know the book time to replace the cam actuator? Trying to make sure a shop doesn't spend more of my money then necessary. Just wondering what the labor hours are. Passenger side if it makes a difference.

[-tWv-]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

Anyone know the book time to replace the cam actuator? Trying to make sure a shop doesn't spend more of my money then necessary. Just wondering what the labor hours are. Passenger side if it makes a difference.

I had my passenger side done last year and just looked at the quote. 12 hours of labor. I have no idea if this is high or low but the entire operation was not cheap.

[Stl-986]

wow, 12 hours huh? Ok, that gives me a baseline.

[-tWv-]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

wow, 12 hours huh? Ok, that gives me a baseline.

To make sure we are talking about the same thing. Had to replace this: 996-105-051-58

[Stl-986]

Yup, that is what we are talking about. My solenoid is good, the actuator is what is bad, spring inside is broke most likely.

[Homeoboxter]

12 hrs sounds a lot to me. I only serviced the actuators on an engine stand, but it seems doable from underneath in half of that time, even if you double check every step three times to avoid mistakes.

[Stl-986]

That is usually the issue. What some of us could do things in vs. book time doesn't usually match up. If I didn't have 2 other cars in the garage I am working on I would just bite the bullet and do it myself but I might have this car sold if I can get passed these damn codes. Already have 2 other cars on their way from FL so I need to start making room.

[Homeoboxter]

Just out of curiosity, which actuator is shot and what is the symptom it`s causing?

[Stl-986]

Pass side, bank 1. P1340 I think is the code, been a week since I checked.

Bad idle, constant misfire.

I can activate bank 2 cam and the car stumbles at idle like it should. Activating bank 1 cam the car will either die or sometimes stumble. Only thing I have fixed/replaced is the cam tensioner pads & the actuator. I have no doubt the pads need replacing, the car has 109k miles on it so it's time. Would rather do it myself but time & space are an issue, plus the SO wants to be able to use her car (doesn't know I might sell it)

[thom4782]

I've used alldatadiy.com to get ballpark time estimates. It seemed detailed and fairly accurate. Others may see it differently.

[Stl-986]

yea, most shops will go by alldata. I'm just too cheap to pay for it. lol

[Gear_Grinder]

I just did the Bank 1 actuator on mine in less than 12 hrs. And it was the first time I tore a Porsche engine apart. A pro mechanic should do better than that!

[-tWv-]

Originally Posted by Gear_Grinder

I just did the Bank 1 actuator on mine in less than 12 hrs. And it was the first time I tore a Porsche engine apart. A pro mechanic should do better than that!

Like I said, I don’t know if high or low. There are limited options for high quality Porsche mechanics near me so I wasn’t able to get much competitive pricing. Seems like the consensus is high but oh well.

When I was going through this last year we were already in deep diagnosing the issue with my car. I just wanted it over with so I could get back to driving.

[Stl-986]

Just for others in the future.

One thing you have to keep in mind is that many (if not most) mechanics charge by book time. If they get it done in 6 hours when the book says 12, it is acceptable to charge the full 12 hours. Now, some shops wont do that depending on how much of time difference there is. The best shops work with the customer, set the expectation at the beginning and in the end try to make everyone happy. Book time allows for things like rusted bolts, hard to get to areas, etc. Always best to check with the shop before hand, communicate and let them now if you disagree with the time. I have only found 1 shop by me that doesn't follow any of these and it's one that I am vocal about with anyone needing work.

If book time for this is 12 hours I'm ok with it for the repair but not for diagnosing. Given everything else I have thrown at this problem the actuator is the most logical thing that is the issue. I have set the expectation with the shop and we all agree at a minimum it's time to replace the pads, which is almost the amount of hours and if it looks like it's more then the actuator they will button it back up after replacing the pads and then this car will just get parted out or a different engine put in.