Timing chain + Wear Pads replacement

[Hamstuh]

Hello all,

I decided i wanna tackle the hassle that is the timing chains and wear pad replacements. I have seen many do this job with the engine still in and that's what i plan on doing myself. If possible, could i get any insight as to what ill need or expect form a job like this ? Aside from the chains and pads themselves, i DO know ill need to Porsche specialty tools which have ready to go although if there's anything else ill need, any information would be much obliged. Ive tackled timing jobs before on other branded cars however a 99 boxster will be a first for me, any tricks or items i might need would be helpful

[spinjockey]

Definitely need to do both the pads and chains. Measure your cam deviations before and after. Consider replacing the solenoids because they are not externally serviceable on a 99. You may also want to do the lifters as well but they may make this job worth doing more as an engine out. You will need to make sure that you clean the mating services real well and clean out extra oil that is in the top end or else you won’t get a good seal. Make sure you don’t get sealant in any of the high pressure passage ways.

[Newsguy]

I have seen where this job has been done in the car but I can tell you it isn’t fun even out! Dropping the engine is relatively easy. I highly recommend this path.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by Hamstuh

Hello all,

I decided i wanna tackle the hassle that is the timing chains and wear pad replacements. I have seen many do this job with the engine still in and that's what i plan on doing myself. If possible, could i get any insight as to what ill need or expect form a job like this ? Aside from the chains and pads themselves, i DO know ill need to Porsche specialty tools which have ready to go although if there's anything else ill need, any information would be much obliged. Ive tackled timing jobs before on other branded cars however a 99 boxster will be a first for me, any tricks or items i might need would be helpful

I'm about to change the wear pads on an engine that's out of the car. From what I've seen of the procedure, I wouldn't attempt it with the engine in the car. Sure, it can be done, but it's also possible to check the compression while hanging upside down from a trapeze. Why make a difficult task more difficult? Newsguy is right; it's not that tough to drop the engine and transmission.

[elgyqc]

Check this out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O037gHuapCI&t=1631s
Personally I have always done it with the engine out.

[spinjockey]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

Check this out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O037gHuapCI&t=1631s
Personally I have always done it with the engine out.

I don’t think they replaced the chains just the pads which improved things somewhat but did not completely return the car to spec for cam deviations.

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by spinjockey

I don’t think they replaced the chains just the pads which improved things somewhat but did not completely return the car to spec for cam deviations.

If you are talking about the chains between the camshafts, they have to be removed to change the pads so can be changed if you want. If you are talking about the other chains the crankcase has to be split to change them...

[spinjockey]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

If you are talking about the chains between the camshafts, they have to be removed to change the pads so can be changed if you want. If you are talking about the other chains the crankcase has to be split to change them...

I was referring to the chains between the camshafts. I’ve followed this repair by a couple of different people and replacement of the camshaft chains has a significant impact on restoring the deviation to specification.

[Hamstuh]

the decision has been made that I will be dropping the engine in my garage to go ahead with this job. As far as ive read, a majority claim dropping with the trans is probably the ideal way to go, unless someone says otherwise here.

With the job itself, Im hoping someone can drop any input as to what ELSE i should do while replacing the wear pads. Given my car is at 188k miles, I will most likely be doing the chains as well just for safety measure. I did see a forum stating rod bearings would be ideal as well while im there, or lifters given the mileage and age, though another opinion on that would be great too. Truthfully id rather not split the case unless someone can give a good reason as to why and what i should do it for but thats also just preference.

Aside from the Porsche specific tool needed to lock the cam, pads, and chains, depending on the quality of other things like hoses / lines, what else should i look for in terms of replacing while i have the engine out ?

[theiceman]

i did this with engine in car and it was not a big deal at all .. but i do a lot of wrenching so.... seems so much more work taking the engine out and much more opportunity to break things along the way, but every scenario is different.

if i was doing it again though i would rebuild the actuators for the cam pads with new orings and seals. They are available as a kit and i was just unaware then.

[Hamstuh]

Originally Posted by theiceman

i did this with engine in car and it was not a big deal at all .. but i do a lot of wrenching so.... seems so much more work taking the engine out and mush more to break along the way but every scenario is different.

if i was doing it again though i would rebuild the actuators for the cam pads with new orings and seals. They are available as a kit and i was just unaware then.

i'll definitely look into that rebuild kit. i was initially all for doing the job with the engine inside as well unfortunately i do not have access to a lift so id be laying down the entire time. which id imagine wouldn't be entirely ideal for retiming as well

[theiceman]

Originally Posted by Hamstuh

i'll definitely look into that rebuild kit. i was initially all for doing the job with the engine inside as well unfortunately i do not have access to a lift so id be laying down the entire time. which id imagine wouldn't be entirely ideal for retiming as well

i actually find a lift harder to do work like this,

i had it about 18 inches off the ground on jack stands... and that was perfect..

On a lift you are reach over your head all the time and that is actually hard on your shoulders neck and back..

On jack stands lying on your back you are just essentially reaching forward, which personally i found a lot easier. A little trickier getting the cover on with sealant on it, but a couple of dry runs and it was fine.
you can get the timing tool on one side of the engine , but you cant on the other so have to eyeball it. Funny thing was the side i eyeballed is better than the side I put the tool on.

More than one way to skin a cat i guess.

[pilot4fn]

Change also the timing chains between cams (where the actuator operates) on both heads.

[spinjockey]

Originally Posted by pilot4fn

Change also the timing chains between cams (where the actuator operates) on both heads.

Yes, not replacing the chains is often why replacing the pads doesn’t return the cam deviations within spec.

[Hamstuh]

Just adding this as a checklist to what i might be needing, if i miss anything or recommend, feel free to reply.

Assembly grease
Cam cover sealant
Cam caps
2x Timing chains cam to cam
2x Timing chain rails
Porsche Tool #9632
Timing kit w/ cam locking / brace
oil pump seals
Tensioners

oil
oil filter

[The Radium King]

tensioners?

[theiceman]

you want tensioner rebuild kits .. search around the net and you will find a racing shop that sells them , i think they are in the UK.

Also you want the threaded rod and nuts to compress the tensioners, they are not in the kit, depending on your car it is a right hand threaded rod or a left hand, I got mine off AliExpress . did once side with the zip ties and its a nightmare , don't do this , i can go into a long explanation why but just get the threaded rod and this will be a breeze.
definitely need those oil pump seals, when i took mine off they were not reusable.
Also i would suggest getting the Porsche pads. they are expensive but you will likely do this once in the life of the car.. the ones i got did not SNAP on and merely expected the tension of the chain to keep them in place, did not leave me with a good feeling. They were a beige colour instead of the red.

Get spark plug tubes , they are cheap off rock auto and come with the orings. want to make sure everything is sealed up.

i got the seals for the cam solenoids too ,, and thread sealer for when putting the cam bolts back in.

[The Radium King]

what i do is look for where porsche updated the part numbers . i can't speak for the 2.5, but for the 3.2 the pads and the tensioners were updated. typically there is a reason for this. make sure you get the updated part #'s regardeless if from porsche or jobbers.

[spinjockey]

Originally Posted by Hamstuh

Just adding this as a checklist to what i might be needing, if i miss anything or recommend, feel free to reply.

Assembly grease
Cam cover sealant
Cam caps
2x Timing chains cam to cam
2x Timing chain rails
Porsche Tool #9632 - zip ties could be alternative
Timing kit w/ cam locking / brace
Maybe oil pump seals ?

oil
oil filter

You should get new cam cover bolts. Therapy are relatively inexpensive and have been updated too. The new bolts have micro encapsulation coating to help stop leaks.

[Hamstuh]

Originally Posted by theiceman

you want tensioner rebuild kits .. search around the net and you will find a racing shop that sells them , i think they are in the UK.

Also you want the threaded rod and nuts to compress the tensioners, they are not in the kit, depending on your car it is a right hand threaded rod or a left hand, I got mine off AliExpress . did once side with the zip ties and its a nightmare , don't do this , i can go into a long explanation why but just get the threaded rod and this will be a breeze.
definitely need those oil pump seals, when i took mine off they were not reusable.
Also i would suggest getting the Porsche pads. they are expensive but you will likely do this once in the life of the car.. the ones i got did not SNAP on and merely expected the tension of the chain to keep them in place, did not leave me with a good feeling. They were a beige colour instead of the red.

Get spark plug tubes , they are cheap off rock auto and come with the orings. want to make sure everything is sealed up.

i got the seals for the cam solenoids too ,, and thread sealer for when putting the cam bolts back in.

will look into that threaded rod, i added the porsche # in my list although ill need to find out whether mine is left or right threaded as a 99' 2.5L. Regarding the pads thats the first im hearing about them not being the ideal upgrade, from my research it seems everyone gets the beige ones as they ARE the updated part. Both Pelican and Parts Geek seem to have the same ones labeled as genuine although ill look into the red ones as well. I did thankfully purchase new OE spark plug tubes prior to this job so thats one thing i can cross off too.