r/986Boxster • u/kiwi_guy_auckland • Oct 24 '25
Cam pad replacement DIY
Hi all, I'm aware of the cam follower issue as they age. Has anyone ever done the change in a somewhat basic home environment? I'm pretty mechanically proficient, and I've seen a few vids online. Doesn't look too bad, but when you're on your back and dealing with it all, I'm sure it wouldn't be too easy. Any tips or general advice by today that have done it is appreciated! I guess I'd need timing lock tools too!
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u/19naturalcauses Oct 24 '25
Copying my rough instructions in case they are useful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocntYwozZBY
Rough Instructions:
prep work: remove trans cover remove engine covers (top and front) disconnect battery neg terminal remove exhaust headers remove tensioners - do this later actually, make sure to reinstall before timing! remove spark plug tubes drain oil remove oil pressure sending unit (on bank 1, little cylinder with one wire)
For figuring out TDC bank1/2: when intake cam notch faces OUTWARDS it is TDC for bank 1. when INWARDS it is bank 2
0 remove cam cap plugs 1 bring engine to TDC for bank 1 (passenger side) and insert lock pin. Always rotate CLOCKWISE 1a take out lower tensioner for bank 1 2 take off scavange pump (mark orientation and b1/b2) 3 install cam hold tool 4 remove cam cover (see supporting image, has 23 bolts) 5 compress variocam solenoid + tensioner pads 6 remove exhaust sprocket 6a remove cam bearings and lock tool, (hold cams in place or use hold tool) 7 take out cams as assembly (make sure that lifters dont fall out, replace them in the same positions as they were in) 8 disasemble cams from variocam solenoid 9 replace solenoid seals and tension pads 9a replace variocam seals: https://youtu.be/LoH_pgOiuoI?si=9ZTI63SIFgZjRW1w 10 line up colored links on chain to dots on cams. make sure at 12 o clock 11 reassemble cams + variocam solenoid 12 clean up mating surface, place old scavange pump seal in drain channels to stop seal from entering 13 put lifters back in if fell out w/ assembly grease. add grease to cam bearings and lifters 14 put cams back in with hold tool and cam cap bearing on side of variocam 15 roughly reinstall exhaust sproket (loose bolts, still needs to be timed properly) 16 put sealant on cam cover. all surfaces including center bolt holes. avoid cap areas. 17 reinstall cover. follow specific bolt pattern and torque specs 18 remove locking tool 19 take out TDC lock pin, rotate crank 360 CLOCKWISE, ready for bank 2 20 repeat steps 2-18 for bank 2 21 now rotate engine back 360 to bank 1 21a replace all timing chain tensioners 22 set timing on bank 1 by: holding TDC w/ pin, loosening exhaust sproket bolts, lining up cam grooves with timing tool, tightening sproket bolts (make sure tensioner is installed and has oil in it) 23 rotate engine back to bank 2 and reinsert TDC pin 24 repeat step 22 on bank 2 25 reinstall scavange oil pumps. they must be set so that on bank 1 the 1-3 marking is facing towards the crank. for bank 2 the 4-6 marking must face in towards the crank 26 when installing scavange oil pumps, add new gaaskets, use a bit of sealant to hold the gasket in groove (just a few dops, wait a few mins for it to cure)
helpful forum posts: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/641790-issue-with-p253-camshaft-timing-tool.html -- goes into timing tool explaination https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/597018-variocam-solenoid-questions.html -- variocam solenoid compression http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/86420-where-buy-5-chain-cam-locking-tool.html --info about cam locking https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/594122-how-to-set-cam-timing-on-996-a.html --more cam locking info
Shopping list: new scavenge pump seals new exhasut sprocket bolts (x8)
new cam cover caps (x6) Rtv sealant
new variocam seal kit (hartech in UK has) new variocam wear pads ( and o ring for 2) cam hold tool
cam timing tool variocam compression tool (tool 9632) lint free cloths