Fault code 178 Camshaft Adjustment Bank 1 issue in 1999 996 C4

[jasmus1]

Thank you so much for your detailed list of things to watch out for, Logray. I am going to meet with the mechanic and I will definitely bring these up. I'll keep you posted.

[logray]

This outta be fun since that type of analysis normally makes for "interesting" conversations...

[jasmus1]

Just returned form the shop. I met with the mechanic and he walked me though everything. My car was on the lift with the transmission out and the cam adjusters removed. He showed me one cam solenoid/actuator unit that he had out and it had fairly deep grooves primarily on one side. He said that he planned on replacing the chains and spark plug tubes/rings as you suggested and showed me the parts pile he had assembled for my car. He showed me the IMS bearing he removed and it looked pretty bad. He said I was lucky that it was only a matter of time before it failed. He showed me the clutch plate and it was really worn, almost down to the rivets. I went through the parts list he had and he agreed about the things your pointed out, logray. He said it was the secretary who entered things wrong but that it would definitely be fixed when the work is done. He's also going to replace the AOS and timing chains. I suggested that I purchase my own parts and bring them, but they kind of have you over a barrel because if I did then the labor rate increases. C'est la vie. Or should I say das ist Leben.

I can post pictures if anyone's interested. The work should be completed next week. I'm really looking forward to it. Now, I just need to sell a couple of my favorite watches to pay for this (Tag Heuer Monaco and Bell & Ross 03-92)!

[logray]

Yeah everyone's got to put food on the table... Good thing you're getting it taken care of.

[jasmus1]

Just got the final invoice for the work. Ouch.

I'm concerned about the note on the pinion niose. I thought this was common to 1999 C4's. Should I worry about this?

I pick the car up tomorrow. Can't wait!

JC

[Loren]

Well, it looks like they charged you list price - for everything.

And the labor - 10 hours at $150/hour?

[jasmus1]

Yep. Still much less than the dealer quote (because I had much more work done). They worked on it for over 2 weeks. Once they have your car with its guts spilled all over the shop, they have you. I'm trying to look at the brighter side and looking forward to getting it back today. Maybe I should sell it now before it gets too deep. Never mind...too late for that!

[logray]

Well at least they fixed the parts list and removed the stuff that didn't make sense.... but I guess you have to pay the Porsche tax sometimes... $1500 labor sounds very reasonable to me for dropping the engine and replacing both variocam actuators. If you were to have walked in the parts and saved a couple grand, I'm sure they would have jacked up the labor.

I'm sure the car is running great!

[jasmus1]

Got her back yesterday and she sure looks great. Drives incredible, too! Thank you logray, loran and others for your advice and help!

If anyone in the area wants to know, it was International Motor Cars in Bridgewater, MA who did the repairs. They were the best service department I have ever worked with. Very up front with pricing, patient with all of my many MANY questions and open to walking me through what needed to be done. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

JC