99 Boxster Multiple misfire Please Help!

[Porsche_Newbie]

Have ran up and down the forums here but cant find the solution to my issue. I am getting a misfire code on every cylinder along with a misfire code (emissions related) on every cylinder. Also getting a code for Timing chain out of position bank 2.

Now it happened all of a sudden and will start up and rev fine but it idles like crap. I have read about the actuators and solenoids going bad. I tested both solenoids and they both click when given 12 v and there is power getting to them so I don't believe its a wiring issue. Now I have a hard time believing that if the timing is out of whack that it would start and rev as good as it does. I also would suspect that if the actuator on bank 2 was bad I would only be getting misfires on that banks cylinders?

Trying to make sense of this all. I am new to Porsches and really don't feel comfortable messing with any timing issues on it, but anything else im sure I can manage.

It happened when the road was wet so maybe something burnt out? Absolutely lost on this one, any help would be great

Thanks in advance

[JFP in PA]

Have ran up and down the forums here but cant find the solution to my issue. I am getting a misfire code on every cylinder along with a misfire code (emissions related) on every cylinder. Also getting a code for Timing chain out of position bank 2.

Now it happened all of a sudden and will start up and rev fine but it idles like crap. I have read about the actuators and solenoids going bad. I tested both solenoids and they both click when given 12 v and there is power getting to them so I don't believe its a wiring issue. Now I have a hard time believing that if the timing is out of whack that it would start and rev as good as it does. I also would suspect that if the actuator on bank 2 was bad I would only be getting misfires on that banks cylinders?

Trying to make sense of this all. I am new to Porsches and really don't feel comfortable messing with any timing issues on it, but anything else im sure I can manage.

It happened when the road was wet so maybe something burnt out? Absolutely lost on this one, any help would be great

Thanks in advance

While you did not state the actual codes, the one for the cam timing being out on bank 2 is worrisome. Please post your actual codes and the system used to obtain them (Durametric, PIWIS, PST II, OBD II scanner, etc.). The individual bank solenoids can be tested in place with the correct diagnostics tool.

[Porsche_Newbie]

Ok thanks for the reply, I have the codes written down at home and im at work now, it worries me too, im not driving it at this time because I don't want to make matters worse if they are serious. I will post all the codes asap, its about 13 codes.

[Porsche_Newbie]

codes are P0300, P0301, p0302 ,p0303,p0304,p0305,p0306 ,

P1319 Factory Fault Code 62 - Misfire, emission related
p1316

p1317

p1315
P1318 Factory Fault Code 55 - Misfire, cylinder 6, emission related

and code P1324 Timing Chain out of Position, Bank 2

that's the codes that its pulling using an obd11 scanner

sometimes it takes a little bit of running after clearing the codes for them all to come back but its not very drivable and puts at idle

[JFP in PA]

P1324 is the big one here, that indicates that the intake cam on Bank 2 timing is below the lower limit, meaning the cam is out of time. One problem is that many "generic" OBD II scanners spit out ghost codes along with the real ones.

If the car was in my shop, I would run the cam deviations values (spec is +/- 6 degrees) to see where they really are. That requires the use of a PST II, PIWIS, or the Durametric diagnostic tools to accomplish. Either a cam position sensor has gone bad, or more likely one of the VarioCam components on that bank is on the way out. All of these systems can test the VarioCam components on the car as well.

Because you do not know if the problem is a major shift in cam timing or not, I would not be driving the car at all, and would suggest flat bedding it to a shop with the correct tools to do the diagnostics. If the cam really has moved beyond the lower limit, you could be only a few degrees away from piston to valve contact, which will be fatal.

[Porsche_Newbie]

Ok, not what I really wanted to hear but I appreciate the help. Now if it is the position sensor, I believe there are two on this car? if there are could I swap them to see if the code follows to the other bank?

[JFP in PA]

Ok, not what I really wanted to hear but I appreciate the help. Now if it is the position sensor, I believe there are two on this car? if there are could I swap them to see if the code follows to the other bank?

What you need to do is have the car diagnosed on a Porsche specific system; swapping around the sensors is more effort than it is worth when you can plug in a computer and see how they are doing. Get the car checked.

[Porsche_Newbie]

ok will do, thanks for your help

[Porsche_Newbie]

Ok, So update.

Took it to a local mechanic who has worked on the car before. I have a feeling that he is clueless and just wants to replace or rebuild the motor. Quoted me 5500,...the cars not even worth that to me honestly.

He says the timing chains all need to be replaced and reset, the piston rings need to be replaced because apparently after hes had it for a week, its smoking now???

He says either that or he can get a used motor with 74k and put it in for 5000.

I asked him about the variocam actuator which I have heard lots about when trying to diagnose, he said sounded like he didn't know what I was talking about and then said, yes, its fine. "Its", there are more than one and I know that, the way he said it made me think he was clueless. I asked him for timing deviation and he said it was 90 degrees on one side and I forget what he said on the other side. I could swear I have heard +6.-6 was regular so 90 sounds a little far off, I have a hard time believing that the car would even start without a piston going through the head. Any insight on his diagnosis? should I bite the bullet and pay to get it towed to another mechanic to diagnose and compare diagnosis?

Thanks for your help in advance

Edited September 18, 2013 by Porsche_Newbie

[Loren]

My advice would be to find a "Porsche shop" - someone that has a reputation for working on these cars and get a diagnosis and quote before doing anything rash (like re-building the engine or selling the car).

[Silver_TT]

Agree with Loren. You need to find someone reputable with Porsche-specific experience...not a generalist. He doesn't know what Variocam is? I would not want someone that appears clueless even touching my car and especially not in a situation like this . Also, you said the engine is smoking now. Why in the !@#$ is he running the engine if the timing is off?

By the way, most insurance (at least in my state) will reimburse you fully for tows and it doesn't count against you in terms of increasing your premiums. Get this car moved over to someone that knows what they are doing. This is not a situation you want to horse around with.

[Porsche_Newbie]

Thanks for your input. Ill see if I can get it to another mechanic as soon as possible, I don't want this guy making the situation worse by screwing with something he apparently knows nothing about. Ill keep you all updated

Thanks again

[911rs]

Hi,

any update to this ?Please

BR

911rs