Local indi - "you need a new variocam solenoid/actuator fitting&#3

[farmer boy]

Hi all, just a bit of a whinge regarding garages.......  I have had a lumpy tickover for a while and when the engine is cold it will not tickover - fine after a couple of blips of the throttle.  Took it into my local Porsche specialist and after connecting the computer and lifting it up on the ramp I was reliably informed that the variocam on the drivers side is stuck hence the lumpy tickover...  I was a bit short of cash that month so elected to leave it for a bit. 

After a bit of research on here I decided to replace all of the spark plugs and coils - this made a huge difference but it was still a bit lumpy and would still not idle when cold.  I ordered a new idle air control valve (£60 ebay) - took a few minutes to fit and everything is now perfect.....  glad I did not part with my £800!

 

ps checked the codes and all that showed was IAC valve - which is now cleared.  Just wondering how they came to their original diagnosis?

 

pps - the instructions for the new IACV stated that I should turn the ignition on without starting for 10 secs and repeat 3 times - what is that all about?

 

 

[JFP in PA]

Hi all, just a bit of a whinge regarding garages.......  I have had a lumpy tickover for a while and when the engine is cold it will not tickover - fine after a couple of blips of the throttle.  Took it into my local Porsche specialist and after connecting the computer and lifting it up on the ramp I was reliably informed that the variocam on the drivers side is stuck hence the lumpy tickover...  I was a bit short of cash that month so elected to leave it for a bit. 

After a bit of research on here I decided to replace all of the spark plugs and coils - this made a huge difference but it was still a bit lumpy and would still not idle when cold.  I ordered a new idle air control valve (£60 ebay) - took a few minutes to fit and everything is now perfect.....  glad I did not part with my £800!

 

ps checked the codes and all that showed was IAC valve - which is now cleared.  Just wondering how they came to their original diagnosis?

 

pps - the instructions for the new IACV stated that I should turn the ignition on without starting for 10 secs and repeat 3 times - what is that all about?

 

Obviously, I have no idea how they came to their diagnosis.  To test for a bad VarioCam solenoid, you would normally use Porsche specific diagnostic software, which can actuate the VarioCam units one at time on observe the change (or lack thereof) in cam angles.

 

The IACV needs to "learn" throttle position and some other information from the car in order to function correctly, which is what that procedure is all about.