Has anyone had a camshaft acuator go bad??

I'm have code p0021 cam over timed bank 2 ...
Happened just after a hard acceleration ...

Car started idling ruff and has no power down low...

Was told today that the acuator is mostly stuck... Need to unscrew and let oil flow free again...

Anyone had this issue ? Same experiences?? Same fix??

 

No problem with cam timing in my Boxster, just a bad solenoid/actuator.

Let's see: P0021 Adjustment of Inlet Camshaft in relation to Crankshaft, Bank 2 – Signal Implausible.

Possible cause of fault:
Oil pressure too low.
Bad inlet camshaft adjuster.
Dirt in the oil circuit.
Seals on the inlet camshaft adjuster bad.
Magnetic hydraulic valve bad.

While the code can arise from a number of possible causes it could (could) be a precursor to a failing IMSB. Thus, to err on the side of caution you really should avoid running the engine any at all until you have this diagnosed and addressed.

This error code probably needs the attention of a most experienced Porsche tech. It can be an expensive experience to toss parts at the error code and of course there's the risk of the condition escalating to the point the engine suffers serious mechanical failure.

I am not a professional tech but the "diagnosis" you received:

Was told today that the acuator is mostly stuck... Need to unscrew and let oil flow free again...

suggests the shop you are using may not be the best shop to have this looked into.

 

Pulled the acuator out today... The part is leaking oil back into the and through the electrical connector ... It's not holding pressure its just seeping oil through the whole part not allowing it to function properly...

Ims has been replaced already... 48k mile car ...

Thankfully on the 2003 the cam cover doesn't have to be removed... Easy repair..

Porsche dealer here I come ...$237 part at retail ...

Read a few others have had this exact situation also

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$237 is very low compared to what the solenoid (and actuator) cost for my 2002. These parts are in the $700 range.

But if that is what is causing the problem then that's great and that you can do the work yourself without having to remove the camshaft covers and the cams and mess with timing that's even better.

Happy Holidays!

 

This is actually a shop project car for us.... With the help of IPD and a few other parts distributors were going for a 11.90 1/4 mile time in this NA 996 .... Granted we know these aren't 1/4 mile cars ... But at every track in the world theres a 1/4 mile straight away...mostly coming out of a turn...

We feel very competent we can make this happen ..

After in house Cobb tuning we hoping to see close to 400 crank.... Before everyone blast me here... Yes this is accomplishable ...may have to step up to 82mm Plenum and TB....

But I've scowered the net ... Without any luck of finding a project done like so...

Only Weight reduction has been ...

Muffler Delete
Spare tire and tools
Stock air box
Bose rear subs

Hoping we don't have to pull the bumper supports at 20 lbs each..

We're going for a safe and drivable 11.90 not bare bones and all over the road.. As we want to duplicate these packages installed and tuned somewhere in high 2k range...

The people need more options... The days of spending 5k on all this stuff is over... There are more and more 996 and 997 owners appearing everyday and if they can't afford a turbo... We will make sure they get every bit of performance out of their NA car..

None of this would be possible without the support of the vendors or our amazing world accredited Porsche Tuner in house...

The 996 and 997 market will have cheaper options going forward...period