Hi folks,
Vehicle is a 2012 Panamera 4 with 59k miles. Dealer did the camshaft bolts recall back in April and said the chain is making noise. Been driving it but lately its been very rough sounding. There is a metal clang noise when starting and listening thru the oil fill hole it sounding like a lot of rattling on idle. So, decided to open up and check the timing chain and if necessary do the replacements. Been wrenching a lot on this car and my Boxster but first time diving this deep into the engine. So need some advise and guidance from folks who have done this or are knowledgeable in this area. Don't see many technical posts on topics this serious in the Panamera forum but thought I'll try before taking it to other sub-forums like the Cayenne one.

As you will see and hear in the below video when i move the crankshaft pulley back and forth the Bank 1 chain makes a weird noise and the chain seems to slap Where the tensioner is. You can actually see the chain and guide move up and down below the sprocket. It doesn't happen on Bank 2(driver). It may just be the tensioner gone bad but I'd like to open up and make sure the chain, guides etc are good since I've come this far.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZZ...HBQTllVseVWxKj

What I need help with is on how to go about locking the camshaft to replace the chain and guides. I don't want to set the timing again and would like to keep the existing timing as is as it was correct when i checked it in Durametric. Is this possible? I read up the online posts and also some videos. I also have access to the Porsche PIWIS docs which I went thru. I'm not clear which steps I should follow if I was to open the timing cover and replace the chain and guides. These steps don't talk about locking the camshafts with the Porsche camshaft locking tool to retain the existing timing.

Also If was to remove the damper pulley and then the timing cover, how would you go about setting the TDC without the pulley and lock the camshaft after wards? Is this a stupid question to begin with? Very confused. Thanks in advance for inputs.

 

Hello. I want to change my timing chain. And the slide rails. Did you do it.
Did you use the adjustment tool?Thanks for information
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Yes, you will need to use the tool to lock the cam. What year and model is your car and why do you think the chain needs to be replaced?

 

Hello. The slide rail is broken. I swap the whole set with the chain. I think it's better to swap everything. Panamera 2011 3.6
Does the motor have to be set to 45 degrees before TDC in order to replace the chain?And after changing the chain to TDC with the bolt and the adjustment tool.

Or can I dismantle and assemble everything on TDC?

 

You'll need to get the workshop manual to do this correctly. Without it you'll need to be a good mechanic that knows what he is doing. When you use the tool it'll lock things the way it needs to be. Do you have the tool? Are you already deep into the process or yet to start?

 

I have the tool.In the workshop there is 45 degrees before TDC. That made me wonder.

 

Its been 2 years and I can't remember. Whats the document number you referring to? I can look it up and let you know.

 

You talking about this? You won't be able to do it wrong as it you have it at 45 and the cams aren't aligned to fit the tool, then you need to re-rotate it until you are able to fit the tool properly. Don't force the tool. if all is aligned and well it will fall into place easily and there will be no gaps as described in the WM. This is VERY IMPORTANT. I'd change the sprockets too while you are there. My existing chain was same measurement as the new chain and I thought it was a waste of an effort. but, after installation it was nice and snug. Change the tensioner too.

 

Yes, that's exactly what I meant. The adjustment tool does not fit at 45 degree before TDC.
So everything on TDC, and with timing tool. I also swap the chain tensioner.

 

The tool also comes with a locking pin for the pulley. Use that pin. Good luck.

 

have a 2011 panamera 4, 72k miles, 6 cylinder engine. my timing chain guides have also disintegrated and looking at replacement. how hard was this as a DIY job? any tips or tricks appreciated. btw, before doing the job did you have any metal fragements in the oil? ive got some tiny gold flecks in my oil. thx!

 

I did not see any metal fragments or even specks before or after opening it up. But there was a lot of chain slack noise. Confirmed that by opening the oil filler and pushing on the chain. It could have just been the tensioner but I didn’t try replacing that first. If you are sure the guides are toast then opening it up and replacing the chain, guides and tensioner has to be done. It’s not complicated but a tedious job as lot of things need to be taken off to open up the front. You’ll spend 90% of the hours in dismantling and putting it all back. Installing the chain etc takes very little time. If you are mechanically handy and can follow the manual you should be good. Use the repair workshop manual from Porsche. Or pm me your email and I’ll send over what I have. Back when I did the parts alone cost me 1500.

 

Change your chain tensionner it's the first problem ans easy to change.
If after you have always problem you need control the chain timing.

 

Second the above. But if you found pieces of guides in your oil then just tensioner is not going to fix it. I also have the Cam locking tool which is must. You can have it for shipping cost.

 

Where can i get a workshop manual to do this timing ? new to the panamera.