Importance of Your Porsche’s Camshaft Variator in Tempe

by admin May 14, 2019

When you own a Porsche, you expect excellence in performance and horsepower, two things Porsche is known for. However, these vehicles still have parts that will break down over time, just like any other brand. When one part stops working, others will follow soon, so it is important to maintain them all. One of the more vital parts of your Porsche that can experience problems is the camshaft variator. We’ll go over what a camshaft variator is, what it does, why it is important, signs of failure, why it fails, and what you can do when it does.

What is a camshaft variator and what does it do?

The camshaft variator is part of the Variable Valve Timing System (VVTS.) This system alters the timing of the valve lift in order to improve gas mileage, lower harmful emissions, and ensure high performance whenever you drive. The variator itself attaches to the camshaft and kickstarts the altering the timing between inlet and exhaust.

Why a Camshaft Variator is Important

Without a functioning camshaft variator in your Porsche, your performance while driving will be lowered more and more over time, and other parts will eventually be damaged. If this problem is not fixed within a reasonable amount of time, your entire car could break down.

Signs of Camshaft Variator Failure

When your camshaft variator begins to fail, you may notice a few odd things happening to your vehicle. If these symptoms are happening more often, take your Porsche into a professional repair shop as soon as possible.

• The check engine light will come on. This could be for several reasons. If this happens alongside other symptoms though, your camshaft variator could be in trouble. No matter why the light comes on, you should have the issue addressed right away.
• When the engine is idling, it will make a rough sound. Also, the engine may misfire when you try to start it.
• Your gas mileage will decrease. If you drive the same distance every day, going to the gas station more is definitely cause for concern.

Why a Camshaft Variator Fails

Here are a few reasons why a camshaft variator in a Porsche may fail:

• The sensors have failed and cannot relay info to the variator of the VVTS system. Without that important information, the system cannot do its job accurately.
• The valve of the VVTS is stuck either in the open or closed position.
• The variator is broken and will not turn the camshaft at all.
• Normal wear over time damages the variator, which is normal and not a major cause for alarm as long you get the issue fixed as soon as possible.

What You Can Do

When your Porsche’s camshaft variator fails, there is really only one thing you can do in the present to address the problem. You need to take it to a mechanic who is qualified and ready to do repairs so that they can diagnose and fix your vehicle. Untrained eyes do not get the job done right the first time and could end up costing you more.

In the future, always get preventative maintenance done and have your Porsche inspected by a qualified mechanic. This person can spot almost any malfunction before it gets out of hand, which can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Where to Go for Camshaft Variator Repairs

When you need your camshaft variator or any other part of your Porsche fixed like new again, you should see someone who is experienced, reliable, and qualified to work specifically on European vehicles. Other mechanics work mostly on domestic cars and may not be able to do what needs to be done to your Porsche in a timely manner. You could go to a dealership, but they often charge an exorbitant amount.

If you are looking for someone who can help and who truly cares about both you and your Porsche, come to Mcilvain Motors. We have years of experience and a lot of satisfied customers to show for our attention to detail. All of our technicians are well trained, so you know you are in good hands and can trust us with your luxury vehicle.

If you are in the Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Phoenix, or Scottsdale, Arizona areas, then come in and let us prove to you that we are the right choice now and for any future repairs you may need.

* Porsche Cayman image credit goes to: SusanaValera.