Timing chain tentioner replacement

[Uberslider]

Hello to all.
I am new to this forum but not to the world of Porsche. I posted this on the boxter forum yesterday in response to Wayne's artica Boxster Project 16: Camshaft Upgrade / Chain Tensioner Replacement.

I have a 1999 996 C2 6spd. and I believe i have a timing chain tensioner that is sticking. My car set for six months due to a broken left foot. To make a long story short I have what sounds like a chain rattle on the right bank (passenger side) In the past I would hear this for a second at start up. I am planing on replacing all three external tensioners and have read your right up (Camshaft Upgrade / Chain Tensioner Replacement) and I have a few questions. I am going to order the parts and tools needed from the Pelican wed site. I will order the P253 tools to set the cams in place and I am fairly certain I need two of them, one for each bank of cylinders. If I under stand this correctly from the first part of your right up, TDC for cylinder 1 is 360 off from cylinder 4,is this correct? Can I hold the cams in place on both sides at one time? If not when I replace the tensioner for the IMS which side do I hold in place? Is there any prep for the new tensioners before installation and is there a start up procedure? I also noticed in the photos in your right up that the spark plugs are still in the engine, can I spin the crank with the plugs in place? I would like to follow up on how helpful Pelican Parts has been in the past, the people on the phone have been a great deal of help with the 944 my son and I built for his daily driver collage.

[BYprodriver]

If you are only replacing the tensioners the only special tool you need is a 32mm socket & torque wrench, maybe a 14mm allen socket for 1 of the tensioners. Do them 1 at a time starting with the IMS chain tensioner by the oil filter. Submerge the tensioners in clean oil & pump the plunger to fill it with oil before installing.