I think my engine just took a #$%!!

Hey Adam, that sucks. Sorry to hear about this.

Did it drop any fluids...oil...coolant? Did the bodyshop drive the car? If so, can you tell how many miles?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Hey Adam, that sucks. Sorry to hear about this.

Did it drop any fluids...oil...coolant? Did the bodyshop drive the car? If so, can you tell how many miles?

I've worked with the body shop a couple of times in the past and they are good and honest people. I highly doubt they did anything; I didn't record the mileage before I dropped it off to them. I even called them to ask, and the owner assured me nobody drove it unnecessarily. The car seemed to run fine right up point of meltdown. No leaks, no overheating, nothing. If anything it maybe seemed like it lacked a little power lately, but that may be in my head. I have an extended 7 yr warranty so hopefully any and all cost will be coverered. Something definately let loose in the engine, so I'm expecting the worst

Could it be the dreaded intermediate shaft?

If you have to do an engine replacement, might be a good time to get the 3.6L Carrera motor!

Did you send the car to Indy?

[Grizzly]

Geez, Adam, that really sucks. Like Bill, I'd have to guess IMS.

[Brucelee]

Sounds like IMS. My neighbors was idling at a stop light. Then, bye.

Lets hope not!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Could it be the dreaded intermediate shaft?

If you have to do an engine replacement, might be a good time to get the 3.6L Carrera motor!

Did you send the car to Indy?

Yeah, the car is in Indy right now. I am thinking IMS failure myself, but I should know for sure in the next day or two. The engine isn't locked up, but it sure sounds like s**t!

[JCL12]

This post certainly seems eeriely similar to "my IMS crapped out on me" posts. How did you get your 7yr warrant and do you think this will be covered?

To me, IMS failure is the only realy scary part of boxster ownership. I really wish our community could mobilize and get some policy in place because this is clearly a major design flaw inherent to the engineering of the M96 motor.

Couldn't this fall under the realm of the implied warranty of merchantability and fitness?

[RandallNeighbour]

Geez, you guys jump to the worst conclusions first!

I hope it's not IMS failure.

[Adam]

Thanks for your support guys! Ok, Bubba (yes that was the name on the flatbed driver's shirt believe it or not) rolled into Indy right before 6 pm and the tech there briefly checked it out. I didn't talk to him directly, but word is the tech feels it's a collapsed lifter or some sort of lifter issue, not IMS. This makes sense I guess as an IMS failure would probably lock up the engine or just not run at all. This will still necessitate engine removal and lots of labor. As far as the 7 yr warranty is concerned, I got that through the dealership. It covers the expensive stuff ie: powertrain so either way I should be ok. I'm glad I got it because the car was bought 4 yrs 3 weeks ago....right outside the standard warranty!! Well, I wasn't hoping for a catastrophic failure, but the silver lining in the back of my head was a 3.6L engine transplant....that may not be neccesary yet I'll keep you guys posted as I get more info.