I think my engine just took a #$%!!
 

Karma is a b&%ch~!! I just said this past week I've had 0 problems with my car in the last 4 yrs and wouldn't ya know my car is on a flat bed headed to the dealership as we speak. I just got it back from the body shop today (for swirl removal) and as I'm headed to work the engine stumbles and nearly dies as I'm pulling away from a stop sign. I was pretty surprised as this has never happened before so I roll into a gas station and roll down my window. I hear a very loud clack clack noise that sped up as I raised rpms. I shut her down right away and I called a flat bed and it is now picked up and on the way to the dealership. Hopefully I'll have some answers from them tomorrow as to what's wrong with it. I'll keep you guys posted.

Sorry to hear that, Adam. I hope it turns out to be something minor, but I know you've got to be pretty worried. Let us know what you find out? Good luck.

Yes, please keep us posted. Wishing you a Texas-sized GOOD LUCK! What's up with these unprovoked engine problems. One minute you're riding high, and the next minute riding next to Big Al in his flat bed.

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?

Yeah Worries me big time. Makes me wonder if its engine oil or just defective parts...

Whats up with that... One minute your driving and the next, your being towed by Freak Show to his at home garage and touch his wifes tits and get offered a 3 some by Freak Show and his wife... Well maybe only in the movies.

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 :o

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?

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

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

Lets hope not! :confused:

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!

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?

:confused:

Geez, you guys jump to the worst conclusions first!

I hope it's not IMS failure.

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!! :eek: 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 :cool: I'll keep you guys posted as I get more info.

Adam,

Screw it. Just get a 3.4 or a 3.6 anyway. There is no better time than now! ;)

bad lifter eh?

were you hearing a tap at all in the weeks before this occured?

p.s.
incidentally, how often have you changed the oil and filter
and do you watch your temps before raise the RPMs?
how long does it take your car to get up to temp?

Hey Adam,how many miles are on the engine?

Yikes!

Sorry to hear the bad news.

You might be jumping the gun there with the 3.6 idea, i know of only 1 person who has done that on the 986 and hes still working out the kinks, the 3.4 however is doable but the engine costs more and there still is some mickey mouse work involved that the indy-mech will have to dive into. I'd consult with the mechanic even before you purchase the engine.

I change the oil and filter yearly. I have almost 23k on engine so I have put roughly 5-6 annually on the engine. I'm also careful to keep the revs low for the first 10 min or so until the engine is up to temp. The tapping never occured until yesturday.

hes got an 03, a 3.6 would be fine