Anyone knows what these CEL codes mean?
 

My 1998 boxster with 22,500 miles made a clack clack noise in the rear passenger area and promptly died. Hooked up diagnostic and got the following codes:

P0301 Misfire, Cylinder 1, Damaging to Catalytic Converter

P0341 Camshaft Position Sensor 1 - Signal Implausible, Short to Ground, Short to B+

P1531 Camshaft Adjustment, Bank 1

Anyone have any history with any of these. Going to have it towed tomorrow while I'm off. Thanks in advanced.

Sorry guy, no I dont. I have gotten CEL's before but not those, between the sound you heard and the codes, it does not seem promising, good luck,

Ed

:o

You should do some research on 97-98 Boxster engines
 

And some of the manufacturing defects that Porsche is still fixing for either free or for labor only.

Unfortunately, the details are all hush-hush lest lawyers get a hold of them. But the general knowledge is here as item #2 probably.

Check here:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?autocom=pcode&code=disclaimer

You will need to register on RennTech and accept their disclaimer.

Good luck.

Thank you both, I had it towed to the dealer this afternoon. They are supposed to get back with me tomorrow to let me know what they found as they are backed up today with scheduled appt's. I just got this car from my uncle because he hardly drove it but 2x a week. Had 17,000 miles on it and always garaged. Pristine with no rock chips or door dings. I knew about the RMS and early engine failures before i bought it from him. I read your entire site Mike and learned a lot before even getting the car to see what I was up against. He sold me the boxster for $16,500 and I couldn't pass up the deal.

I looked at some extended warranty to buy. Warranty Direct told me they do not warranty my car since it is more than 9 years old. I checked with Geico insurance that I have and they don't for any car older than 3 years old. No signs of leaking oil and he just had his 15,000 mile oil change 8 months ago. They saw no problems. I'm still going to try and find someone who will sell me a extended warranty if the problem comes back as some faulty spark plug wire or sensor causing the misfires. I pray it's not the RMS or Slipped sleave.

1531 reminds me of a code error I got once. Part of a Variocam Actuator failure (essentially a chain tensioner failure) in my situation. In my case, the car "failed" in a safe position and other than replacing the actuator, there was no damage (except to my wallet ;) )

My car actually died and was able to restart it and get it home since I was only 1/2 mile from my house. When the engine light came on, a clack-clack noise was coming from the rear passenger engine and promptly gave out 5 secs after. I lost power steering. I'm hoping it's something easy as your's, but I'm preparing for the worst. Glad to hear your's only hurt your wallet and not the car.
I'm was so happy driving the boxster until this went down. I was planning to drive it 2-3 times a week, but for the last 2 months, I've driven it almost everyday. It's so fun and so responsive, whatever I want it to do, it does. Now wait and see if I can even drive it.

It's official, add me to another low miles early edition boxster engine failure. Talked to the service manager and says I need to pay roughly $15,000 for new engine with parts and labor. Called Porsche NA and they said "We have no goodwill on any porsche out of warranty". I had a feeling it was engine failure after Mike had me re-read his link. I'm not going to pay $15,000 for a new engine out of my pocket that's for sure. Now to see what my options are.

CEL = Change Engine Light :mad:

That really sucks man, I'm sorry:(

You should check the forums (renntech and others) about still getting Porsche to help you out with the engine. If it is the cylinder sleeve, that's a manufacturing defect and seriously should be at least helped out regardless of how old the car is. I know if it's still under warranty usually you don't have a lot of trouble, but see if you can find anyone that got help from Porsche with the car out of warranty. Maybe they can give you some tips on who to talk to.

As far as what to do otherwise, I am curious if there is a market for blown engine cars, especially for someone who intends to race it or do a swap. Let us know what you find out.

-David

If your going to install an engine might as well be a 99' 996 non e-gas.

Source them from

http://911pcar.com/

http://www.silverstarrecycling.com/ ($6-8k for the 3.4L engine swap kit)

http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/

http://www.dcauto.com/

Good luck!

Thanks blinkwatt! I'm going to have to look at that route and maybe put a 3.4 into there and make it fast. What would be your guess for the final price for a 3.4 plus labor swap?

Used 3.4 (unknown history) can be $2500-4000..plus install. Crate motors (new) I think are around $9K plus install. Install is likely $2-3K (just a guess)

I've talked to a lot of people about putting a 99' 3.4L in a 99' 986 2.5L chassis and the install quotes have bounced around A LOT.

Instant G would do it for $1.5k-$3k max

Depending on where you are you may want to contact Todd(tholyoak) on renntech.org and see if he would do it for you,I have no clue how much he would charge. He's changes motors on his Boxster often and have plenty of exp. doing so.

Local shops wanted anywhere from $3k-5.5k............All the people who have done it,Instant G & Todd all same the same thing,it's easy. All the M96 engines are very similar,just bigger version of each other.Anyone who has done it a couples of times should be able to do it in 30 hours tops. Small things like the oil pump have to swapped or something funky has to be done,but it's still a pretty straight forward swap.

Heck if you want to D.I.Y. email me and I can send you Todd's Write-up.

Wow, you guys been a lot of help. I appreciate it all. I'm in Houston, but went to dental school in Kansas City, so I know exactly where Todd(tholyoak) in Lenexa, KS is. I read his write up and downloaded his PDF on how to do it. I have somewhat basic car repair knowledge, but this would be way out of my league. So far the estimates sound fairly resonable. I would have to look up some people here I guess.

I don't know how much it cost but I'd consider shipping your Box to one of them,a shop could mess something up if it's the first time they have done it.

I just searched the threads and tried to advance search Instant G by post, but it's giving me an error. Can you point me to one of his post. Thanks again.

http://www.instant-g.com/