Blown Engine 1999 Boxster
 

Car has 26,000 miles and all servicing has been done by Porsche dealership per maintenance schedule.
Stopped for coffee, when I returned engine would not turn over. Thought it might be astarter but dealer just called and said blown engine!! Cost $9.500 to replace.
Any issues or programs with the 1999 model that can assisit me in getting Porsche to pick up some of this cost.

Bummed out

Are you in the US? Original owner?

Your one post ever doesn't give us much to go on.

You may have other options like "getting porsche to pick up some of the cost" before just telling the dealer to replace it.

In US, Purchased in March 1999 in California. Original owner.

Not much more to say. No indication there was any problem with the car. Ran fine, ni unusual noise, nothing. All servicing done per schedule and always at dealership.

replacemnet engine has been ordered as I need the car regardless if Porsche pays. Otherwise just have a planter box for the front yard

I hope you have some luck with Porsche NA on this one.

I've been researching Boxsters for the last few months and I'm seriously considering buying a 2001 (or newer) near the first of the year.

It's posts like yours though that make me rethink the prospective purchase. Porsche has to realize the Boxster Engine problem is hurting the brand. How many other prospective buyers have been scared off by the prospect of a $9500 engine replacement at 26,000 miles? Perhaps the used market would be more robust without such issues.

Does anyone know the percentage of Boxsters that have had catastrophic engine failure?

I would certainly feel better about purchasing a Boxster if I could find a reliable pre-owned warranty program with $1000 (or higher) deductible. So far, I haven't been able to find any program that looks legit.

Again, sorry to hear about the engine. Good luck.

Could this be the engine liner problem that keeps popping up on late 98/early 99 models?

Do a search on this site by entering "porous block". You will find a couple of threads discussing this problem on the '97- '99's. It may or may not have anything to do with the reason for your blown motor, but it's something to discuss with your dealer, anyway.

Here is a Pic.
 

This will let you know what happens to your motor.

Scott :ah:

Re: Here is a Pic.
 

Holy crap, man...that's a sight that I hope I NEVER have to see!

I suggest that you ask the service manager, to arrange a meeting with the Porsche NA respresentative to discuss how they can best meet the needs of you, an original owner and loyal customer. By simply, calmly stating and repeating your facts of ownership, dealer loyalty, and reasonable expectation that the car you purchased would provide reliable transportation for more than 26,000 miles... and giving them time to consider how they can make it right... you may recieve upgraded treatment.

some chanting and prayers ahead of time might not be a bad idea either :dance: - let us know if you schedule a meeting.

^I agree.

Warranty period or not, if your car was maintained per Porsche's recommendations and there are no signs of major abuse (e.g. overrevs) then I would push for Porsche to replace your motor on their dime. I think anything that falls under 10 years/60K miles should be fair game.

There is no way a motor with 26K miles should fail under normal use. Period.

This might be a long shot, but was it raining or did you get a car wash? What did the dealer say the problem was? Perhaps some water got into the motor and caused the problems, and maybe somehow you could get your insurance invovled to foot the bill.... just a thought.

Here is some more info about the cylinder liner thing:
http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa_question.asp?id={F3EA752A-E838-43E5-A43D-BB4F445F5A8F}

Perhaps you could figure out from your VIN if your vehicle had one of these engines.

If you could share with us what ends up happening that would be cool.

Good Luck!
Larez2

No rain, no car wash (other than by hand), perfect SoCal Ventura County weather. As the dealership is not allowed to open up the engine exact cause is unknown. They exhausted all tests to determine if other than engine failure and were unable to turn the engine over even manually.
Still waiting on word from Porsche NA but track record for them making good on this is very poor.

wow thats a nightmare! mickmouse i hope i also never see that.. I run my porsche very hard... high revs all the time... is this what causes that? if so i am selling my box in may 05 as i fancy a 996... i may just NOT use my boxster anymore as knowing my luck it will blow the engine a day before i sell the car!



very sorry to hear about your boxster rsilva... must be heartbreaking!

I mean do porsche want to have there name splattered all over the worlds media for blowing engine failures... it will damage there name... as if this happended to me i would tell porsche i would make alot of noise... watch them jump...

Pick up car today. Porsche NA agrred to pay half the cost of new engine, approx $3,000.
Leaves me with balance. WIll be test driving in Maliby Hills this weekend. No high revs - but lots of twist and turns - top down weather

Even after this 'event' would still recommend a Porsche to anyone looking to buy.

Only other car I would consider buying is the new Ferrari 460

That's probably about as good an outcome as could reasonably be expected on a out-of-warranty car. Still ridiculous on a car with only 26k, well maintained, etc.
So you ended up with a bill for about $6,500, if I did the math right.
Did they make any committment to get back to you on what went wrong with the engine? Or just say so long and thanks for the six grand?

2 year warranty - unlimited mileage.
engine goes back to Fatherland. I doubt if I will get answer other than 'catastrophic engine failure'
No big deal . broke is broke, reason no longer important, at least for me

i fancy a ferrari 360 spider, i just love them...

however thats like £97,000 so it may have to wait.... i will be gettinga ferrair 355 or a porsche 996 aint sure which one but the 996 is top up to now.

lol... lovely car, but HUUUUUGGGGEEE price difference :D