Shortlived Boxster engines survey - Page 2 - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

ghha · 12-11-2008, 07:56 AM

1999 Boxster, 45k miles, engine blew due to cylinder liner slip. Out of warranty (we are 3rd owner, bought with 15k on clock (didn't even have 1st service done!).

I wrote a heart-wrenching letter to Porsche Customer Care - they settled for a 60/40 split, so we paid $4k for a new engine, with a 2 year warranty and fitted free. New engine in a car with 45k miles.......Score!

I can let fellow sufferers have a copy of the letter, if needed. Can't guarantee you will get same result as each case is treated individually - that's why letter is free!

ghha

Bobiam · 12-11-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghha

1999 Boxster, 45k miles, engine blew due to cylinder liner slip. Out of warranty (we are 3rd owner, bought with 15k on clock (didn't even have 1st service done!).

I wrote a heart-wrenching letter to Porsche Customer Care - they settled for a 60/40 split, so we paid $4k for a new engine, with a 2 year warranty and fitted free. New engine in a car with 45k miles.......Score!

I can let fellow sufferers have a copy of the letter, if needed. Can't guarantee you will get same result as each case is treated individually - that's why letter is free!

ghha

EXCELLENT information. Thank you. A 9 yr old car with only 45K is a good example of a well cared for car (I assume that you do not race it) that went bad and your skills with writing reaped a fair reward. Now it's a keeper. Good luck and thanks again.
How long ago did this all happen???

ovul82jazz · 07-27-2009, 01:44 PM

Hi There...

If you wouldn't mind sharing a draft of your letter to Porsche, it would be wonderful. No panic, but I just would like to be prepared if anything untoward happens.

Thanks very much for your generous offer!

Rover

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobiam

EXCELLENT information. Thank you. A 9 yr old car with only 45K is a good example of a well cared for car (I assume that you do not race it) that went bad and your skills with writing reaped a fair reward. Now it's a keeper. Good luck and thanks again.
How long ago did this all happen???

sfkjeld · 08-10-2008, 02:41 AM

My immaculate 2000 S with 33k engine blew on the San Mateo bridge last Tuesday. 500 miles after a major service. There were no issues with the car, no warning, just a plume of smoke and oil everywhere.

Slipped sleeve is the diagnosis. Looking at $15-17k to replace. Porsche of America jerked me around pretending to be sympathetic. Insisted I tow the car to a dealer (it was originally towed to a fine Porsche independent shop in San Carlos). The dealer confirmed the diagnosis, but Porsche summarily declined my request within minutes, to help with the repair.

The car is on Craigslist now, selling it as a roller.

Have come a long way this week. Had been a 20yr Porsche enthusiast, PCA member, owner of 3 911's, etc. Now I hate this slimey company and think these Boxsters are junk. Criminally expensive junk.

If you have one, assume the position and get someone to sell you a warranty. Otherwise, get your 986 on Craigslist as quick as you can. These cars are not worth the risk.

I was told there was talk of a class action suit on this forum. Did that get anywhere? If there was ever a case for one, this seems to be it.

edevlin · 08-10-2008, 06:08 AM

As usual, reading these horror stories about our engines blowing freaked me out. So, I ran right out this morning and changed my oil and filter (just under my usual 5K change interval). 76K and counting.....

Ed

Brucelee · 08-10-2008, 07:15 AM

These stories just depress me!

sfkjeld · 08-10-2008, 09:47 AM

2000 S. Had major service done 500mi ago, early July. No issues. Driving across San Mateo Bridge, no overheating (I looked), no warning lights, just the muted sound of my engine blowing up. Diagnosed as sleeve slip on #4.

Porsche wants $11k for motor, est $2k for install, + clutch and maybe cats (oil soaked during engine meltdown).

Car is now on craigslist, being sold as a roller.

Don't dream of owning one of these cars out of warranty....

chitowndad · 08-10-2008, 10:13 AM

So I'm wondering how many of you guys that have had the engine failure tracked your cars. Is the wear and tear of tracking the car what pushes it to the limits of it's design, i.e., if we drive our cars normally with the occasional "get on it" experience will we survive w/o a catastrophic failure?

Just curious.

This topic is so depressing it makes me want to sell my Boxster and I've only got 10,000 miles on it so I'm really worried that the low mileage cars are more prone to this issue.

-Steve

turbo23dog · 08-10-2008, 11:13 AM

I guess much like everyone else... I've been following this thread.

After today's post of another engine failure, I felt compelled to review all the posts in this thread to date and provide a summary. In total, there are 6 reported engine failures, three of them 2.5L engines and three are 3.2L engines. Here's the details in the order in which they were posted:

Year Engine Miles Notes
1998 2.5L 65000 Slipped cylinder liner
2001 3.2L 78000 Slipped cylinder liner (noted track time)
2000 3.2L 26000 No exact cause given; oil in coolant
1999 2.5L 67000 Intermediate Shaft (IMS) failure
1997 2.5L 19000 Slipped cylinder sleeve
2000 3.2L 33000 Slipped cylinder sleeve

There's far too few data points here to draw any conclusions but I am suprised that the only car with IMS failure was a 1999 2.5L. Other than that, things seem total random without regard to miles or engine.

saaber · 08-18-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo23dog

I guess much like everyone else... I've been following this thread.

After today's post of another engine failure, I felt compelled to review all the posts in this thread to date and provide a summary. In total, there are 6 reported engine failures, three of them 2.5L engines and three are 3.2L engines. Here's the details in the order in which they were posted:

Year Engine Miles Notes
1998 2.5L 65000 Slipped cylinder liner
2001 3.2L 78000 Slipped cylinder liner (noted track time)
2000 3.2L 26000 No exact cause given; oil in coolant
1999 2.5L 67000 Intermediate Shaft (IMS) failure
1997 2.5L 19000 Slipped cylinder sleeve
2000 3.2L 33000 Slipped cylinder sleeve

There's far too few data points here to draw any conclusions but I am suprised that the only car with IMS failure was a 1999 2.5L. Other than that, things seem total random without regard to miles or engine.

Bob O · 08-10-2008, 06:28 PM

While it's sad and very depressing to read about engine failures on our cars (especially ones with so few miles), one must keep in mind that we haven't heard from the thousands of others with no problems at all. As is ALWAYS the case with these type of forums. One only hears about the problem children and not the A students. Like mine for instance. 58,000 miles and the only issues with it so far have been an ignition switch failure ($29 diy fix with an audi switch from the local dealer) and a short in the driver's seat heater (not fixed yet simply because it doesn't bother me and isn't causing any other problems). Otherwise its' been trouble free. No MAF issue, no top issues, no broken chain tensioners (oh wait.. that was the 911!!) nothing. Change the oil, brake pads, and various filters, get new tires occasionally and that's about it. And yes.. I take it to the track. (ok.. so I've probably jinxed myself)

It's truly sad and I sympathize with those who have had engine failures. Unfortunately, there's no way at all to determine the actual failure rate. We don't know if its .0005% or 5%. Of the thousands and thousands of Boxsters sold, how many owners post here and on the other forums? Not that many. And Porsche won't release any info about failures. Any "surveys" one might see on the net are suspect at best, and probably (certainly??) not statistically sound. They're interesting to read but, sadly once again, one can't draw any valid conclusioins from them. If only........................

Maybe we should start a thread about our UNbroken Boxsters.

Bob

Frodo · 08-10-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

"I was told there was talk of a class action suit on this forum. Did that get anywhere? If there was ever a case for one, this seems to be it."

Posted by sfkjeld.

Yep, although it was a 911 involved. The news story was dated July 28, 2008, so it's probably gonna be a l o n g time before we get any meaningful outcome results. It may just result in some sort of settlement prior to going to trial. The results of that would be plenty interesting enough, though (unfortunately) often part of the settlement includes a stipulation that the terms of the settlement NOT be made public. That would, I suspect, more than likely happen here (Porsche being the likely party desirous of concealing any compromise it might make on the matter).

Here's the link:

http://www.northjersey.com/business/news/Porsches_blown_motor_spurs_suit.html

As of a few days ago, I've requested updates on the case...nothing so far. I'll post them as I get 'em.

blue2000s · 08-11-2008, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frodo

Quote:

"I was told there was talk of a class action suit on this forum. Did that get anywhere? If there was ever a case for one, this seems to be it."

Posted by sfkjeld.

Yep, although it was a 911 involved. The news story was dated July 28, 2008, so it's probably gonna be a l o n g time before we get any meaningful outcome results. It may just result in some sort of settlement prior to going to trial. The results of that would be plenty interesting enough, though (unfortunately) often part of the settlement includes a stipulation that the terms of the settlement NOT be made public. That would, I suspect, more than likely happen here (Porsche being the likely party desirous of concealing any compromise it might make on the matter).

Here's the link:

http://www.northjersey.com/business/news/Porsches_blown_motor_spurs_suit.html

As of a few days ago, I've requested updates on the case...nothing so far. I'll post them as I get 'em.

That article refers to the cracked cylinder liner issue that was seen in the early 3.4L engines. If Porsche was forced to recall the cars, it wouldn't effect Boxsters.

Frodo · 08-11-2008, 06:38 AM

Quote:

"That article refers to the cracked cylinder liner issue that was seen in the early 3.4L engines. If Porsche was forced to recall the cars, it wouldn't effect Boxsters."

Posted by blue2000s.

Yeah, sure, but it's similar issues. It sets a precedent, one that may be applicable in similar cases (like the Boxsters with RMS or IMS ailments). This is especially true if the case actually goes to trial and Porsche gets a judgment against them. That could be a real wake up call to them, though the likely appeals could drag on for years.

But, ya gotta start somewhere...

danyl55 · 12-31-2010, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob O

While it's sad and very depressing to read about engine failures on our cars (especially ones with so few miles), one must keep in mind that we haven't heard from the thousands of others with no problems at all. As is ALWAYS the case with these type of forums. One only hears about the problem children and not the A students. Like mine for instance. 58,000 miles and the only issues with it so far have been an ignition switch failure ($29 diy fix with an audi switch from the local dealer) and a short in the driver's seat heater (not fixed yet simply because it doesn't bother me and isn't causing any other problems). Otherwise its' been trouble free. No MAF issue, no top issues, no broken chain tensioners (oh wait.. that was the 911!!) nothing. Change the oil, brake pads, and various filters, get new tires occasionally and that's about it. And yes.. I take it to the track. (ok.. so I've probably jinxed myself)

It's truly sad and I sympathize with those who have had engine failures. Unfortunately, there's no way at all to determine the actual failure rate. We don't know if its .0005% or 5%. Of the thousands and thousands of Boxsters sold, how many owners post here and on the other forums? Not that many. And Porsche won't release any info about failures. Any "surveys" one might see on the net are suspect at best, and probably (certainly??) not statistically sound. They're interesting to read but, sadly once again, one can't draw any valid conclusioins from them. If only........................

Maybe we should start a thread about our UNbroken Boxsters.

Bob

good idea Bob--my 97 has 120k and only a water pump replaced and routine maint. I don't track the car--just enjoy the hell out of it in the twisty mountains.

Oaktown 986 · 12-31-2010, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danyl55

good idea Bob--my 97 has 120k and only a water pump replaced and routine maint. I don't track the car--just enjoy the hell out of it in the twisty mountains.

Amen brotha... just hit 95k with nothing but standard maintenance for an 11 year old car.

ponyster · 02-12-2009, 09:14 PM

I purchased my 02 Boxster S from my boss! Everyone thought it was brand new because he had taken such good care of the car, even my mechanic wondered about the cleanliness under the convertible cover and how well the engine and all other mechanicals had been maintained.

I started with 32K miles, and now after about a year at about 42K; the car just stopped on a neighborhood street with the check engine light on. Mechanic says error codes indicate 3 cylinders on passenger side not functioning; likely needs new engine. Total expected damage is $10K for engine and $2K for labor. No indication of problem with intermediate shaft or RMS, exterior is free of oil. Could it be the vario-timing cam?

I love my new baby, but it is costing way too much.

jcb986 · 05-02-2009, 05:21 PM

I just bought my first Boxster, a 2000 S. Grey metallic with red leather, carbon package, 18" turbo wheels. A one owner with 67,000 miles. I read about the engine problems, but heck, I never would buy a first year production model or second year. Usually the third year they have everything under control. Any way, it's a one owner and well maintained. Love it.