Shortlived Boxster engines survey

[chily3]

OK take this with a grain of salt. But if you do not lug the engine, IE keep it above 2,000 you have a better chance of not having failures.

And change oil each year no matter how many low miles you have. Do not skimp on oil either.

[98601]

Hi - I'm new to the forum as I just acquired a 2001 S which is just perfect in every respect, or so I though until reading this thread. I had the car at Porsche for a complete checkup and they gave it a clean bill of health but now I'm not so sure if they can be trusted, considering the factory's behavior about this.

Since reading this thread, I've been checking around locally and hearing lots of nightmare tales. So, I've decided to do the LN bearing conversion immediately just so I can sleep at night.

Any comments? Am I being paranoid? After reading this and doing some independent research on my own, I think not. This car appears and drive as new but I really don't feel like parting it out if the engine blows.

[Pastor T]

Hey folks, Pastor T here. I recently purchased a 2000 2.7 with 86K on the car and 40K on the engine. Internal engine failure at 40K in 2003. Most tell me the IMS failure potential is still with me. I suspect it is. What do you all think of the IMS Guardian. Or should I just go ahead and do the LN IMS upgrade? Thanks for you counsel.

[tony_fury]

Originally Posted by Pastor T

Hey folks, Pastor T here. I recently purchased a 2000 2.7 with 86K on the car and 40K on the engine. Internal engine failure at 40K in 2003. Most tell me the IMS failure potential is still with me. I suspect it is. What do you all think of the IMS Guardian. Or should I just go ahead and do the LN IMS upgrade? Thanks for you counsel.

I too considered the Guardian, then did the logic in my head that my car has 87K on it. While I have a complete folder of all the service done on the car, At 87K I think it's time to just get it done for me personally. Reading all the stories of this happening without notice, it would be peace of mind to just get it done.
With that said, I have an appointment to drop the car off in Pasadena.
Reasonable price, and have the clutch replaced at the same time.
LN Engineering IMS upgrade time..
Reading the information on the ceramic bearing replacement makes logical sense to me..
T

[teleski]

Tony_Fury,

I am a new owner of a 2000 Boxster in West Los Angeles. Just curious if you can send me a list of your favorite mechanics around LA and/or those to avoid. You can PM me to be more candid.

Thanks, Richard

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by Pastor T

Hey folks, Pastor T here. I recently purchased a 2000 2.7 with 86K on the car and 40K on the engine. Internal engine failure at 40K in 2003. Most tell me the IMS failure potential is still with me. I suspect it is. What do you all think of the IMS Guardian. Or should I just go ahead and do the LN IMS upgrade? Thanks for you counsel.

The IMS Guardian also detects other imminent engine failures, not just the IMS. I have not decided what to do for my 2001 yet. I have 66K miles so a clutch is probably in my future. I am thinking of budgeting for a clutch and IMS next year. The guardian is not a bad thing to have though and now there is the junior at half the price but with out the integrated dash light to look factory. At the very least do regular oil changes and replace your oil drain plug with a magnetic one. An oil analysis after the oil change may not be a bad idea either.

[tony_fury]

Originally Posted by BruceH

The IMS Guardian also detects other imminent engine failures, not just the IMS. I have not decided what to do for my 2001 yet. I have 66K miles so a clutch is probably in my future. I am thinking of budgeting for a clutch and IMS next year. The guardian is not a bad thing to have though and now there is the junior at half the price but with out the integrated dash light to look factory. At the very least do regular oil changes and replace your oil drain plug with a magnetic one. An oil analysis after the oil change may not be a bad idea either.

I was going to replace the Oil filter to see what it looks like, but just made the appointment to have it done instead.

If your oil change is not due, it can't hurt to just replace the filter, tear it apart and visually inspect it for metallic particles..

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by tony_fury

I was going to replace the Oil filter to see what it looks like, but just made the appointment to have it done instead.

If your oil change is not due, it can't hurt to just replace the filter, tear it apart and visually inspect it for metallic particles..

What's the estimate for clutch and IMS?

[tony_fury]

Originally Posted by BruceH

What's the estimate for clutch and IMS?

Quoted $1,700 for the LN IMS, clutch is just parts since transmission is out of the car anyway.
They were the recommended shop from LN Engineering.
I'm sure other things will be found that needs replacement once transmission is removed and access is gained..
T

[BruceH]

Not too bad at all.

[tony_fury]

Update:
LN Engineering IMS bearing update installed, dual row bearing.
Clutch was down to the rivets. New clutch feels like a dream.
Coolant reservoir and oil filler neck hose replaced.
Car run's excellent..

Very impressed with Scientific Automotive..
Quality shop and very communicative prior to work.
It was refreshing dealing with Jack..

Tony

[BruceH]

Glad to hear! Time for a drive!

[greenandtan]

Just like the Doctor ordered!

[lyle.woodard@aes.com]

2000 Boxster S, oil/water intermix of serious quantity at 48 K. Third owner so no help from Porsche, but dealer did manage to fleece me for a considerable sum without finding anything. Service manager swore that that mess in the drained oil, looking like a chocolate milk shake couldn't be intermix because "intermix would separate if left to sit for a day". Obviously knew next to nothing about the subject! Guess some good came out of that, I know now not to ever go to the dealer. Long story short(er), tear down showed a cracked head.

Had the engine remanufactured at Flat 6 Enterprises, with 3.6 l displacement, and all other Porsche design flaws engineered out. With IPD intake and Fabspeed exhaust, and my old 3.2 softronics flash it goes solidly quick! Cost was more than the car is worth for resale, but actually I am so happy with the work I really don't care.

[Bruce In Philly]

Hi,

I just joined this forum, and this is my first post on this board, I usually post on another. Just thought I would spread the love.

I just had my second engine fail due to IMS failures in my 2000 Boxster S with 197K miles. I purchased the car new in 2000.

The first engine went at 47K miles (replaced under warranty), and the second with 150K miles on it at 197K. I think the car is morte, kaput, fssst! On top of all this, I just had a service three weeks ago that cost me $5,500 with new rear tires, control arms, oxygen sensor, coolant tank, some other stuff.... Can't make this stuff up.

I am looking into replacing with a Raby engine, or just buy a new or used car. Hard to put that kind of money into such an old chassis. I am really torn as the car is in fantastic shape. This all just happened last week.

To see what my car looked like at 175K miles, click here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/101334518573666809964/MyCarZainoMaguiarsCompound#5540699417049830594

[Bobiam]

Originally Posted by Bruce In Philly

Hi,

I just joined this forum, and this is my first post on this board, I usually post on another. Just thought I would spread the love.

I just had my second engine fail due to IMS failures in my 2000 Boxster S with 197K miles. I purchased the car new in 2000.

The first engine went at 47K miles (replaced under warranty), and the second with 150K miles on it at 197K. I think the car is morte, kaput, fssst! On top of all this, I just had a service three weeks ago that cost me $5,500 with new rear tires, control arms, oxygen sensor, coolant tank, some other stuff.... Can't make this stuff up.

I am looking into replacing with a Raby engine, or just buy a new or used car. Hard to put that kind of money into such an old chassis. I am really torn as the car is in fantastic shape. This all just happened last week.

To see what my car looked like at 175K miles, click here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/101334518573666809964/MyCarZainoMaguiarsCompound#5540699417049830594

That car is incredible looking. You do have a serious dilemma. That Raby engine would be great but the chassis really is too old for that investment. I think you should set aside and wait for an opportunity to install a good used engine, then sell it. Or sell it as is to someone willing to pay a decent price for it's good looks. A car this old has lots of things waiting to go wrong.

[jetspanner]

Hi all , Im new into Porsche and new into the forum so pls forgive me if I repeat issues , I went briefly through the forum and I picked up some frightening words like : engine catastrophic destruction , boom etc. I just got a 2002 Boxster with 95000km (60000 miles) on the clock , runs beautifully BUT should I expect mega probs ? Is the 2.7 prone to same issues as the 2.5 ? are there any preventative measures I can take ?? thanks a lot .

[mr.drama]

Sudden failure @ 122K(stretched timing chain?)on a much loved '97 that I owned since 2000.I know many of you will think''122K?-what's he ********************ing about? My biggest mistake was a decision to keep it as a ''third car''three years,and 10K (Mileage and dollars)ago.Was not sorry to see it go away when the options were 19K for a crate engine or 6-7K at my indy for used 2.5's with 70-80K and who knows what histories.And you still have the early 986 ''time bomb'' thing going on.The dealer ''gave me a break" and only charged me $765- to tell me my engine was shot.

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by mr.drama

Sudden failure @ 122K(stretched timing chain?)on a much loved '97 that I owned since 2000.I know many of you will think''122K?-what's he ********************ing about? My biggest mistake was a decision to keep it as a ''third car''three years,and 10K (Mileage and dollars)ago.Was not sorry to see it go away when the options were 19K for a crate engine or 6-7K at my indy for used 2.5's with 70-80K and who knows what histories.And you still have the early 986 ''time bomb'' thing going on.The dealer ''gave me a break" and only charged me $765- to tell me my engine was shot.

Drama,

You likely could have put a used 3.2 in for around $6K. I think that the low displacement engines actually cost more because of increased demand from the spec racing series.

Throwing an IMSB retrofit in an engine that's out of the car is about a 2 hr Job at most...

[shadrach74]

2002 986 S 52K on the clock. IMSB retrofit installed last week. I was told the old bearing looked fine, but I will reserve judgment until I see it.