Not too bad at all.

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

Glad to hear! Time for a drive!

Rx
 

Just like the Doctor ordered! :cheers:

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.

Two engine failures
 

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

goodbye boxster
 

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...

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.

Thanks for the input-$6K (plus labor?)I'm sorry no one gave me that option-I was led to believe that the later Post'2000 engines were not compatible w/my '97 for several reasons ECU,throttle ,etc.Either way it's gone @ this point :(

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.

A Raby engine is $15-20K. You can buy good, lowish miles 2002-2004 Boxsters all day for that money. Sell your car as a roller for about 3k or part it out for more and move on.

Another option is to get a used motor for about 3-5k, put in a new IMSB and keep your car, since you have recently put so much money into it. I guess that would be your cheapest option but with some risk since it will have a used motor.

2001 Boxster S bearing
 

I just made a request for getting on a schedule for an intermediate bearing replacement on my 2001 Boxster S. My S was purchased a little over three years ago with 1,434 miles on it. It came out of the dealer just shy of $62,000 then the owner spent another $6,000 adding new rims, special exhaust from Porsche and so forth. His enjoyment was accessorizing an already beautiful car. The car now has just over 21,000 miles on it and still looks and works beautifully. Every day the value of the car goes down, but my thought is that another $2,000 or whatever they estimate is worth the enjoyment this car brings. It makes me sick to think I would have to spend $85,000 to get another full leather red interior and all the other things that are on this car just to get a new 2013. For all I know, they still have intermediate shaft bearing problems and if that is the case, it is inexcusable. Wish me luck.http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1352950976.jpg

To buy or not to buy
 

Sorry about sending this as a reply, but I can't figure out how to post an original thread. I am a rookie user to this site.....

I found a 2000 Boxster S with 9700 miles. Car has been garaged in Arizona with original owner. This car is upgraded like crazy and I have not been able to find one even close. (Midnight blue metallic, beige interior, upgraded wheels, porsche emblem stamped in leather seats, guages colered to match interior, comes with aero kit, etc...) Middle aged Scottsdale couple that drove the car on weekends and then lost interest.
Car is immaculate inside and out. Owner drove the car about 8500 miles in the first 10 years, and then only about 1200 miles since 2010.
In 2010 he had to replace a siezed fuel pump, had oil change, brake system flush, new tires, etc... I assume due to the fact that it has been sitting.

I verified the service history with the dealership and he has been pretty good on getting recommended services (although not perfect). Service guy told me that there are no prior issues reported on the car, services refused, major repairs, etc....

I test drove the car and it drove great. Although I did not push it very hard. Maybe got it up to 50 mph on side streets. Shifts fine, no rattles, noises, etc...

Question is: Would you guys buy this car? I can buy it for about 20,000 (maybe a little lower).
At first, my gut reaction was that this was a rare find. However, I have been reading so much about cars with 'too low' mileage, and this has scared me a bit.
Any help would be appreciated.

I would get an independent PPI and then use what ever is found, if anything, to talk down the price. Plan on upgrading the IMS right away and then try to stop grinning after realizing you just bought a barely used Boxster:D I would buy it in a heartbeat:cheers:

If you want to replace just the oil filter, do you have to change oil or do you lose any at all by removing the filter. Yes, I'm a novice new owner of a 04 Boxter. 60,000 miles. Runs great.

You'll lose about 4-6 oz. of oil when you remove the filter housing. Yes, you can simply change the filter if you wish... I am assuming that the oil has low miles, but you'd like to get a look at the filter, just for peace of mind, yes? If so, go for it. Install a new filter including the gasket on the housing.

My IMS failed two weeks ago on a 70k 2003 Boxster S. No audible warning - was running like a Swiss watch then bang and the horrible sound of ball bearings bouncing around your engines internals. The car has a full and extensive service history and was 6k away from its next service.
I look forward to the rebuilt motor giving me some peace of mind.

IMS Failure - Caught in the nick of time
 

I'm a new owner of a 99 base 986, 39k miles with tiptronic. It was a garage queen that wasn't very well maintained (or driven enough). She developed a RMS leak after my first track day, so I decided to bite the bullet and do the LN IMS upgrade. After removing the seal from the old bearing and draining out the oil, it looks like I dodged a bullet.

Yep, stage 3 failure right there, folks! Had you not ripped the seal off and washed the debris and oil out that bearing would have "felt" fine.

You dodged a bullet for sure.. The only reason that the bearing is still together is because its a dual row... A single would have already completed stage 4 failure and you'd be done..

Scary...
 

You got lucky. Mine looked just like that when it got swapped out.
Now go and drive the %!$$ out of it.

I am new this forum I am looking into replacing with a Ruby 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.

my 05 boxster boat anchot
 

05, 50,000 miles, IMS failure 300 yards from home last May. I paid a local specialist $6000, to repair! He didn'teven.drag a magnet to try to get debris out.of crankcase. It currently being disassembled in my garage to see if it can be salvaged. My Porsche dealer told me there was no reason to beleive the bearing would fail!

For the cost of a Porsche engine or Raby rebuild, $15-20k, you can buy a very nice 2002-2005 used Box. Put in a new IMSB and you are set.

Hi stumbled across this forum whilst looking for a solution to a sticking steering wheel and found the answer I needed. Then starting reading the comments on IMS etc. I shouldn't be surprised that the IMS issue is the same the world over.

I have just bought a 3.2S Boxster from a company called Hartech in the UK after they rebuilt the engine after an IMS failure. The guys at Hartech are real experts (probably the best known in the UK) on these engines and if you look at their web site there is a wealth of information on possible causes for IMS failures / bore scoring etc along with some good advice. However although I am no expert it seems that the number of failures is relatively small but gains such prominence due to the high cost of repairs. How many high performance cars wouldn't suffer some form of problem after 10-15 years.

Great site, I will be a regular visitor. :cheers:

Early Box S 3.2 engines - good?
 

In my search for the right box...

I had started to think that 2000, early 2001 3.2 engine might be a sweet spot for performance plus lower failure risk. They have double row IMS bearing.(I'd do the LN upgrade). And Pelican article and I think another source, suggested low risk of cylinder failure - walls thicker than others I think.
Pelican Technical Article: Common Boxster Engine Problems and Failures - 986 / 987

But posts here indicate some fatal cylinder failures. Can any smart folks provide insight about risks for the early 3.2 - and particularly cylinder cracking or slipping? Does it make sense to prefer this one?

Thanks from newbe trying to understand this stuff!!

twist....
The early 3.2 S models seem to be one of the better bets, but because these cars are now between 12 and 14 years old, they can be subject to many problems depending on their past owners or service life.
If you like a little interesting reading go to Porsche servicing, repairs, engine rebuilds, reconditioned wishbones and cars for sale - near Bolton, North West England. and look under Buyers Guide. Barry Hart (Hartech guru owner) is the UK equivalent to Jake Raby's Flat6 outfit in expertese regarding the Porsche M96 engines.
Hope this helps in your decision.....

You can add mine who blew up his engine just now. It's a 1998 2.5 Boxster with 110'000 miles...

A '98 with 110k. "How" did it blow up?

Just like that:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/49172-there-you-go-catastrophic-engine-failure.html

Ouch! got it. Yeah.. I have seen that before. Sorry, that's a bag of downers.

2002 engine faults ????
 

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 .

Jet.....
Read as much as you can digest, especially the sticky "Thinking of buying a Boxster - MUST READ".
A lot of the problems are real, but you must treat each car as an individual item, depending on age, service records and how it has been treated throughout its life.

At 95,000 km, some of the "small" problems should have been addressed, such as brake discs, window regulators, ignition switch, coolant pump & tank and suspension rods / arms. A lot of these items seem to need replacing at about 80,000-100,000 km, so be prepared to spend about $2,000 per year in general maintenance costs.
The 2.7 engine is very robust, service as per the book (or sooner), treat it with respect and it will give you good service.

hey thanks a lot for the feed back , the car has been lovingly maintained (bought it from a friend - so I knew the car) I generally do my own maintenance but never worked on Porsches before . Just got Maintenenace manual CD so I will start doing some digging .
My stable also includes a 1993 Ducati SS , BMW 1150RT and recently a F800GS.

Can I suggest "101 Projects for your Porsche Boxster" by Wayne Dempsey. Its a great read and goes through a lot of projects that range from easy to difficult + routine maintenance too.
Use the search function for peoples responses and log onto Pelican Parts where you can buy it.

If you have any problems just post them in General Discussions or Performance & technical chat - theres some very knowledgable people here.

Nice bike stable - I've just sold my last two bikes, an MV Agusta and Honda SP1, mores the pity....

Hi Steve , thanks for taking the time to reply to me , I had a look in 101 Projects for your Porsche Boxster , looks very interesting and I will definitely go for it .

I am a simple landscaper who has loved cars his whole life. I had a 64 MGB , all worked over, for about 15 years with 286K on it. I finally bit the bullet, sold the B and bought a 98 Boxster about 10 years ago. I did all required maintenance on it and more, and all I got were overheating problems, check engine lights, top problems, suspension problems. I finally got tired , sold it and bought a 72 B. I've had it for 4 years now and have had zero problems. Granted it is not a Porsche but neither is it a nagging thought in the back of your mind. The only Porsche I would buy is a 356 and they are now no where near my fun budget, so MG's it is. Not as fast but as much fun or more. Ed

I wonder what percentage of Boxsters NEVER experience an IMS failure? Even if hundreds have experienced failure that might only be a very small percentage......just curious.

I attended a half day program on this subject by a very experienced Porsche aftermarket mechanic in CT last year. Double row bearings some engines (see class action suit to determine which you are) will likely give you a minute or so notice as the first half of the bearing falls apart and makes a racket with the second half keeping the alignment of the shaft in tact. Single row bearings will fail almost instantly, so when you hear it, it could already be too late to save it.

All of these sealed bearings will fail eventually!!! It's a matter of when. And the "when" is a mystery, but over 50,000+ miles makes it more likely. He also said that this is the only application of a sealed bearing inside an engine that he has EVER encountered on any engine anywhere. Thanks, Porsche engineers!!!

Looking for 'IMS' peace-of-mind
 

The '04 Boxster Spyder I just purchased came thru the PPI with flying colors, boosted by the fact that a new engine was installed by a Porsche dealership in June 2012. The reason for the new engine was a catastrophic IMS Bearing issue at 36,085 miles.
I recently read that all engine replacements after 2006 had the IMS issue addressed and therefore should be a non-issue going forward.
I've been able to acquire the service records of this work and it reads 'replaced with a remanufactured.'
But, in the back of my mind, this issue is still wearing on me a tad.
What do you guys think?
Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.