Shortlived Boxster engines survey

[Merida]

Hallo Iam here I need some help about my site,,
and How I get verification about Paypal,??

[Steve Tinker]

Simon, that sounds like a bargain - I paid over $4,000 back in 2010 to have the LN dual row bearing installed and clutch replaced.
I'm assuming your clutch was OK and left as is - what make / type of single row bearing was installed in your car?

[mts]

FYI - I just got payment from the IMS lawsuit with Porsche. Took forever, but at least I got some of my out-of pocket back from my IMS failure a few years back.

[Simon Wooldridge]

Sorry Steve, can't tell you any details. The humungeous size of my ignorance of these matters meant that I just went with Chris, the proprieter's recommendation. My Boxster is a tiptronic - a wise option for an old fart with dodgy hips, even though it promotes laziness and results in less precision.

I'll ask Chris about the replacement IMS and post his answer. The aftermarket audio amplifier spat the dummy and needed replacing this week; it never ends, does it?

[Tarek307]

Mine just failed- 2003 Boxster Base- IMS/RMS done in 2012, however i guess that wasn't good enough- Yesterday it suffered a CamShaft/Lifter Failure- engine is toast.

I'm a total Porschaphile & have owned 4 911's, my DD is a 997S, the boxster i bought to drive for a couple of months and resell...i'm 2nd owner- what a shame- but i must say these cars are Pieces of GARBAGE!

The piece of cam cover was ejected after the lifter failed and was shot through the cam cover"

[Sassmatt72]

dropped the valve keepers, shattered the piston, cracked the liner...and the spark plug stripped out trying to remove it.



anyone got a good 2.5 long block for sale?

[Bayley]

2000 Boxster S with 58,000 dealership maintained miles at factory recommended service intervals.

Adult owned and never raced.



Suddenly a great motor swap candidate. *Always look on the bright side.

[mcdandc]

Well, I've had my 2000 s model for about 18 months, 107000 miles and no problems. Took her in for a check engine light last month (gas cap leak). Shop found several leaks and worn boots, so I asked for recommendations; IMS, clutch, and hoses, also plugs and other things. The sticker shock really hurt, but jumped in for the security.
During the IMS replacement, a few chips of plastic were noticed in the oil. The only plastic inside the engine were the upper chain guides, so the valve covers were pulled. One of the guides came out in two pieces and there was significant wear on the other, Shop was very happy that they had caught the problem before any severe damage to the engine, me too.
Working to pay off the bill ( 6500), but a happy camper.

[motorcity986]

I have a 2000 986 S. 43,000 flawless miles.
Had IMS/clutch proactively installed 50 miles ago at the Porsche dealer. Found no signs of old bearing failing.
50 miles later, check engine light, poor performance. Tapping/knock from engine as well. Flat bed in to dealer.
Found one of the cylinders flooded w/ fuel. At first, they thought a mass flow sensor. Nope. Dropped engine, pulled head.
2 of the 3 valve guides are sliding (can push out of cylinder by hand). Valve seat came off.
Car has never overheated or been abused.

Anyone ever hear of this happening? Nobody can figure out why???? Was there a flaw in the machining process, so sloppy fit for the valve guides?? Would it be this way on the other side?
And if so, did they find the same problem on the other cylinder head?
I am deciding if i need to have the other cylinder head pulled, dismantled and inspected while the engine is out of the car. Anothe $2000.00, so an important question.

My dealer says they have heard of this, but never seen one. I checked with an idependent Porsche mechanic. Same answer. I checked with the largest Porsche dealer in the country. Same answer. Is my car that unique?

[andys320]

Hi

Just had engine go, cracked head 60000 3.2S, engine now rebuilt new head, AOS, RMS, IMS, clutch, water pump etc. Back again and recent 1600 mile round trip to lake Garda.

Was it economically viable, NO, am I glad I rebuilt and still have it, oh YES!

[Dr_P]

Hi All.
Am brand new to forum.
I recently took my 986-S model (2002) for its 30k service and my technician (retired Porsche Dealer mechanic from NY area) found some metal shavings (some, not a lot) along with one small bit of plastic and one small bit of metal in the oil (dropped lower sump pan).
I have/had read extensively on IMSB issues (here and elsewhere) and expected this at some point, but when I called the nearest dealer for a quotation, I was surprised to find they actually quoted a higher price for the LN Engineering retrofit than for a retrofit with authentic Porsche parts. Moreover, the warranty for LN is only 30-days (assuming it passes the pre-approval process), while Porsche offers 2-years and unlimited mileage. This just seemed odd to me, although a pleasant surprise. I see posts from Jack Raby, etc. everywhere, and numerous posts and links to Pelican Parts, Flat6innovations, etc., but almost nothing from anyone who has had a Porsche Authorized Dealer perform the work. Just curious if anyone has any thoughts/comments/information to share? Am I missing anything, or is this actually likely to be as good a deal as it sounds?
My local technician said everything else on my S-model looked beautiful (it's had regular oil changes every 3-4k miles since new, about once a year), and I wouldn't have known anything otherwise without his expertise (purrs like a kitten, runs like a beast), so I'm inclined to continue as planned, but just wanted to double-check my thinking, having seen nothing about Dealer servicing this item.
Thanks all,
- Dr. P

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Dr_P

Hi All.
Am brand new to forum.
I recently took my 986-S model (2002) for its 30k service and my technician (retired Porsche Dealer mechanic from NY area) found some metal shavings (some, not a lot) along with one small bit of plastic and one small bit of metal in the oil (dropped lower sump pan).
I have/had read extensively on IMSB issues (here and elsewhere) and expected this at some point, but when I called the nearest dealer for a quotation, I was surprised to find they actually quoted a higher price for the LN Engineering retrofit than for a retrofit with authentic Porsche parts. Moreover, the warranty for LN is only 30-days (assuming it passes the pre-approval process), while Porsche offers 2-years and unlimited mileage. This just seemed odd to me, although a pleasant surprise. I see posts from Jack Raby, etc. everywhere, and numerous posts and links to Pelican Parts, Flat6innovations, etc., but almost nothing from anyone who has had a Porsche Authorized Dealer perform the work. Just curious if anyone has any thoughts/comments/information to share? Am I missing anything, or is this actually likely to be as good a deal as it sounds?
My local technician said everything else on my S-model looked beautiful (it's had regular oil changes every 3-4k miles since new, about once a year), and I wouldn't have known anything otherwise without his expertise (purrs like a kitten, runs like a beast), so I'm inclined to continue as planned, but just wanted to double-check my thinking, having seen nothing about Dealer servicing this item.
Thanks all,
- Dr. P

Your instincts are correct because the only IMSB available from Porsche is the last design that requires complete disassembly of the engine to install, due to it's larger diameter. LN engineering offeres 3 different retrofits for your 2002 engine all of which are superior to the Porsche OE IMSB. You should read LNs website for accurate info & post in general discussions thread for more feedback.

[pieter1]

First one 996 C2 cylinder no.4 ate its self. PO never took care of it (oil changes) not the cars fault 142500 miles. [ATTACH][ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH] Engine was parted out and new factory rebuild put in.

Second one 98 Box with C2 3,4 motor (motor 67000 miles) Variocam chain pads failed. Ha no engine damage, replaced valve cover, two cams, and variocam solenoid with cam chain. She runs strong (scary car). Never had IMS or RMS issues my third Porsche with M96 motor.

[pieter1]

I hope I do not get kicked of the Forum for what I am about to say, but here goes. There is a lot of ********************ing in this post, this will be the last Porsche for me , how can they do this bla bla bla bla. The fricken cars are older that 10 years some with high miles some with dodgy service history and some were guys work on there own. Stop saying the brand or car is bad and unreliable. Look at my post below and I am not ********************ing about my failures. They are awesome cars and need maintenance go figure, nothing last forever. Its a bearing replace the thing its $750 DIY-$1800 for shop to do. Just have it done a new engine is $12000-$18000. Do you guys think a Honda S2000 BS I had two and one dropped a valve and the other one ran bearings on a track day (oil was on the full mark). Other failures are related to poor maintenance, bad driving habits, and about 5% bad design that Porsche did address. I drove a 996 last night with 298000 miles same engine, new IMS and RMS put in at 230000 miles, what about those cars. Yes its a Porsche built to a budget but go to your car and look at the quality and the engineering that is build into the car. You have a Porsche for Miata money that performs and handles like no ones busyness. Thank you spoke my mind. And drive the wheels of them that's what they are designed for.

[MiamiRice]

All I know is that Porsche produced an inferior product with the Boxster S through the years in question with that IMS and its failure rate. I had a 2004 Boxster S with only 28,500 miles on it in mint condition, properly maintained at a Porsche dealership , and I still suffered that failure and was told that although senior management reviewed my case their final determination was "too f***ing bad". Needless to say I don't see where they deserve the kind of loyalty that they command since it obviously does not exist on their end.

[arthrodriver]

I saw on the Mercedes site that so many there are used to high maintenance costs (e.g., $3k to replace iron brake rotors) many take a $5K repair in stride, and there is also the marque loyalty working. Hard core diy'ers are rare there. I sense many more Boxster owners aspire to diy. Perhaps due to the easier acquisition of the Boxster. And the Boxster has great attraction in looks, performance and (now ) used price. It is interesting to observe apparent lack of snobishness from the 911 set. Perhaps because of a common problem.

But the mystique of superior German product is certainly shaken by the Boxter, C63AMG , and others. Even the current emissions revelation shows that from most angles companies must simply pursue profitability. But the Porsche mystique of reliability won over decades really frustrates many who expect performance and long term reliability.

[Boxster..S]

01 Boxster S 41000mi., pss9, headers, Sparko race seats, IMS and seal update, engine failure do to cracked head/ water in oil. Sold as project car. Bought later model mazda MX5.

[sfkjeld]

Originally Posted by MiamiRice

All I know is that Porsche produced an inferior product with the Boxster S through the years in question with that IMS and its failure rate. I had a 2004 Boxster S with only 28,500 miles on it in mint condition, properly maintained at a Porsche dealership , and I still suffered that failure and was told that although senior management reviewed my case their final determination was "too f***ing bad". Needless to say I don't see where they deserve the kind of loyalty that they command since it obviously does not exist on their end.

Ten years ago, my 2000 S w/33k mi. blew up on the San Mateo Bridge, south of San Francisco. Immaculate car that I purchased from a retired banker in Phoenix. Perfectly maintained. I had it towed to Sonne Porsche in Marin for evaluation and what seemed my best hope to get some help from Porsche in its repair. Shop concluded an IMS failure. There was no repair or reconditioned motor option. Just a $15k new motor replacement. I had several calls with Porsche as they supposedly considered my case. After a week, Porsche 'was sorry to say' I was SOL. Plus a $500 tow and labor charge.

I was livid with Porsche. I had owned 3 911s, PCA member for 15 years. Nothing. Not a single part, not $ in labor, not even covering my tow or labor to determine the IMS failure. Total bastards. I sold the car as a roller for $9k after paying $21k 6 months earlier.

Spin ahead 10 years. I rode in a friends Boxster a few months ago. Forgot about that sound and feel. Next thing you now, I am perusing Craigslist. Next thing you know, I bought a very pretty 2000 base car in need of a clutch. Cheap. Brought it to a Porsche shop for a clutch, LN bearing and oil separator. Really love the little car. Motor sounds great and the rest is pretty tight for its age. Even have a hardtop. My family and friends think I am a full on idiot. Can't argue.

[Skullb]

These cars just get ya that way don’t they 😀

[Jolin0322]

Was at my mechanics shop on MOnday and watched a 2005 Boxster being towed away withe a IMS failure after only 28K miles etui sony xperia z5 compact etui sony z5 compact