Shortlived Boxster engines survey

[JCL12]

The 2 big sources of engine failure I have heard of:

1) Sleeve Slip Failure - Only on early models which have some engine defects "repaired" (instead of reworked to print). I think 1997 (USA) is the only year you need to avoid for this

2) IMS (intermediate shaft) failure - ALL models up to and including todays


Sadly, this crap is a worry we all must deal with and just hope it never happens. Following subsequent revisions to the design of the engines (minor tweaks/revs) it is clear porsche knows of the defect and its possible affects, yet they make no real acknowledgement and provide on official relief. (Think about what mazda did for almost all the RX8s).

Makes me strongly consider never buying a Pcar again, but the RMR and the label is such a draw

FWIW, I would never buy a 1999 with 20k miles. That is too low - I would almost be more comfortable if it had 40K worry free miles. The 20k milage on a '99 isn't worth the premium at all

[saaber]

check out this article

describes the failures and this company even remanufactures to eliminate the problem. Too bad they are in England. A good read.

http://www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/Total911_July06.pdf

and this one:

http://www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/911PW_Apr06.pdf

[Brucelee]

You know, this whole thing just floors me.

This is a Boxer engine, not very exotic nor complicated. They have been making the same fundamental design for what, 60 yrs?

How tough can it be to make it robust and somewhat easier to repair.

The Subaru guys seem to have figured it out.

[easyc]

Well actually bruce... the boxster M96 is a new engine for porsche..... watercooled!

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by easyc

Well actually bruce... the boxster M96 is a new engine for porsche..... watercooled!

Yes, I know. But if you look at the basics of the engine, hey, this is not rocket science.

If you have to make the block heavier to accomodate a tougher alloy, DO IT.

If you have to beef up the shafts and/or pistons, rods etc. DO IT.

We should not have to put up with this bad boy grenading whenever!

[maestro]

I think it's fairly simple to explain. They put their crap in the cheap cars to save money, knowing they'll sell based on their name.

[Cloudsurfer]

Originally Posted by maestro

I think it's fairly simple to explain. They put their crap in the cheap cars to save money, knowing they'll sell based on their name.

Unfortunately so true.

On the other hand, it is semi surprising that no one in the states is rebuilding these motors yet. There are plenty of shops with the equipment necessary to do what Autofarm is doing.

The one question I do ask about the "Silsleeve" conversion, is cooling. By running a much thicker sleeve, they are effectively reducing cylinder cooling. I do love their solution for the IMS problem, however.

Patrick

[Michiganstar]

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.

[Ninety9 986]

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.

[kozboxsters]

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.

[bmarti13]

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.

[marsheng]

Originally Posted by saaber

http://www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/Total911_July06.pdf
and this one:
http://www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/911PW_Apr06.pdf

Pages missing !! 404

[will2002]

Originally Posted by JCL12

The 2 big sources of engine failure I have heard of:

1) Sleeve Slip Failure - Only on early models which have some engine defects "repaired" (instead of reworked to print). I think 1997 (USA) is the only year you need to avoid for this

2) IMS (intermediate shaft) failure - ALL models up to and including todays


Sadly, this crap is a worry we all must deal with and just hope it never happens. Following subsequent revisions to the design of the engines (minor tweaks/revs) it is clear porsche knows of the defect and its possible affects, yet they make no real acknowledgement and provide on official relief. (Think about what mazda did for almost all the RX8s).

Makes me strongly consider never buying a Pcar again, but the RMR and the label is such a draw

FWIW, I would never buy a 1999 with 20k miles. That is too low - I would almost be more comfortable if it had 40K worry free miles. The 20k milage on a '99 isn't worth the premium at all

-----------
Hello, in response to your comments above: I recently purchased a 2002 Boxster from a Rover dealer in NJ. looks & ran great, 38k, two owner car. car was traded in & received major service for oil seal leak, new clutch, etc from sister Porsche dealer. have copy of $4200 service invoice. important point in decision to buy this car.

6 weeks later, catastrophic engine failure. IMS failure! I have driven many cars totaling almost 2 million miles & have never experienced an engine failure.

fortunately, the dealer included a used car warranty at the time of purchase, so the repair/engine replacement was covered. (fyi - re-manufactured engine was supplied by Vertex in Miami, FL. includes one year warranty from time of purchase, 11 months to me by the time I got the car back).

one week after I got the car back, I needed to return to have the headlight switch repaired/replaced, also covered. so far I have spent $350 on repairs for one remote replacement (key).

both a major failure and incredible luck that it happened under warranty, from a terrific dealer; Princeton Rover. they treated me VERY well. cannot imagine facing the cost of an engine replacement.

I will keep the car for now, but it will probably be both my first & last Porsche.


good to luck to all readers. will2002

[jetspanner]

good evening all , just thought to share with you my experience and provide some feedback , Boxster 2002 2.7 single row , 60k miles (95k km) I'm the third owner but the first doesn't count much as he only had the car for 3k km . Oil leak evident , no debris in filter . RMS dry , IMS leaking , I replaced it with an LN part , the removed bearing was in good shape - apart from the fact that it was leaking - beginning of the countdown I guess , The previous owner is a friend ,he had always maintained the car and regularly changed the oil , probably the reason the bearing was in good shape ??? I also changed the clutch and the coolant tank . Very very happy and glad I did the job . Thanks Steve for advice :dance: