Shortlived Boxster engines survey

[sturgedm]

I did report this to this forum way back in 2005 when it happened. But here we go again .... my 1999 boxster from the non-german assembly plant (finland i think) blew up. I took into Scotsdale Porsche in AZ they said the engine had a "hole in it" i assume thet ment the engine pushed the cylinder sleeve though the block or head or something like that.

I let the car sit for 2 years and then let Brandywine Porsche in Newtown Pa. install a factor fresh Porsche re-built engine. They offered to install a rebuilt 3.4 instead of standard 2.5. At the time Eric Delahaye managed Brandywine Porsche service - this guy is a genius and a true proffesional.

Ok, this part breaks my heart, but here goes .... To purchase and install the 3.4 was $20,000.00 to purchase and install the 2.5 was $9,000.00. Porsche N.A. offered no, i repeat NO, help.

I could not afford to do the 3.4 so I just did the 2.5 standard engine. Final bill was more like $12,000.00 due to other work i had done when engine was out.

Now with that said the factory rebuilt engine pulls better than the original and i am very happy with the project (allthough i wish i did the 3.4).

Again Porsche N.A. did not offer any help, as a life long Porsche owner (this is my 3rd Porsche) i doubt i'll buy another due to this experence. But i will always keep this 986 at this point i am committed finacially to it - and want to leave it to my daughter.

I am spec'ing out a Viper for my next car .....

[Bobiam]

Originally Posted by sturgedm

I did report this to this forum way back in 2005 when it happened. But here we go again .... my 1999 boxster from the non-german assembly plant (finland i think) blew up. I took into Scotsdale Porsche in AZ they said the engine had a "hole in it" i assume thet ment the engine pushed the cylinder sleeve though the block or head or something like that.

I let the car sit for 2 years and then let Brandywine Porsche in Newtown Pa. install a factor fresh Porsche re-built engine. They offered to install a rebuilt 3.4 instead of standard 2.5. At the time Eric Delahaye managed Brandywine Porsche service - this guy is a genius and a true proffesional.

Ok, this part breaks my heart, but here goes .... To purchase and install the 3.4 was $20,000.00 to purchase and install the 2.5 was $9,000.00. Porsche N.A. offered no, i repeat NO, help.

I could not afford to do the 3.4 so I just did the 2.5 standard engine. Final bill was more like $12,000.00 due to other work i had done when engine was out.

Now with that said the factory rebuilt engine pulls better than the original and i am very happy with the project (allthough i wish i did the 3.4).

Again Porsche N.A. did not offer any help, as a life long Porsche owner (this is my 3rd Porsche) i doubt i'll buy another due to this experence. But i will always keep this 986 at this point i am committed finacially to it - and want to leave it to my daughter.

I am spec'ing out a Viper for my next car .....

So those prices are several years old and it would be worse now!

Re Viper, didn't I just read that they were being discontinued???

[ALarracuente]

I agree with Sturgedm. Is a pity that Porsche did nothing to help in your case or mine. I got the 'you r just a poor boy that got a Porsche and don't have the money to let us maintain it for you so, go away' treatment when I went to the local dealer for info and advice. Needless to say, I will NEVER buy a brand-new Porsche nor take my car to them for service.

My Boxster is a Stuggart built so I do not think is related to where they were assembled. According to Charles Navarro, and other experts, sub-standard manufacturing and engineering decisions are a major factor on 996 engine failures. I'll bet the 'nickies' I installed on my engine will way outlast any OEM cylinder sleeves out there. the JE pistons look way better quality than OEM too.

Guys, my message is that, a full rebuild can be done for fewer than 7K if you do the work yourself and keep everything OEM, maybe a little more depending if you take the opportunity to upgrade a thing or two. The main hurdle you will have is to build or acquire the Porsche special tools #9612 and others (see list at http://www.baumtools.com/pdf/porsche_timing_tools.pdf). Aside from the 9612 and the cam tensioner tools, my brother built all of the tools for me fairly easily. The one you cannot go without is the piston pin and clip installing tools (9608 & 02). The cam alignment I did it by 'feel'. So far, I put over 8K miles on it with no issues.

I love Porsche cars, always will, but don't like Porsche 'the company' very much right now...

Regards,
Fred