Shortlived Boxster engines survey

[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.

[mr.drama]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

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...

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