Engine failure

[lifeisgood]

Originally Posted by buckstr

I appreciate the various post and advice. I haven't decided which way to go, but all of your thoughts are valuable. One thing to be sure everybody understands - the engine that seized up is a factory remanufactured engine installed in 2006. I don't know the history of that block, but it obviously came from and earlier model year.

Has Porsche improved the IMS in more recent models, or is this a lurking issue in all Boxter engines regardless of model year?

This dead engine not actually from 2006? Can you get the serial numbers from the engine. I just want to find out the exact year for the engine.

thanks,

[Perfectlap]

This is kind of crazy idea but have you looked into putting in an electric engine?
I only say this because I just read that Tesla Motors are under contract from Toyota to provide them with EV engines for the RAV4. Apparently Tesla use cheaper but still very effective laptop 'type' lithium-ion batteries and not custom made units like on the Chevy Volt.

I know there was a shop that was turning Porsches into electric cars back three years ago when oil spiked to $150. I wonder if the prices have come down since then.


Factory Electric Boxster

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO17SBE221o&feature=related

[buckstr]

Serial number from remanned engine is M96/23AT65465746. I'll be interested to know any info that this S/N tells you.

To Perfectlap - A different suggestion, to be sure. Personally, though, if I don't put fuel in it and it doesn't sound like a Porsche, I'm not going to spend money on it.

[ASpec818]

threads like these really push me to get rid of my S. I always fear something disastrous will occur whenever i hop into the driver's seat.

[Gforrest2]

Originally Posted by ASpec818

threads like these really push me to get rid of my S. I always fear something disastrous will occur whenever i hop into the driver's seat.

+1 It's really hard to enjoy owning and driving these cars when in the back of your mind you're always thinking, "will my car be next (IMS failure or some other disaster)".

[J's boxster]

Not to hijack a thread but as far as the electric motor is concerned, I have a friend whom converted a 914 to electric by a guy in green springs Florida. Cost was alittle high, but never will this car use any oil or fuel. Pretty cool car. And talk about fast!! It was 0-60 in 2.8 sec. No kidding!!! No lag at all!

[DenverSteve]

Originally Posted by ASpec818

threads like these really push me to get rid of my S. I always fear something disastrous will occur whenever i hop into the driver's seat.

That's like saying "I saw a bicycle accident today so I am going to quit riding mine to work" which I do too. I would recommend that if you are scared of your car to sell it. There's nothing worse than living in fear. Only a very few Boxster's have a problem, and most have not been maintained or driven properly. In every forum, regarding every car, suv and vehicle there is rampant paranoia about something including catastrophic failures. Relax and drive......or not. It won't make any difference with what will happen.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

That's like saying "I saw a bicycle accident today so I am going to quit riding mine to work" which I do too. I would recommend that if you are scared of your car to sell it. There's nothing worse than living in fear. Only a very few Boxster's have a problem, and most have not been maintained or driven properly. In every forum, regarding every car, suv and vehicle there is rampant paranoia about something including catastrophic failures. Relax and drive......or not. It won't make any difference with what will happen.

No, it's like saying "I keep seeing bike accidents, like at least every couple of weeks. And the weird thing? There are never any other vehicles involved, the bike just sort of implodes on it's own, without warning. AND, they all involve the bicycle model that I'm riding, which are really kind of expensive bikes---ones that you'd expect, through superior engineering, NOT to have this kind of problem---that suddenly, in the blink of an eye, become nearly worthless."

BUT (having said that)...I do agree with the spirit of your post.

[Overdrive]

Do remember though, Frodo, that this car is the result of Porsche learning from Toyota how to cut costs.

The results, to name a few: Lokasil cylinder liners that can lead to oil/coolant intermix, remanufactured blocks going into vehicles coming fresh off the line, poorly reinforced frames/suspension mounts for the first model year, poorly designed IMS seal leading to failures, problematic RMS, D-Chunk, barely capable cooling system, crap shoot AOS, 3 to 5 chains all with the potential to fail, plastic impeller water pump, barely capable (in my opinion) oil cooler, and drain holes that seem to get plugged more than drain moisture.

I could go on, but my point is that this was the entry level vehicle to get people into the Porsche family. Popular though it did become, Porsche basically expected people to get this, own it for a while, and then want to upgrade to the flagship 911. And even the 911s from that era had some of these problems, too, especially the IMS failure.

For me, while I know all of these potential problems exist, I can't sit and be worried every second I operate the car. If it fails, I'll only be upset if it happened while I was sitting idle at a light rather than when I was actually enjoying making the car do what it does so well. I'm getting my money's worth, and if something major or catastrophic happens then it gives me an excuse to simply save up and make the car into something very awesome and much more bulletproof.

[kpm]

Originally Posted by ASpec818

threads like these really push me to get rid of my S. I always fear something disastrous will occur whenever i hop into the driver's seat.

" It is better to have loved and lost, than to never loved at all"

I used to fear the reaper, now I know that I've done the maintainence and keep an eye out for signs of trouble, but I drive it every chance I get.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by kpm

" It is better to have loved and lost, than to never loved at all"

I used to fear the reaper, now I know that I've done the maintainence and keep an eye out for signs of trouble, but I drive it every chance I get.

Well, there ya' go...my philosophy exactly. Each and every time I hit 4500 RPM I totally forget about IMS issues!!!

[jacabean]

i don't think this guy drove his car enough . the motor was replaced almost 6 years ago . it does suck that this **************** happens but you need to drive these cars thats what they were meant for. i have seen quite a few boxsters and early 996s with 150k on them for sale recently. with my luck mine will be the one that goes kaboom ! at least i know i drive it every chance i get. I have a 2010 Evo Gsr it just sits in my garage 4700 miles on it, my boxster is just such a better car . i told my wife i want to get rid of the evo and pick up a 3.4 996 with an aero kit. so if one goes boom i got the other. obviously , she thinks i'm nuts .