The most likely failure in my 2001 Box base...

[thom4782]

I believe three questions are in order when asking for advice on replacing a part. They are:

1. What is the probability of failure
2. What is the total cost of repair relative to the cost of preventative maintenance
3. Can I afford the repair

One can then assign a value to each: 1 point for low or yes answer and 5 points for high and no answer. Then do a little math to gauge the relative risks. If in the green zone (probability is low, the relative cost is low, I can afford it), then wait until the part breaks. On the other hand, if you're in the red zone (probability is high, relative cost is high, I can't afford it), then replace it before the part breaks.

Looking at the part in this way, it much easier to decide what to do. The nice thing about approaching the answer this way is that everyone can assign their own point values to the answers and judge for himself whether to replace or not.

For example, if the probability of breaking a water pump vane is low, the cost of replacing a cracked head is high, and one can't afford ro doesn't want to do a repair costing more than $3500, then he's headed toward the red zone. Replace the water pump before it breaks.

[recycledsixtie]

I was the original poster of this thread so I take full responsibility. Yep throw rotten eggs at me. If a would be buyer saw this thread he would run a mile. If I was going to start a business on the strength of this thread alone I would call it "Boxster problems? call 1 800 986 Shrink....

I have never known a car like this in my life where me personally I can choose to throw a ton of money by at it replacing stuff or just let it go till something breaks. Either way it is catch 22 with my wife. The niggling stuff irritates my wife because she says her Camry costs nothing to run after 12 years of ownership and I am always tinkering with the Box. My response is that your Camry is so boring to drive.....

Yes this forum can make Boxster owners a more cohesive group by sharing knowledge and everybody does that well. Now if only we could get Jake to come out of his hiding place. But I know that 986 owners will beat a path to him because he has good products. He does not even have to scare anybody to do it.
Guy

[rfuerst911sc]

I don't get all the drama in this post ? Why the anger ? This forum and others like it are to share experience/data. Part of those experiences unfortunately concern mechanical failures. I just look at the forums as data storage. I will study the data and make decisions based on what I learned, my wallet at the time and specific data on my car. Nothing more nothing less. I guess too many people have cabin fever On a brighter note the Core Porsche 911GT3R is leading GTLM at the 24 with 2 hours to go !

[Jake Raby]

Yes this forum can make Boxster owners a more cohesive group by sharing knowledge and everybody does that well. Now if only we could get Jake to come out of his hiding place. But I know that 986 owners will beat a path to him because he has good products. He does not even have to scare anybody to do it.

As we speak I am building a better hiding place... Even further away from the rest of the world than my current one. No cell signal and no internet, just focus between man and machine.

Machines don't have opinions and can't make smart ass remarks. I get along real well with them, and if they piss me off, well I just blow them up on purpose. With a smile.

[Mark_T]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

if they piss me off, well I just blow them up on purpose. With a smile.

'Kay, well now I'm seriously rethinking my willingness to send my car to this guy in case it pisses him off and the little switch goes click!

All kidding aside, that post is a little creepy. Sorry, but it just is.

[recycledsixtie]

See Mark. I set the right bait outside the prof. engineer's hole. He came out of hiding and took it. I would have no hesitation sending my Box to Jake's if it came to it. I think we have to cut these engineers some slack. Kind of reminds me of the movie " a beautiful mind". I forget the name of the actor. The Boxster reminds me of that movie too.

It's okay Jake. We are a tough crowd. Group hug again!

I used to go to our local Miata Club on a monthly basis when I owned a Miata. Boring-nothing to talk about.

Now I attend Boxster meetings online on this forum very frequently and there is lots to talk about. No PCA chapter for this kid. Maybe coz I have more $$$$ invested and the risk is higher.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

As we speak I am building a better hiding place... Even further away from the rest of the world than my current one. No cell signal and no internet, just focus between man and machine.

Machines don't have opinions and can't make smart ass remarks. I get along real well with them, and if they piss me off, well I just blow them up on purpose. With a smile.

Sorry bud, but based on your immature "police ourselves" attitude, and your Holier than Thou attitude with regards to pulling all your info off the site, (over someone on the internet not changing a water pump), there is no way in hell I would seek out your services. And the above post does not help.

I spend a decent amount of time on a similar site for boilers and hydronic heating, which has a GD section, and really do enjoy helping others through boiler or radiant issues. I couldn't imagine one stupid poster making me soo offended that I yank my info and refuse to help others. If you are as gifted in your field as I am in mine, you should take pleasure knowing it pays you well, and be able to share basic info with others who cannot afford a tech or simply want to learn how to help themselves...and easily roll with the few who like to disagree or refuse good, honest advise.

Why pollute your image on a board dedicated to the very thing you make a living on??? You should take a class or something. There are many other competent....no...GREAT Boxster guys out there, and you're sending customers their way. Either be gone (some of that self-policing) or man up, shake it off, and welcome back. Don't just post cryptic, stupid comments.

I say this because as a small business owner, this crap burns me up. Simply bad business.

[Jake Raby]

See you guys later.

Didn't mean to ruffle feathers, and of course its hard to convey things in a post like in a conversation/ in person.

I might post some in the future, but I'll be very reserved. I hope each of you look forward to Monday mornings as much as I do :-)

[evomind]

Not sure why some people take stuff so seriously, like water pumps.
Ive often pointed out all parts will fail over time, shall I change out my rods, or just pray they don't break?
Most of the time the water pump will give some indication of failure, even if the vanes break I have to believe the engine will run a bit hotter for a short while before youre engine actually grenades.
Im sure Mr Raby has forgotten more abt these engines than Ill ever know, but Im not one to just randomly change out thousands of dollars in parts and labor "just in case." I have a 99 Boxster with 38k miles. Im not changing the IMS and wont change the water pump till abt 100k miles if I still have the car.
As far as Im concerned its a 12k dollar car. If something breaks Ill fix it. If the engine grenades Ill junk it.
Not worth throwing 15k dollars at a 12k dollar car.
I think some of the tuners here try too hard to sell their service/parts.

[Jamesp]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

See you guys later.

Didn't mean to ruffle feathers, and of course its hard to convey things in a post like in a conversation/ in person.

I might post some in the future, but I'll be very reserved. I hope each of you look forward to Monday mornings as much as I do :-)

Jake,

I'm personally looking forward to hearing from you again. You have good technical insight, but even so everyone won't agree with everything you post. If they are right, good for them, if they are not, and say, fry a head, or blow their IMSB with some hair brained idea (just sayin'), roll out the red carpet and help them out. Everybody win$. Monday morning I'll be putting together a team of experts to extend the life of a spacecraft. That may not be for everybody, but for me? Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

[evomind]

If I were to partake in putting a big motor in a Cayman or Boxster, which I might, JR would be the guy I call. I just don't believe in overhauling a perfectly good engine and calling it maintenance. Not a big deal, nothing against JR.
If my engine grenades then maybe its a good excuse to go big.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

See you guys later.

Didn't mean to ruffle feathers, and of course its hard to convey things in a post like in a conversation/ in person.

I might post some in the future, but I'll be very reserved. I hope each of you look forward to Monday mornings as much as I do :-)

I only hope we can police ourselves to your standards someday, and maybe, reach 100%. Please feel free to stop back by and tell us what we are doing wrong and shame some members for not changing whatever...in a very reserved way.

[TeamOxford]

Originally Posted by Timco

I only hope we can police ourselves to your standards someday, and maybe, reach 100%. Please feel free to stop back by and tell us what we are doing wrong and shame some members for not changing whatever...in a very reserved way.

Ya know, sometimes a man has just got to be a man............and shut up. 'Specially when another man's been tryin' to make things right again.

The Dude abides.

Just sayin'.........

TO

[rp17]

Not worth throwing 15k dollars at a 12k dollar car.[/QUOTE]

I agree with that statement. This forum has tons of info. Everyone has the right to do what they want with that info. Its there car. Listen to expert recommendations, and the other forums members experience, and MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION based on your circumstances. Throwing thousand of dollars on your car and doing tons of the while you in there, next thing you know 911tt are now in your price range.

But more seriously something comes up in life with your HEALTH, where you could of spend that money on a wiser condition, than a car that hasn't broke. When I bought my car, dealership told me I needed to change my brakes. Told them I'll pass. Took my time and bought all the replacement parts that still sit in my garage because the pads still have plenty life in them. Maybe they though I was going to put 15k on it in one year. Who knows. Glad they told me and glad I made my own decision also.

Changed my water pump out by the way. It was making a noise.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by TeamOxford

Ya know, sometimes a man has just got to be a man............and shut up. 'Specially when another man's been tryin' to make things right again.

The Dude abides.

Just sayin'.........

TO

He is a grown man, and made some pretty lame comments. Having said that, I'm sure he is a level above the rest in what he does. That's a good thing to have around. I must have missed all that in his two "I'm keeping tabs" posts. It's the business owner in me that can't stand that crap.

He can post or not. Why would my opinion bother him or anyone? It's the drama that bent my shifter. Did we figure out who to police, and how or why? Does he need a spokesperson or does he agree with your statement?

Timco........OUT! (Lol)

[woodsman]

Wow missed a few days and I missed a whole catastrophe! Jake - I'm one of your biggest fans and wasn't 'being sarcastic', way back. What followed was interesting. These forums allow people to vent whereas in daily life, most just silently walk away, pissed off and building! "when words fail, violence begins" (sorry can't recall who said it...) so let it out boys, let it out! :dance:
PS We only lose if someone leaves the table.

[Mark_T]

Sorry woodsman - my bad.