What year is your boxster and how many miles on it

[BirdDog]

My 2001 Boxster S - 73K miles. Nearly suffered catastrophic engine failure from a stretched/worn
main timing chain,but was saved by the magicians at Flat-6 Innovations/Raby Engine Development.

They basically replaced almost all wear-prone parts and installed their IMS Solution. I'm currently
running it through a 2,000 mile break-in.

[navair]

2002 S, owned since almost new, 72K, lots of improvements (ROW M30, lo temp thermostat, underdrive pulley, all new brakes and stainless lines, 997 shifter etc). I do most of the work myself. Autocrossed hard on a regular basis

[Luckyed]

Originally Posted by BirdDog

My 2001 Boxster S - 73K miles. Nearly suffered catastrophic engine failure from a stretched/worn
main timing chain,but was saved by the magicians at Flat-6 Innovations/Raby Engine Development.

If you don't mind me asking.....what symptoms did you encounter prior to the timing chain issue being identified?

[BirdDog]

My camshaft deviations were in the 8-9 degree range. I heard chain noise but thought it was probably
that the variocam tensioner paddles were shot. It also had a slight rear main seal oil leak. I sent the car
to Raby Engine Development / Flat-6 to get the variocam chains and tensioners replaced and have
an IMS Solution installed.

During their pre-qualification inspection for the IMS Solution they found very fine black particles in the
lower sump cover and some metal in the oil filter. I had changed my oil and filter less than 100 miles
before this, so this was a HUGE red flag. The black particles turned out to be the main chain tensioners/guides
being chewed up by the main timing chain (the one that runs between the crank and IMS). They tore my engine
down, layer by layer, until they found it. They had never seen this type of failure before. Ever. But they kept
digging until they found it. That attention to detail is why I sent it there. Seriously, I can't say enough good
things about that shop!

Originally Posted by Luckyed

If you don't mind me asking.....what symptoms did you encounter prior to the timing chain issue being identified?