My first REAL SCARE with the Boxster! need some advice..

[JFP in PA]

Now, does anyone care to hazard a guess as to what area of the engine he will find codes for?

[CrisZenithBlue]

OH CRAP!!!

it looks like my engine is toast!

oil filter housing had a lot of metal particles and the filter is full of green plastic bits..











on the way to the shop (6 miles away) i got a bit of vibration and the oil pressure light came on for a second.

fresh oil and a new filter and driving home the light came on for half a second.
engine doesnt clunk or anything but its probably eating itself up inside.


DAMN! should i still try and take it to get it checked or assume it's gone?

i am having a bad Sunday to say the least. if it is dead at least it went out like a sports car, pushing hard at 7200 RPM in a tunnel screaming like a murder victim. a worthy death. :ah:

[Jamesp]

Originally Posted by CrisZenithBlue

OH CRAP!!!

it looks like my engine is toast!

oil filter housing had a lot of metal particles and the filter is full of green plastic bits..











on the way to the shop (6 miles away) i got a bit of vibration and the oil pressure light came on for a second.

fresh oil and a new filter and driving home the light came on for half a second.
engine doesnt clunk or anything but its probably eating itself up inside.


DAMN! should i still try and take it to get it checked or assume it's gone?

i am having a bad Sunday to say the least. if it is dead at least it went out like a sports car, pushing hard at 7200 RPM in a tunnel screaming like a murder victim. a worthy death. :ah:

I don't see an IMS failure here. Get a magnet and see if the trash in your filter is magnetic. If not, your IMS bearing is very likely fine. One or both of your variocam adjusters seem to have bit the dust, Contact Woody to see if he has replacements. While you are in there you might consider new chain ramps and tensioners.

[CrisZenithBlue]

regardless of what it was that caused it.. i am getting a bit concerned about a rebuild not lasting.

could i get some input on what is a MUST to replace while rebuilding?

also, would you say it's better to drop a used engine because of the difficulty of cleaning the broken one? is it really that difficult to clean the metal shavings?

i'm about to pull the trigger and having some second thoughts about the rebuild hearing some of the concerns.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by CrisZenithBlue

regardless of what it was that caused it.. i am getting a bit concerned about a rebuild not lasting.

could i get some input on what is a MUST to replace while rebuilding?

also, would you say it's better to drop a used engine because of the difficulty of cleaning the broken one? is it really that difficult to clean the metal shavings?

i'm about to pull the trigger and having some second thoughts about the rebuild hearing some of the concerns.

A proper clean out is essential, preferably using and ultra sonic system. I would pull your current engine and look it over before making any decision. And who you select to do your engine is critical, a lot of shops claim they can, but that is not always the case.

[CrisZenithBlue]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

A proper clean out is essential, preferably using and ultra sonic system. I would pull your current engine and look it over before making any decision.

good point! one way or the other it needs to come out and for some extra labor the mechanic could look it over and make a decision from there.

[78F350]

Good 2.7L here in the classifieds. Cellkid22 sounds like he is willing to accept any reasonable offer and ship. Probably better than a rebuild from what I have read of your situation.
http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-parts-sale-wanted/61971-2001-2-7-engine-21k-ready-drop.html#post500357

[jdraupp]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Now, does anyone care to hazard a guess as to what area of the engine he will find codes for?

Cam deviation bank 1-3?

[CrisZenithBlue]

Originally Posted by jdraupp

Cam deviation bank 1-3?

is the green plastic chain tensioner ramp which prob went bad and screwed up the timing which made the engine chew itself up?

i thought that would throw a code or something when it went out of norm.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by jdraupp

Cam deviation bank 1-3?

Interesting call, now tells us why?

[specboxCO]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Interesting call, now tells us why?

Failure of the hydraulic cam adjuster. The green material is from the seals inside the unit.

[Disaster]

Originally Posted by specboxCO

Failure of the hydraulic cam adjuster. The green material is from the seals inside the unit.

And if it got out of timing that would explain a lot and not be a catastrophic failure.

But the one rule is STOP driving at the first sign of an issue. That can be the difference between a minor fix (cam chain tensioners) and total engine failure.