I told them to just put it on the lot so I can take it back. I'll be able to check the filter myself Friday and I'll post pics. After that I'll tow it home or to a new shop depending on what I find. I found a new porsche indy in the area with good reviews that I'm going to call.

I'm not sure when in 2005 the car was built and whether or not the IMS was of the newer design or not. It was built in Finland. That being said the sound was not a clatter but a consistent, reverberating tapping, which came from what felt like the upper part of the engine area.

After getting my hands on the filter this is what I found. :(

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Mostly not magnetic.... Copper/bronze colored. Deciding what my next step will be...

By the way with 200,000 miles on it, if its toast is it worth it to do a rebuild or sell it and save up for a 2012-2014 981?

Rod bearing?

Thats what the mechanic said.

You did the right thing getting a second opinion. These guys mustve been gouging you for many years. Supplying your own partsand chcharging 2k labour on suspension parts is borderline criminal.

Sorry about the news

If you like the car and everything else is in good shape (we know the suspension is brand new) you should look for a used engine. You can also look for 2005 996 3.6 and 3.8 liter engines! Is a 2005 Boxster S a 3.2 or 3.4 liter? If it's 3.2, there are also Cayman S 3.4 engines. More Power!

Actually their prices were pretty reasonable in the past and I really haven't had anything major done with them besides the wheel bearings. I didn't do my due diligence and re-check for other shops in the area. Last time I checked was when I bought the car and one or 2 specialty shops sprung up since then. Everything else that popped up I fixed myself. Got a new condenser and window regulator I was just about to put in, and just replaced the seats :(

I believe the 987 is a 3.2. Me and the mechanic discussed used engines and of course unknown history can be a factor, as well as labor costs. He currently has 7 engines they're rebuilding. I unfortunately don't have the funds to tackle that right now so I'll probably sell it as a roller since it has so many miles and I don't have the facilities to part it out.

Any ideas on what its worth? 4k maybe? I do love the car but since it will be hefty to fix, I figure I should that money towards an newer (used) one.

Well I am by no means an expert on values, but a rule of thumb might be to start with what you or another reasonable buyer would be willing to pay for your car sell for if it had a good engine. From that deduct an estimate for the cost of a good used engine plus the labor to install it, and factor in some kind of discount for taking on the project, other potential surprises and since the buyer won't be able to drive it and see how the transmission, brakes and steering feel.

Woody can let you know as he buys wrecks or roller to part out.

Is there any way i can get in touch with him. Is he a user on the forum?

Also subtracting the price of the engine and labor makes sense in finding the value. My mechanic told me he might have a guy that wants to buy it that races them. Thx for the suggestion.

Not sure if I should try craigslist or just post on forums if that falls thru.

Woody's user name is itsnotnova. Just reach out to him as he's super helpful.

Is the mechanic that now thinks it's a rod bearing the same guy who wouldn't drop the filter because he "knew" it was the IMS?

No, I had it towed to a another mechanic in the area. This guy was straight with me and very detailed. Its a porsche specific indy I found. After he saw the filter and checked the car he showed me that the sound was coming from the center of the engine and likely a bearing. He had a lot of blocks, cranks, parts and engines in the shop and was actually able to how me which part was likely damaged with parts from a engine he was rebuilding.

Still starts up but the end is inevitable.

He said he's never seen an IMS bearing go on any 2005 he's worked on. First thing he told me on the phone was he needs to check the filter. Soon as he saw me you should have seen his face, he was more distressed than I was to tell me the news.

Sorry to hear the news was confirmed. Take a breath, you'll figure out your best path forward.

Thanks for all the help!!

Some 2005 Boxsters have the single row IMS that is the most probable to fail. Depends on the build date and what Porsche grabbed from the parts bin that day.

Are you gonna sell it or repair it? I'm interested if you're considering selling

Have you looked at Vertex for a replacement engine? With the amt of miles on your car, it has to be hard to decide what to do. Good luck.

I'm just going to sell it as a roller; just don't have the funds to buy a replacement engine right now or get a rebuild done. I've seen the rebuild DIY and its definitely out of my league. If I'm going to spend that much I might as well put it towards a down payment on a 981.

Hopefully I can find someone that races them or would want to part it out since its worth the most to them. If anyone is interested just PM me. Located in VA.