987 Engine Failure Help

[darkstormvx]

They haven't charged me anything yet. The 776.00 figure is to (diagnose) the problem by pulling the transmission, which means I'll end up spending way more replacing the IMS, and clutch stuff if they do that; (I'd be stupid not to). And that might not even be the problem. They already came to the conclusion to do this after they claim they troubleshot the problem. This was after they told me they hadn't checked the filter and oil yet.

I'm initially hesitant to start questioning a porsche tech, but I wasn't given any details on how they came to this conclusion. I suspect they are going to charge to check the filter and drain the oil, and I suspect it will be over $100, when I can jack it up and check the filter myself in 5 mins.

The fact that they have not checked the oil filter, or asked me to do this is what concerns me. For me, that brings the integrity of the technician into question. To suspect IMS failure and not check that first?! It makes me want to do it myself and not let them do it, or take it somewhere else. Should I press the issue? Because I can respectfully do so. Still, that's not a position I like to be in; I shouldn't have to tell the experienced one what to do in order to save money. Its like they just want to sell me.

I wish had the thought to record the sound before I pulled over. I'm somewhat sure it was something timing related. I'm thinking I over-revved or something, I did get halfway into the red one shift. Even pushing over 200000 miles I'm not perfect. But I love my engine.

[Cbonilla]

Originally Posted by darkstormvx

They haven't charged me anything yet. The 776.00 figure is to (diagnose) the problem by pulling the transmission,

That's an expensive first diagnostic step. Check to oil filter for metal contamination and then pull the pan. I'd actually skip the oil filter and just pull the pan to see how much metal is in it. If its bad don't even bother putting the pan back on.

When my IMS went there was a ton of oil under the car.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Cbonilla

When my IMS went there was a ton of oil under the car.

That sound like yours was more of a center bolt failure, which ultimately took out the bearing.

[Cbonilla]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

That sound like yours was more of a center bolt failure, which ultimately took out the bearing.

Could very well be, but the difference was just a matter of moments between first hearing the clatter of valves meeting pistons and getting to the side of the road and restarting the car only to continue hearing the clatter. Whether the bolt failed and caused the bearing to fail or the bearing failed is an academic question with no practical difference. And my shop did say that the pan was full of metal pieces

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Cbonilla

Could very well be, but the difference was just a matter of moments between first hearing the clatter of valves meeting pistons and getting to the side of the road and restarting the car only to continue hearing the clatter. Whether the bolt failed and caused the bearing to fail or the bearing failed is an academic question with no practical difference. And my shop did say that the pan was full of metal pieces

Normally, if there is such a thing with IMS failures, if there is substantial oil loss from inside the bell housing area, it is because of center bolt failure:



When this happens, oil seal is lost and the lack of centering and axial control of the entire IMS shaft simply beats the IMS bearing to death, which results in piston to valve contact, etc.

But by far, the most common comment we hear when one fails is. "there was a noise and it stopped running". Usually, that is the last time it runs.

[Cbonilla]

JFP -- far be it from me to teach you about the Boxster engine. That was just my experience. If the bearing fails, or the bolt fails, your engine is toast immediately. So for people like me, a distinction without a difference

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Cbonilla

JFP -- far be it from me to teach you about the Boxster engine. That was just my experience. If the bearing fails, or the bolt fails, your engine is toast immediately. So for people like me, a distinction without a difference

I understand your point fully as the ultimate end result is the same and to you and the rationale would sound like semantics; but for those of us that spend out days trying to keep these things from happening, it matters. For example, center bolt failures are exactly why I recommend against another poster trying to reuse the factory bolt, and why the better made aftermarket kits use a much larger center bolt without the under cut for the O-ring, which is where most bolt failures start.