Another one bites the dust

[j.fro]

Hate to say it, but the engine in my 986 expired yesterday. I pulled into a parking lot and a big ol' cloud of steam came from the right rear of the car. I thought the coolant tank had given up, but when I opened the trunk, instead I found chocolate milk all over the place. UGH. I'm guessing cracked cylinder head, just like my 996 did a little over a year ago (that's still not back together). There were NO warning signs. The temps never hit 180; the gauge always shows to the left of straight up. mileage is at 188980. I was really hoping to hit 200K. Dammit!! I drained the oil, and that looked fine, so the bottom end is probably OK. Hopefully it's only oil in coolant and not coolant in the oil.

[steved0x]

Maybe just the oil cooler? Good luck with getting it all sorted! And dang it.

[Quadcammer]

If you get lucky and its just an oil cooler, I have a boxster S one with maybe 1000 miles for a good price.

good luck

[thstone]

Sorry to hear of this but like the others, hoping that its just a failed oil cooler.

[robdelorenzo]

Sorry to hear this.
+1 on the oil cooler.

[DWBOX2000]

For us non motor guys, what would be involved with just a bad oil cooler. How difficult to replace?

[BoxsterSteve]

Oil cooler o-rings are usually the culprit.
Drain off some coolant, swap out o-rings, top up coolant and maybe an oil change for good measure.

[robdelorenzo]

I read somewhere on here that the oil cooler from the "S" is larger and fits on the base and provides better cooling. FWIW

[j.fro]

I drained the oil and it looked good. The coolant tank was full of intermix. When I opened up the coolant drain, the first couple of gallons looked good, but then I opened the line going into the oil cooler and things turned to bad intermix. When I pulled the oil cooler, the o rings were good, so it's not them. I've got an oil cooler I know is good, so that will go on tomorrow, then I'll do a good coolant flush and see how it goes. Wish me luck!

[sfkjeld]

Yup, looks familiar. Mine blew at freeway speed. Actually blew the oil cap off. Chocolate milk everywhere. The good news for you is that you got 189k out of the engine. I got 33k.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by j.fro

I drained the oil and it looked good. The coolant tank was full of intermix. When I opened up the coolant drain, the first couple of gallons looked good, but then I opened the line going into the oil cooler and things turned to bad intermix. When I pulled the oil cooler, the o rings were good, so it's not them. I've got an oil cooler I know is good, so that will go on tomorrow, then I'll do a good coolant flush and see how it goes. Wish me luck!

Good luck brother! Hoping for the best!

[Timco]

Best of luck bro.