Hello people, Im a noob, I just bought a 98 Porsche Boxster but have problems : (

[dti]

Ok so I bought this car off my aunt. This car has been sitting unused for over 3 years due to a problem she ran into. After conducting research on the car I found that this problem is quite common among this model and engine.

I have found oil ( lots of it ) in the water cooling reservoirs and system. The car starts off like a dream and I have not done a diagnostic with a mechanic, I also do not drive it since I am hoping to cause less of a problem for the engine. Although I am new to Porsches I am not new to engine modding and or repair. the car has 128,000 miles.
If anyone can point me to the right direction that would be fantastic. I will take pics of it and start posting on my process in fixing this vehicle. If it requires dropping the engine, I have a bud that knows a little so we will be doing the dropping and installing ourselves. I have also found a machine shop by here in L.A. that is ready to take the job. But if any one can help me with this topic I will greatly appreciate it. thanks!

[jonnycool]

well you have come to the right place i feel, check out the search engine on the site as probably every fault with a 986 has happened to SOMEONE on here, i bet you anything you'll have it running in no time and quite a few dollars left in your wallet than if you were to take it to a porsche dealer If it has been given to you cheap just blow whatever you would have spent on some tin box ricer on it!!!, you WON'T be disapointed

[Lil bastard]

Oil in the coolant is a SERIOUS problem!

Do NOT run the car!

Get it to a Qualified Porsche Mechanic, not some guy you know, or trust - this goes beyond trust!

You and your buddy may have some experience, but these motors are waay beyond the capabilities of even the above average shade tree mechanic!

It's not gonna be cheap - never saw an oil-in-the-coolant issue which was, so be prepared!

Cheers!

[Spinnaker]

Check out this thread, the heat exchanger might be the culprit.
http://www.986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21749&highlight=oil+cooler

[dti]

cool thanks guys, I will document my adventure with this engine with lots of pics. Thanks for the help, we will be doing a compression test and removal of the bumper exhaust and tranny this weekend. I did more research and found that most people pinpointed the problems to 3 main things: the head ( warped or cracked or gasket )
or the Heat exchanger or possibly even a cracked block. I talked to some porsche mechanics here and they all claimed it's probably the head. Is there any way to know if it's the heat exchanger, or the head? or should I drop the engine and just take it to them and leave it in their hands? I really want to pinpoint the problem, either way I know the engine will have to come down : (

Originally Posted by Spinnaker

Check out this thread, the heat exchanger might be the culprit.
http://www.986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21749&highlight=oil+cooler

[dti]

I think I'm going to work my way down to the problem. Compression test and the heads, if they are not the culprit then probably heat exchanger, and if that's not it...then I have no clue hehe

[Paul]

With that mileage on the motor, I'd find a good used one.