Overheated to 250, died on side of highway, left stranded

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by Overdrive

If you mean an automatic with a gate to the side to allow for manual shifting, that's a vanilla Mazda3, probably even a 3i if it was a rental, so no surprise it was quite pedestrian to your Boxster.

yeah my rental 2012 focus offers that, and trust me pushing a button is not the same as rowing gears at all

[ekam]

Is it because of broken water pump impeller blades? It's a good reminder to those that haven't changed out theirs yet...

[Overdrive]

And inquiry, I think you may have just trusted a bit too much here. If this was someone who doesn't know Porsches specifically, I wouldn't figure this to be good advice. Flashing or solid red lights tend to set off alarms and wave flags in anyone's mind, and clearly you had your doubts here. You should have erred on the side of caution knowing that these cars have numerous failure points, some of which can have rather catastrophic results.

I don't mean for that to sound harsh and bust your balls, so don't take it personally. It's just a rather hard lesson to learn. I hope you're able to get this sorted out between this shop where your car currently is and maybe an engine from Jake Raby, and without breaking that bank too heavily.

Then, in the future, get the car on a flatbed when it starts yelling at you.

[Crono0001]

My god, that image scares the JesusRapingAngels out of me. I would pull over before it even got NEAR that point, regardless of what ANYONE said.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by Crono0001

My god, that image scares the JesusRapingAngels out of me. I would pull over before it even got NEAR that point, regardless of what ANYONE said.

i agree... and i called someone, and said this really isn't right, this is not what is suppose to happen, and they should have said exactly what you said "My god, that scares the JesusRapingAngels out of me. I would pull over"

but they didn't... and i know, that sounds really stupid, but.... i trusted someone, with my car, someone who had earned that trust over many years of many successful repairs, and this is what happened. How was I suppose to know? After being right every time for so long... kinda just trust them to be right, you know?

I would have been better off on my own, I was on the side of the highway, I would have shut off the car and called a tow truck and take a cab to work, then rent a car like I did to get home, but at least I'd still have my Porsche

[MConte05]

Do you have a place to install the engine yourself? Got a decent garage? Fall is coming up, temps will be dropping, and I'll have a few months of downtime from my racing program to help out someone with an engine swap. I've pulled out and swapped lots of Subaru engines (putting in a new engine/trans this weekend in my race car). I'll gladly pitch in and help you out with an engine swap if you want to go the DIY route. With a complete engine it really is pretty simple. Just gotta plug everything in the right spots. Just takes time.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by MConte05

Do you have a place to install the engine yourself? Got a decent garage? Fall is coming up, temps will be dropping, and I'll have a few months of downtime from my racing program to help out someone with an engine swap. I've pulled out and swapped lots of Subaru engines (putting in a new engine/trans this weekend in my race car). I'll gladly pitch in and help you out with an engine swap if you want to go the DIY route. With a complete engine it really is pretty simple. Just gotta plug everything in the right spots. Just takes time.

I have a garage but not a "garage" so I have no tools, just a hammer, adjustable wrench and cordless drill, will that be enough? I'm afraid purchasing tools for a engine swap could cost nearly as much as paying someone.

These aren't the same engines in subarus are they?

Don't tempt me on a swap, half me really wants to swap, especially after test driving that boxster tonight and seeing how bad a used boxster can get and what great shape my boxster was in!

[MConte05]

Originally Posted by 986_inquiry

I have a garage but not a "garage" so I have no tools, just a hammer, adjustable wrench and cordless drill, will that be enough? I'm afraid purchasing tools for a engine swap could cost nearly as much as paying someone.

These aren't the same engines in subarus are they?

Don't tempt me on a swap, half me really wants to swap, especially after test driving that boxster tonight and seeing how bad a used boxster can get and what great shape my boxster was in!

Really all you need is a good jack, jackstands (all cheap at Harbor Freight) and a metric tool set. If you seriously wanted to do a swap yourself, I could bring my tools over for a weekend and help you out, or let you borrow some. Things are much easier with a portable impact, extensions, and a good torque wrench.

Not the same engine, but similar design (boxer), though you have to drop the engine down through the car rather than pull it up in a Subaru. But really once you've tackled one modern engine swap, you've tackled them all. Hardest part seems to be removing the transmission, and that doesn't really seem all that hard in itself, just time consuming.

Once you've swapped an engine you'll be able to tackle any maintenance job on most any car. I know I am confident. Just not confident enough to rebuild a trans. That'll I'll still have a pro do, ha.

Check your PM's.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by MConte05

Really all you need is a good jack, jackstands (all cheap at Harbor Freight) and a metric tool set. If you seriously wanted to do a swap yourself, I could bring my tools over for a weekend and help you out, or let you borrow some. Things are much easier with a portable impact, extensions, and a good torque wrench.

Not the same engine, but similar design (boxer), though you have to drop the engine down through the car rather than pull it up in a Subaru. But really once you've tackled one modern engine swap, you've tackled them all. Hardest part seems to be removing the transmission, and that doesn't really seem all that hard in itself, just time consuming.

Once you've swapped an engine you'll be able to tackle any maintenance job on most any car. I know I am confident. Just not confident enough to rebuild a trans. That'll I'll still have a pro do, ha.

Check your PM's.

thanks, I'm considering swapping. Buying another boxster is smarter financially but I really loved mine

For now I'll just have to buy something cheap to get around since ex wanted my extra vehicle.

[Flavor 987S]

Hey 986 Inquiry, maybe you did some damage to your cooling system last year when you smashed into that pedestrian? That poor lady. How's she recovering from her injuries? You were going to sue her for getting in your way and wearing black clothing at night time. Maybe you can use some of your lawsuit proceeds, and pay for a new engine or Boxster, or brand new Boxster 981 with all the options. Karma, dude......it will get ya!

[Overdrive]

Go track down some beater Neon...I'd normally say find one for $500 with a blown head gasket, which isn't hard at all to repair, but you can find a cheap beater to get around in, no problem.

As I said before, be careful shopping around for used engines if you decide to go the swap route. Not everyone has scruples and puts these things back together well.

You should also find out from the shop where the car is now what happened to your engine. Maybe it can be rebuilt.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by Overdrive

Go track down some beater Neon...I'd normally say find one for $500 with a blown head gasket, which isn't hard at all to repair, but you can find a cheap beater to get around in, no problem.

As I said before, be careful shopping around for used engines if you decide to go the swap route. Not everyone has scruples and puts these things back together well.

You should also find out from the shop where the car is now what happened to your engine. Maybe it can be rebuilt.

Reid Vann mentioned the cost of rebuild being 13k, so I'm guessing it can be, otherwise why quote me a price? I'll ask again when they call back

I learned a valuable lesson: never take a Porsche to a shop that does not work on Porsches often. Yes, labor is about double at a Porsche specialist, but a few hundred bucks difference is MUCH cheaper than the emotional stress and financial burden of a new engine.

I'm also discovering every Porsche is unique. They might leave the factory the same, but they're not all in the same condition 10 yrs later. That great deal on craigslist or ebay might not run as great as the seller claims, and there could be a lot of problems not mentioned in the ad, like the 99 I drove yesterday with the rollbars eaten up, engine not accelerating like it should and steering wheel shaking at 60mph. Sure it can be repaired, but who wants to pay full blue book and have a bunch of repairs? Just because a engine light is not on does not mean the Porsche is driving like it should

[986_inquiry]

Boxster is still at Reid Vann. I called for more information. They said they're still looking for a 2.5 locally. Asked about financing and no, none available. I could pay the 4k+, but there are cheaper options right now, like buying a beater and driving that for a few months, until I figure out if swapping or new boxster is the better

They're going to get back to me about the cost of installation and engine availability. Told them flat6 has one, Reid said they'll let me know how much to install if I bring in my own engine. Right now i owe $55 for half hour diagnosis

[986_inquiry]

reid vann emailed me a estimate: $7000 total. $1300 labor, $4500 engine, $1200 for taxes, fees, water pump, oil, etc

I emailed them back with a long list of questions , ill post them When I hear back

Engine is used 2.5 with 29k on it

[Ghostrider 310]

Inquiry, The valuable lesson is to not ignore idiot lights, one can blow and American engine the exact same way, overheating is after all overheating. Your wedding pal mechanic was flat wrong regardless of maker.

I had a shop to use free to rebuild my 986 but I was physically unable to do it, which was THE ONLY way that made economic sense on a 10+ year old car. If you pull the trigger, at the end of the journey you have another engine without knowledge of driving history and still laden with the faults the company has since tried to correct, just my two cents. If I had done that and had another failure I'd have been close to paying far more than half a spyder (with initial purchase included) and still have a roller.

Regarding the "kick to your balls" while you are currently fetal. What happened in the past seemed a bit ugly to me too but people are humans and the best we can do is learn from that and try to be a better man next time. I would remind the poster that grinding a lesson into another person while standing in judgement is also tossing a big negative boomerang, best not to have too many airborne at once. Good luck.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

Inquiry, The valuable lesson is to not ignore idiot lights, one can blow and American engine the exact same way, overheating is after all overheating. Your wedding pal mechanic was flat wrong regardless of maker.

I had a shop to use free to rebuild my 986 but I was physically unable to do it, which was THE ONLY way that made economic sense on a 10+ year old car. If you pull the trigger, at the end of the journey you have another engine without knowledge of driving history and still laden with the faults the company has since tried to correct, just my two cents. If I had done that and had another failure I'd have been close to paying far more than half a spyder (with initial purchase included) and still have a roller.

Regarding the "kick to your balls" while you are currently fetal. What happened in the past seemed a bit ugly to me too but people are humans and the best we can do is learn from that and try to be a better man next time. I would remind the poster that grinding a lesson into another person is also tossing a big negative boomerang, best not to have too many airborne at once. Good luck.

Oh I did not ignore any lights, every time a light came on I either brought the car to the shop or called mechanic and described what was happening. I did as told, unfortunately the person I was asking was not the expert they claimed to be.

So the lesson I learned was call the actual Porsche experts and listen to them... or call two Porsche experts maybe

And... am I grinding a lesson into someone? Sorry if someone feels that way, I'm trying to grind it into myself really, I certainly learned my lesson and just posting my story, I hope it doesn't feel like i am rubbing something in someone's face because that is not my intent

[Ghostrider 310]

No, I think Flav a Flav took a lil cheap shot but having said that your posts of that incident were a bit tough to read. My point is anyone is capable of being a dick, the true measure of the man is whether he has contrition for his stupidity, makes restitution if necessary and changes for the next go around.

PS I thought you said the gauge was pinned hot when the car crapped, if so my point stands, that would happen with any car, they share similar technology.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

No, I think Flav a Flav took a lil cheap shot but having said that your posts of that incident were a bit tough to read. My point is anyone is capable of being a dick, the true measure of the man is whether he has contrition for his stupidity, makes restitution if necessary and changes for the next go around.

PS I thought you said the gauge was pinned hot when the car crapped, if so my point stands, that would happen with any car, they share similar technology.

I blocked him a long time ago, still he's been trolling my posts for months. Forum appears unmoderated since flagging his posts has not helped

It got hot, I brought it in Monday for repairs. Got hot Tuesday, I called, told ok. Went to max temp Wednesday morning, I pulled off road and called. Told gauge broke, keep driving. I kept driving, engine blew 15 miles later

[Topless]

$7k with a fresh IMS sounds like a fair price if you are unable to do the work yourself.

The main lesson here applies to every car: Rapidly rising temp gauge, pull the car over and shut down the motor. Gauge pinned at 250F, motor is now dead and life just got more expensive.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by Topless

$7k with a fresh IMS sounds like a fair price if you are unable to do the work yourself.

The main lesson here applies to every car: Rapidly rising temp gauge, pull the car over and shut down the motor. Gauge pinned at 250F, motor is now dead and life just got more expensive.

IMS was not listed as a part, I do not know I that is being replaced, I would assume not but you are correct I would have that replaced before install so add that to the 7k

Surely they would include IMS in that price though, right? As often as those fail, no shop would quote a engine install without it, right?