Diagnosed dead at 76K miles

[GhengisEEK]

My 2000 Boxster recently was diagnosed "dead", or must be replaced. Needless to say I'm seeking second opinions.

When I left home, it left a strange smell in the garage. Down the road some 40 miles the oil light flickered on the dash, and a squeel came from the back. I stopped driving the car within 200 yards of the oil light.

My first thought was the oil pump or some belt was causing the squeel. My mechanic told me that pre '02 Boxsters are known to have a "defect" in the engine that the cams go bad... I'm awaiting the full report tomorrow.

I'm being told that engine should be replaced... can't this be rebuilt?
Anyone have/know of such a experience?

I was quoted $9k for the new 2.7L, and $3k for installation. I'm looking for options (1) byte the bullet (2) rebuild if possible (3) sell the car (4) ?

[blinkwatt]

$3k for a straight 2.7L to another same design 2.7L is a little high. I would think $1.5k-2k max. Just try to wait with patience for the diagnosis. Keep us informed.

[Wintermute]

Originally Posted by GhengisEEK

When I left home, it left a strange smell in the garage. Down the road some 40 miles the oil light flickered on the dash, and a squeel came from the back. I stopped driving the car within 200 years of the oil light.

I think your problem was the time warp you drove through that caused you to drive the car for 200 years with the oil light on.

I have nothing to add except, great typo.

[Ronzi]

"I'm being told that engine should be replaced... can't this be rebuilt?
Anyone have/know of such a experience?"

Porsche does rebuild them. That's what you (probably) will get if you buy a replacement engine from a dealer.
What they don't do is sell engine rebuild parts to third party engine rebuilders, nor to car owners for that matter.

I have heard some discussion that this may be changing in the future, but for the moment at least, if you need a "new" engine, you gotta get it from Porsche.

[Brucelee]

Actually, Porsche does NOT rebuild engines. They ship new engines but they re-use a few external parts, such as shrouding etc.

Thus they cannot claim it is a NEW engine as they do have some reused parts on the externals.

The internals are all new.

At least according to both parts and service at my local dealer.

They warranty the "rebuilt engines" for 12/12 I believe.

[denverpete]

I particularly love the mechanic comment. I wish I had a dollar for every supposed known defect that causes the engine failure. It's the cam. No it's the intermediate shaft. No wait it's the cylinder sleeves. Oh, here's your problem - you're not supposed to drive over 40 miles at a time....

I wouldn't expect much from the "full diagnosis". To get that, you'd have to pay for them to dig into the engine and you probably don't want to add that expense to your potential engine replacement.

Out of curiosity, do you have an oil spot in your garage under where the Boxster sits? Please check and let us know. Might have been an RMS failure....

Please keep us posted on your tragedy....