986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - possible severe engine damage

Fluellen · 02-15-2011, 10:55 AM

Another update.

Spark plugs looked okay, albeit a bit sooty for my taste. 19 Kmi / 3.5 years on the plugs. Perhaps I need to look into the O2 sensors...

Plug #1 was noticeably loose, perhaps barely hand tight. My hypothesis is that this plug was never installed tight enough and loosened due the recent extremely cold outdoor temperatures around here. This perhaps could explain the clattering.

Compression test yielded good consistent numbers (>140) across all cylinders.

I installed new spark plugs and started the car. Smooth idle. Slowly reving up to 2500 rpm, there were no noises.

I can't do a road test at this time, because I discovered that my rear axle boots are torn and need to be replaced. They were fine four months ago; perhaps also a victim of the cold temperatures.

For now, I am hopeful that this could be the happy ending to this story... we'll see.

Thank you, everyone, for your helpful advice and suggestions!

02-15-2011, 10:55 AM	#18
Fluellen Doc Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 69	Another update. Spark plugs looked okay, albeit a bit sooty for my taste. 19 Kmi / 3.5 years on the plugs. Perhaps I need to look into the O2 sensors... Plug #1 was noticeably loose, perhaps barely hand tight. My hypothesis is that this plug was never installed tight enough and loosened due the recent extremely cold outdoor temperatures around here. This perhaps could explain the clattering. Compression test yielded good consistent numbers (>140) across all cylinders. I installed new spark plugs and started the car. Smooth idle. Slowly reving up to 2500 rpm, there were no noises. I can't do a road test at this time, because I discovered that my rear axle boots are torn and need to be replaced. They were fine four months ago; perhaps also a victim of the cold temperatures. For now, I am hopeful that this could be the happy ending to this story... we'll see. Thank you, everyone, for your helpful advice and suggestions!