Blown engine? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

MNBoxster · 03-25-2007, 05:28 PM

Hi,

Oil Separator and/or associated Tubing seems like the issue to me, but that's the simplified answer.

I assume that you checked the Oil Level prior to cranking it up from it's Winter Nap. If so, you blew 2 Qts. of Oil through the Intake system, which will need to be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned, incl. the Throttle Body. Then, you probably contaminated the Plugs, O² Sensors on both Banks, and maybe damaged the Cats as well. You may also need to flush the Cylinders w/ Carb Cleaner and then blow them dry w/ compressed air. You'll also need an Oil and Filter change.

If you didn't check the Oil Level prior to starting it, why not? (That's not so much an admonishment of you as much as it is a warning to others...)

Long Distance diagnoses are difficult at best. But from your description, it sounds as if the mechanicals are intact - no IMS failure.

Check under the Car for signs of leakage to insure that a catastrophic RMS or IMS seal didn't let go and the airflow dragged the spilt Oil over the Exhaust system and what you saw wasn't ignited Oil from the exterior of the Muffler.

Also check the Urethane Bumper Cover for signs of melting from the associated Fire.

Before committing to any plan of action or buying any parts, unless you're a skilled DIYer, have a good mechanic look it over to confirm your suspicions. Good Luck!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Brucelee · 03-25-2007, 06:23 PM

Based on this addtional data, I would guess blown head gastket.

Hugh D · 03-25-2007, 06:33 PM

I have to ask... how'd you put out the fire? I've considered putting a fire exstinguisher in my car.... as a just incase

wvav8tor · 03-25-2007, 07:35 PM

Would a blown head gasket result in loss of coolant? There was none as the coolant level shows full, also checked under the car and no signs of oil.

I have been running the car for about two weeks now although no big trips and yes I check the oil level. The car was running great before this occured and the first sign of a problem was the light blue smoke rolling out the back. That quit and a couple of seconds later the white smoke and lots of it.

MNBoxster · 03-25-2007, 07:37 PM

Hi,

Yep, I still say Oil Separator/Tubing. That doesn't guarantee I'm right, but that's my bet...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

wvav8tor · 03-25-2007, 08:03 PM

I put the fire out with an extinguisher I had with me but after thinking about it I could have just stuff a rag(which I had in hand) up the exhaust pipe but I was in the panic mode and just didn't think about it. The whole thing including the fire was a real cool effect but I guess the timing was just wrong

I'm really trying to keep my sense of humor about this but it is hard, I only put about 500 miles on the car and this is my second Boxster in six months to go south on me. The first needing the imfamous RMS done and a new clutch as well.

I love the pure pleasure of driving these cars and as I have said the most fun ever in any other car I have owned. Having said that I will get the car fixed and then I think I'm gone. I simply do not have the cash to keep a car like this running and should have taken that in to consideration but I didn't and am now paying the price. You would think a car as refined as this one is would not be proned to these problems and what is funny the same problems seem to continue through later models.

I guess it is back to my ole 98 Ford F150 which I have sunk nearly $1500.00 in over 141000 miles...not bad huh. The only problem is damn top won't go down

djomlas · 03-25-2007, 09:33 PM

well at least the F150 doesnt have any RMS problems, or stupid convertible top problems, os fire coming out of it.

but its kinda funny, even after all the troubles we go trough w our cars, if we sell them we will probably end up getting a new one just like it

wvav8tor · 03-26-2007, 04:08 PM

Contacted the dealer (Tower Auto in Pittsburgh) and in so many words told me sorry about your luck. I almost understand and if I had put any kind of mileage on the car than so be it but only 500 hundred miles and a major problem occurs and not even an offer to look at the car, I think is way below the belt. I guess it is something to think about if anyone is planning to do business with them in the future…great people when you are buying but cold as hell when you have a problem.

Porsche dealership in Pittsburgh is supposed to call me in the morning I will see what they have to say. I also have a appointment next Monday with a foreign car expert ( I had no idea that anyone in Morgantown was an expert at anything) and he said it could be the oil separator but also said it could be other more major things…I have heard he is pricy and it sounds like we are headed in that direction.

As suggested here I did remove the oil refill cap to see if it would stop smoking but it seem to blow as much smoke as before, I did not run it long and was wondering if I should have. I figure that it would take sometime to burn off the oil but it appeared not to be decreasing any in the short time I ran it. I believe the hardest part is waiting to find out how much this is going to cost and mechanics are like doctors and none of them get in a hurry.

I do know if the engine is gone it will sit in my garage for sometime to come or I will sell it as is…anyone know what something like that would be worth?

Thanks for letting me whine. :ah:
dusty