Engine Failure - Help, What do I do?

[2001saxster]

This is my first post on the forum and I am desperately in need of some advice. I've had my 2001 Boxster S for only about 6 months. It just got the 60,000 mile inspection about a month ago. Last week while on a very short trip (only a few blocks) the coolant light started flashing. I had the car parked a few minutes then drove it home and the light had turned off. Same thing happened the next day so I called the dealer who instructed me to top it off with coolant. Everything seemed fine as the light went off again. Later as I was getting on the freeway I blew a big cloud of smoke out of the tailpipe and a few minutes later the lights flashing again and so is the check engine light. It wasn't overheating and didn't seem to be driving bad other than that but I was very concerned so I went straight home (not far). I didn't drive it all weekend and made an appointment with the dealer first thing on Monday morning. They said it was Ok to drive in as long as it wasn't overheating. Now I just got the call with the diagnosis. Engine Failure! They explained that it was leaking coolant into the oil. The only fix is a new (or possibly used) engine at a cost of $15,000! I have no idea what to do now. Its not as if I am a millionaire and that was a disposable toy. It was my baby and now I am absolutely heart broken. Any words of advice, wisdom, or comfort from anyone who has gone through this would be greatly appreciated.

Did you drive the car with a flashing CEL?

[2001saxster]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Did you drive the car with a flashing CEL?

Only the 4 blocks home before calling the dealer who instructed me to top it off with water. He said that just meant that it was low on coolant. The next time I drove it the flashing light was off but turned on again when I got that puff of smoke out of the tailpipe.

It is my understanding that it was not the loss of coolant that caused the engine failure, but rather the other way around. The coolant was lost into the oil pan because of a cracked/shifted cylinder sleeve.

[NickCats]

Saxster,

So sorry to hear that ! Unfortunately, it looks like you are not the only one that this has happened to :

http://986forum.com/forums/search.php?searchid=467825

I am suprised, it seems like this was a problem with the 99's, but you have a 01

Can't offer much but my condolences...

Nick

[Brucelee]

When you lose coolant and it isn't coming OUT of the car, it is going IN, into the oil.

This is a very bad thing of course.

I do think you engine is toast. The cheapest route is a used engine, with all the caveats of that route.

Either way, get estimates from several reputable service shops, as the labor rates vary greatly.

Sorry and good luck.

[Brucelee]

For the future, if you get a coolant and CEL light at the same time,

Pull over and park the car. Call the tow truck. This MAY have made a difference but I doubt it.

[VAPORBLADE]

Man - I have been shopping for a boxster - I planned on not buying a 97-99 for this reason. Now I am wondering if I should just pass on a boxster.

All cars have issues - did you carfax it and see if a dealer even ever serviced this car?

All and all - very sad news.

[2001saxster]

Originally Posted by VAPORBLADE

Man - I have been shopping for a boxster - I planned on not buying a 97-99 for this reason. Now I am wondering if I should just pass on a boxster.

All cars have issues - did you carfax it and see if a dealer even ever serviced this car?

All and all - very sad news.

I bought it from an authorized dealer that had serviced it since new. They gave me a carfax that was fine. I have only had it 6 months, but already got it serviced once (the 60,000 mile major inspection) at a closer authorized dealer. Talked to the dealer i bought it from today. Him and his manager looked up the history and admited the service was impecable. They even called the local dealer where it is now and talked to the tech that diagnosed it. He also agreed that with the maintainence history of this vehical it was certainly a production flaw. I hope PCNA agrees.

[Paul]

What dealership are you dealing with?

2001saxster, do not get any hopes of PCNA giving you any good-will coverage. Your car is well beyond warranty.

[skip_168]

well, if ya need a new engine, go with a used 911 motor conversion... I hear they will fit.. I don't know for sure...

[2001saxster]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

2001saxster, do not get any hopes of PCNA giving you any good-will coverage. Your car is well beyond warranty.

That may be so, but I have no intentions of letting this go without a major fight. If you go back in the boards a ways you will see that this is no isolated incident. A lot of people have had engine failures of a few different types. Porsche really needs to stand behind their product, warranty or not. There is absolutley no reason that in this day an age any car, let alone a $50,000+ performance car should experience an engine failure after only 60,000 miles when it has been properly maintained. So far everyone on the dealer level (the dealer I bought from and the tech at the dealer where it currently sits) agrees that there is nothing that could have possibly been better as far as maintainence goes on this vehical.

[silver arrow]

If it was a Subaru motor that had been overboosted I would say to get some Darton sleeves put in the thing and rebuild the bottom end. So why again does everyone buy an entirely new engine for these things? Any reason these things can't just be rebuilt.

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by silver arrow

If it was a Subaru motor that had been overboosted I would say to get some Darton sleeves put in the thing and rebuild the bottom end. So why again does everyone buy an entirely new engine for these things? Any reason these things can't just be rebuilt.

As I understand it, Porsche does everything in its power to restrict this kind of action. Not sure how that translates but you rarely find anyone rebuilding these motors (maybe never) or pulling it apart to build a face motor.

The more racing oriented here can chime in on this.

[Brucelee]

I just visited Roadfly and typed in Blown Boxster engine in the search window.

OH MY GOD.

I am speechless.

[Brucelee]

It seems that there are more parts available for the older air cooled Porsche engines. However, the issue may indeed be the block. Notice the top and bottom end parts but if the alloy block is whacked, what do youi do about that?

I have not come across any sleeving parts and maybe that isn't even doable given the characteristics of the block.

Hmmm.







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[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

As I understand it, Porsche does everything in its power to restrict this kind of action. Not sure how that translates but you rarely find anyone rebuilding these motors (maybe never) or pulling it apart to build a face motor.

The more racing oriented here can chime in on this.

It does require quite a few special tools. While there don't seem to be many rebuilders here in the states, a brit firm called Autofarm does quite a job rebuilding them and in fact making them better - http://www.autofarm.co.uk/

[2001saxster]

Yesterday i received the maintainence history of my vehical which was sent to me from the dealer I bought it from. This is basically the cars history from before I bought it. Does anyone know what the following mean and if they might have any bearing on or been an indication of future engine failure?

13poz engine elictrical
14pozce check engine light (2 times within 1 week this appears)
22poz driveshaft/diff
11poz engine repair mi

I am particularly interested in the last two because they happened one month (or less) prior to me purchasing the vehical. I think maybe the very last one was done after the vehical was traded in because there is also a line for buyers guide and detailing, but none for a loaner car. Again, any help would be very much appreciated. I as told the car was tip top with no past problems.

[2001saxster]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

As I understand it, Porsche does everything in its power to restrict this kind of action. Not sure how that translates but you rarely find anyone rebuilding these motors (maybe never) or pulling it apart to build a face motor.

The more racing oriented here can chime in on this.

So where are these re-manufactured engines the dealers are selling coming from then? It sounds to me like Porsche's policy is to recommend replacement for any engine problem (even if a full dignosis can't be made because they don't want to fully inspect it), then send that engine back to the factory to be rebuilt for the next unlucky Porsche driver to buy for another $10,000. They are probably making a good buck doing after warranty replacements on their faulty design.

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by 2001saxster

So where are these re-manufactured engines the dealers are selling coming from then? It sounds to me like Porsche's policy is to recommend replacement for any engine problem (even if a full dignosis can't be made because they don't want to fully inspect it), then send that engine back to the factory to be rebuilt for the next unlucky Porsche driver to buy for another $10,000. They are probably making a good buck doing after warranty replacements on their faulty design.

The dealers source them from Porsche Germany. They are essentially new engines, with the reuse of some external parts, like injectors, intake and exhaust. Those parts are remanunfactured.