Shortlived Boxster engines survey

[kabel]

Haven't we done this already...

Poll: RMS and Engine problem questionaire

[Bobiam]

Originally Posted by kabel

Haven't we done this already...

Poll: RMS and Engine problem questionaire

No....This survey does not relate specificly to an RMS, although if that was the reason for engine failure it would fit here.
The real reason for this survey is to establish some precedence with Porsche in order to exert leverage if we suffer such an engine failure............ and to understand better what is causing these failures resulting in engine replacement.

[kabel]

Ah, well, it may have turned into mostly an RMS specific thread however the thread is titled:

"RMS and Engine problem questionaire" and one of the poll questions is:
Have you experienced an engine failure (yes/no)

There are also threads of this nature on Rennlist and Renntech for anyone that is looking for additional user data with porsche engine failures.

Bobiam, don't take this the wrong way, I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, just hate seeing multiple threads on the same subject.

I keep my fingers crossed and touch wood, my nearly 100k MY99 is doing fine.

[Bobiam]

Originally Posted by kabel

Ah, well, it may have turned into mostly an RMS specific thread however the thread is titled:

"RMS and Engine problem questionaire" and one of the poll questions is:
Have you experienced an engine failure (yes/no)

There are also threads of this nature on Rennlist and Renntech for anyone that is looking for additional user data with porsche engine failures.

Bobiam, don't take this the wrong way, I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, just hate seeing multiple threads on the same subject.

I keep my fingers crossed and touch wood, my nearly 100k MY99 is doing fine.

This thread was created to gather serious and up-to-date information about issues that can cost readers many thousand $s. Perhaps there is some redundancy, but there is little harm in sharing info about major misfortunes to help fellow readers/members. If it doesn't apply to someone, they need not read it.
Bob

[brimech]

Originally Posted by Bobiam

This thread was created to gather serious and up-to-date information about issues that can cost readers many thousand $s. Perhaps there is some redundancy, but there is little harm in sharing info about major misfortunes to help fellow readers/members. If it doesn't apply to someone, they need not read it.
Bob

I agree. Please share your stories.

[easyc]

2001 986S... cracked cylinder sleeve at 78K (out of warranty), while on the track. Engine proceeded to hydro-lock, which caused it to throw a rod and crack two exhaust valves... Car had ~1500 track miles on it since it hit 70K... Had a faint clicking sound under acceleration before the death... It is currently being replaced with a 3.6... estimated cost ?,???.??

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by CJMeredith

This is an unfortunate first post...

I purchased a 2000 Boxster S with 26,000 miles from a local Porsche dealer (Tysons Porsche in Vienna, VA). It was a one owner car and was IMMACULATE (the guy traded it on a 2008 Boxster). After a day and a half and about 200 miles, I discovered oil in the coolant! I was hoping that it was just the oil cooler, but I was pretty sure the engine was dead. I immediately took it back to the dealer service department and they eventually confirmed that it was a catastrophic engine failure, but I never discovered the exact cause.

The dealer stood behind the car and offered me a direct exchange for a 2001 with 28,000 miles and far more options (or a full refund). I walked away VERY happy with the Porsche dealer and service department. I have no idea if the dealer had any recourse with Porsche (or the first owner) since they got stuck with it.

I now find myself regularly peering into the coolant reservoir of the new one...

Chris

I can understand your trepidation. I guess all you can do is make sure you keep the oil and coolant clean.

BTW-If it were me, I would use Red Line oil. It can't hurt.

[Kyle32]

Originally Posted by CJMeredith

I now find myself regularly peering into the coolant reservoir of the new one...

how does one get to the coolant reservoir on a Boxster?

Originally Posted by ghha

I can let fellow sufferers have a copy of the letter, if needed. Can't guarantee you will get same result as each case is treated individually - that's why letter is free!

does someone have the letter?

Originally Posted by Bobiam

I broke down and bought an extended warranty. 3 yrs coverage for$1600 or $1800 (I forget!), but it will let me sleep at night......

where did you buy the insurance from? Your Porsche dealer? So, they still sell warranties for let's say a 2002 Boxster? What does the warranty cover?

That would be something to consider.
At the same time, this should give us the worst scenario odds of an engine failure, assuming that Porsche doesn't lose money on those plans.

[Mcassola]

For what it's worth..I purchased a 1997 model with 19k on it about 4 years ago and blew an engine at about 37k. I'm pretty sure it was the sleeve issue as opposed the shaft going bad. Anyway, thank God I purchased an extended warranty through the local porsche dealer (Tech Serve Tech 4 policy) for about $2.7k that pretty much covered everything on the car except the convertible top.

The extended warranty paid the roughly $15k for the new engine after their inspector came out to look at the engine a few times to make sure i was not flogging the hell out of it....or an accidental mechanical over-rev.

[B]My point is this: Do not even think about buying/owning any German car (i.e., BMW, Audi, VW or Porsche) unless it is under warranty. I have bought several of these cars in my lifetime and the extended warranty has always paid for itself many times over. Spend the extra money and get the warranty....you will sleep better at night knowing that if something goes wrong, it's going to cost you NO more than the $100 deductible and that's it. These warranties are also transferrable to a new owner when you go to sell it. The new owner can buy the car worry free. You may also cancel the warranty and the company will send you a pro-rated refund based on time and miles left.

Happy safe motoring to everyone who reads this.

MRC

[Bobiam]

I'm a firm NON-believer re extended warrantees, but this engine failure thing scares me and reviewing available warrantees may be worth my time. I believe in self-insuring for such things but with an '01 car, a replacement engine is over half the value of my car! I can't find the one that was refered to by the above member. More info please.

Bob

[Cloudsurfer]

Anyone have any first hand knowledge of LN Engineering? Their prices for a rebuild (which should be better than factory, hypothetically) are certainly attractive.

Patrick

[Bob O]

LN's prices ARE attractive. But read their warranty and disclaimer (link on the bottom of the page)

"The products sold by LN Engineering are designed primarily for off highway use. Check State and Federal laws and emission regulations. Not legal for sale or use on pollution controlled vehicles."

Wonder why that's the case?

Bob

[ghha]

18 months ago - had no problems since touch wood. I was very non-confrontational in my approach (after all, I had everything to gain and they had absolutely no obligation to me) and basically leaned on their desire to preserve their reputation....my wife wanted to kick butt but I persuaded her to let the letter do its work. I was told that my patient approach was what won them over.....unusual for me, as I am the proverbial bull in the china shop...

[johnsimion]

Take a look at Consumer Reports guide, "Best and Worst of 2009 Cars", now on newstands. They rate reliability of cars in numerous categories based on owner surveys of their membership. If they don't receive enough surveys, they simply won't give a rating. Their major engine repairs category is the one that would apply if there was a blown engine. The Boxster has ratings for almost all years from 1999 to 2008. It is rated "Much Better Than Average" reliability for major engine repairs for 1999 and 2001, and "Better Than Average" for 2000. I forgot the other years' ratings but none were worse than average. Overall the Boxster is rated as highly reliable across all categories in all years.

I do think that if the readers of Consumers Reports were having a statistically significant problem with blown engines, the magazine would be raising a huge outcry about it.

If I understand things right, there have been something like 200,000 Boxsters produced. If 3% of them had a blown engine, that would be 6000 blown engines. It seems like there are a lot of reports of blown engines in these pages and in other forums -- but nothing remotely approaching even a couple of hundred.

Let's assume for the sake of argument that there are 200 reports of blown engines on the various forums here and elsewhere (which is probably an exaggeration). Let's also assume that that number represents only 10% of the actual number of blown engines (which is also an exaggeration, because most likely anyone who has a Boxster is an enthusiast who reads these forums and will raise h3ll about it). Nevertheless, using those assumptions we can hazard a guess that there have been no more than about 2000 blown engines. That figure would then represent about 1% of the total production.

Most of us would be prepared to accept a 99% reliable car that is rated "Much Better Than Average" in the Major Engine category from Consumer Reports.

God, I hope I'm right . . .

[Bobiam]

Originally Posted by johnsimion

Take a look at Consumer Reports guide, "Best and Worst of 2009 Cars", now on newstands. They rate reliability of cars in numerous categories based on owner surveys of their membership. If they don't receive enough surveys, they simply won't give a rating. Their major engine repairs category is the one that would apply if there was a blown engine. The Boxster has ratings for almost all years from 1999 to 2008. It is rated "Much Better Than Average" reliability for major engine repairs for 1999 and 2001, and "Better Than Average" for 2000. I forgot the other years' ratings but none were worse than average. Overall the Boxster is rated as highly reliable across all categories in all years.

I do think that if the readers of Consumers Reports were having a statistically significant problem with blown engines, the magazine would be raising a huge outcry about it.

If I understand things right, there have been something like 200,000 Boxsters produced. If 3% of them had a blown engine, that would be 6000 blown engines. It seems like there are a lot of reports of blown engines in these pages and in other forums -- but nothing remotely approaching even a couple of hundred.

Let's assume for the sake of argument that there are 200 reports of blown engines on the various forums here and elsewhere (which is probably an exaggeration). Let's also assume that that number represents only 10% of the actual number of blown engines (which is also an exaggeration, because most likely anyone who has a Boxster is an enthusiast who reads these forums and will raise h3ll about it). Nevertheless, using those assumptions we can hazard a guess that there have been no more than about 2000 blown engines. That figure would then represent about 1% of the total production.

Most of us would be prepared to accept a 99% reliable car that is rated "Much Better Than Average" in the Major Engine category from Consumer Reports.

God, I hope I'm right . . .

But, as you and CU stated, these ratings are based on recent model years. Most of the major complaints are for late 90s and early 2000s cars.......which make up a lot of this forun's readership. And for those folks with a recent model failure, most have a warrantee........so they are inconvenienced but get a new engine paid for by Porsche.
I'm sure that Porsche has corrected the deficiencies that cause blown engines, but we'd like to have them accept responsibility for the massive failures that older Porsche owners are experiencing at almost any milage. We can't afford to spend $10K or so on the low milage creampuff that we have cared for that is now only worth $20-30K.