2003 Boxster S - prevent IMS failure?

[Cloudsurfer]

I certainly would not say your car is not going to depreciate, however, is your $15k Boxster depreciating less than a new car, whatever it happens to be- absolutely.

In terms of the motor swaps, I don't think you can do a 3.8 for $15k, but you can definitely do a 3.6 for that. I myself am throwing the idea around of a 3.6 swap into my S while my 3.2 is still good and worth something on the parts market. If you do all your own work, and find a 3.6 for between $6k-$9k, the whole thing can be done for under $12k. However, once you do a motor swap, don't expect to get the full value out of your upgrades back when you sell it, unless you find the very rare buyer who wants exactly what you have and is willing to pay a premium for it.

Patrick

[Brucelee]

I believe that the larger Boxer engines have the IMS issue as well but am not sur of it.

The 3.4 motor from the 1999-2000 certainly did.

[blinkwatt]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I believe that the larger Boxer engines have the IMS issue as well but am not sur of it.

The 3.4 motor from the 1999-2000 certainly did.

The early 3.4L 996 motor had/has cracked sleeve issues like on the 2.5L 986 engine.

The later model 3.4L & 3.6L 996 engine suffer from IMS failures. 3.2L,3.4L & 3.6L engines all seem more prone to IMS failures compared to the 2.7L engine.

[Frodo]

When I’ve talked about the possibility of catastrophic engine failure in the Boxster (ie IMS failure), my kid (a 20 year-old budding shade tree mechanic) asks me why I don’t I just get an aftermarket oil pressure gauge. Apparently they will give you clear and immediate notice if your pressure drops. The one he put in his Celica can be set to a pressure below which it will display a visible flashing red light PLUS a “horribly annoying” (as he puts it) audible alarm. Assuming one is paying attention and shuts down the engine quickly on a precipitous oil pressure drop, might this not convert a complete engine failure to a much less costly (and relatively simple-to-fix) IMS failure?

[Tool Pants]

If the intermediate shaft bearing(s) are about to fail or have failed, cannot be detected with an oil pressure gauge.

Your son is talking about normal crankshaft shell bearings and those type of bearings are nothing like the ball roller bearings on the end of the intermediate shaft of the Boxster flat 6 engine.

Your son is smart but this is a flat engine with an intermediate shaft inside the case.