02' engine blown!

[victoreric]

I was driving casually in rush hour traffic and my boxster stalls on me. I go it towed to an independent Porsche mechanic and they did a compression test and said that the engine is toast! Of course, the surprise big ticket quote was just icing on the cake.

I thought this engine problem was reserved more for the older boxsters. Has anyone with an 02' or newer experienced this problem? Any thoughts on whether to go with a new engine or try to source a used one? Does anyone know where to look for another engine?

This is the worst news ever! And I was just starting to love my boxster! Sigh...

[Lil bastard]

I am so sorry for you! Sounds like classic IMS failure.

Not to pour salt into the wound, but the mid-generation 986s and 987s are more prone to this failure than the early cars due to a redesign of the intermediate shaft.

You can now look to a 3.4L or 3.6L replacement. There's also a company in the UK which has a permanent fix to the problem and this may also be an option being a commonwealth country and all. See: http://www.autofarm.co.uk/index . Good Luck!

[blinkwatt]

I'm curious to find out the cause of the engine replacement.....

[victoreric]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

I am so sorry for you! Sounds like classic IMS failure.

Not to pour salt into the wound, but the mid-generation 986s and 987s are more prone to this failure than the early cars due to a redesign of the intermediate shaft.

You can now look to a 3.4L or 3.6L replacement. There's also a company in the UK which has a permanent fix to the problem and this may also be an option being a commonwealth country and all. See: http://www.autofarm.co.uk/index . Good Luck!

I can find anything on that webpage. It keeps on going back to the home page. What kind of fix do they have.

Also, does anyone know what's involved in putting a 3.4 or 3.6 replacement? Is it a straightforward drop-in? Or do I have to replace other components like the ECU? How about the transmission, can it support the larger displacement?

Any help would be appreciated.

[easyc]

Im curious to what happened too... Hows your coolant look? Oil? any Leaks? Will it start in Flood mode? Id say first step is to take the car to a second opinion. Also you can get a remanufactured Engine from Porsche in the sevens if you find a good dealer... the labor shouldnt cost you more than 2000, but more like 1500...

3.4 is basically a direct swap. The 3.6... not so much, although Im doing one right now. Its the swap were your 02 will need an upgrade to the 7.8... check out renntech.org for more info.

[victoreric]

Originally Posted by easyc

Im curious to what happened too... Hows your coolant look? Oil? any Leaks? Will it start in Flood mode? Id say first step is to take the car to a second opinion. Also you can get a remanufactured Engine from Porsche in the sevens if you find a good dealer... the labor shouldnt cost you more than 2000, but more like 1500...

3.4 is basically a direct swap. The 3.6... not so much, although Im doing one right now. Its the swap were your 02 will need an upgrade to the 7.8... check out renntech.org for more info.

I did a search on renntech. Sounds like a lot of people are taking the engine from a 996 instead of the boxster. Is this what you meant? I was thinking of maybe taking a Boxster S engine. Anyone know which one would be easier? Pros/cons?

[dcporsche99]

Sorry to hear about the news....

I have a DIY for a 3.4 that might interest you. Unfortunately, it's too big to download as an attachment. I picked it up a while back from renntech for my future mod in the event that this happens to me. But, if you give me your email address I will send it to you or you can go to the renntech website and download it for yourself. Let me know.

Good luck with that and keep us posted!

[saaber]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

See: http://www.autofarm.co.uk/index . Good Luck!

Thanks for posting that autofarm link. Why don't they have shops like that in the US? Not only did they eliminate all the weak points of the engine, they can bore out a 3.2l S engine to 3.7 liters! Very cool. I wonder what hp that 3.7l would have? http://www.autofarm.co.uk/engines/water_cooled/capacity

[saaber]

Intersting article on engine failures

http://www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/Total911_July06.pdf

and another from Renntech:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=3224