My engine died... not from an IMS failure

[Retroman1969]

Originally Posted by thstone

Swap in a replacement donor engine. I got mine from a salvage yard for $1800 with 90K miles.

Buy the 2.7 with the link from above (+$200 shipping). Then pay $2K to have it installed ($1200 to r/r the engine + $800 for a major service and miscellaneous) and you're back on the road for $4200.

Half the price of a rebuild.

That's about the quote I got from my Porsche shop to replace an engine with a lower-mileage used one should I ever need to, so I know it can be done.

[Hogosha]

For $25.00 9 pretty cheap for piece of mind), you could also send an oil sample to Blackstone, to see whats what.

[fab986]

Thank you all for the good advice. Here's some update.

I went back to the shop this morning. The shop owner didn't take the engine apart because it would take another 25hrs worth of labor just to find out what the extent of the damage is. He told me that the problem was probably caused by a failing VarioCam tensioner which caused cylinder 4, 5, and 6 to get out of timing and most likely bent some valves... or more. Total cost estimate for repair the engine (assuming only the valves were damaged) is around $8,000 (parts and labor).

I then went to the 2nd Porsche independent shop to get a rough estimate for an engine swap. Obviously, he couldn't give me an exact number until he finds an engine but he said it'll probably cost between $8,000 and $10,000.

I called a local Porsche dismantler, he told me that he won't pay more than $2,000 for the car as is. If I decide to buy a 3.2L engine from him it'll cost me around $6,000 which is in line with what the 2nd shop owner told me earlier.

I think the best course of action for me at this point is to tow the car back to my house and take some time to think about it. One thing for sure is no matter which way I go I'm gonna be losing a lot of money. I seriously doubt anyone would be interested in buying a 2001 Boxster S roller for more than $3k-$4k even if the car looks amazingly good cosmetically.

[woodsman]

Originally Posted by fab986

Thank you all for the good advice. Here's some update.

... told me that the problem was probably caused by a failing VarioCam tensioner which caused cylinder 4, 5, and 6 to get out of timing and most likely bent some valves... or more. Total cost estimate for repair the engine (assuming only the valves were damaged) is around $8,000 (parts and labor).

Why so much to pull one head, replace 3 valves , reassemble and time engine?


I think the best course of action for me at this point is to tow the car back to my house and take some time to think about it. One thing for sure is no matter which way I go I'm gonna be losing a lot of money. I seriously doubt anyone would be interested in buying a 2001 Boxster S roller for more than $3k-$4k even if the car looks amazingly good cosmetically.

Exactly my advice- wait, research and then plan an attack! You owe it to yourself to move cautiously. Also, as others have said it can be scoped for little$$$$ before any disassembly. Another way of looking at things as they stand is that your prized Porsche is a bit of a project now and will eventually be driven by you when it's finished (committed).

[jpc763]

fab986 - This is posted on the classified section Currently for sale - ************ ************ ************ ************ ************ ************ ************MB MOTORSPORTS

"2000-2002 Porsche Boxster S newly rebuilt 3.2L engine $5,500"

Assuming that you can get it shipped and installed for $8K, you have a zero mile engine Boxster S for $18K. That is not too bad.

[Pdwight]

Originally Posted by jpc763

fab986 - This is posted on the classified section Currently for sale - ************ ************ ************ ************ ************ ************ ************MB MOTORSPORTS

"2000-2002 Porsche Boxster S newly rebuilt 3.2L engine $5,500"

Assuming that you can get it shipped and installed for $8K, you have a zero mile engine Boxster S for $18K. That is not too bad.

That is what I would do as well.....or try and get that 3.4

[fab986]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

That is what I would do as well.....or try and get that 3.4

Actually thought about it. Since the engine's dead and needs to be replaced why not through in there a better engine? I asked how much more would be to put a 3.4 or 3.6 engine instead but the guy said it'll cost twice as much because those engines are much more expensive and you have to redo the whole harness and reprogram (or replace) the ECU.

[fab986]

Originally Posted by jpc763

fab986 - This is posted on the classified section Currently for sale - ************ ************ ************ ************ ************ ************ ************MB MOTORSPORTS

"2000-2002 Porsche Boxster S newly rebuilt 3.2L engine $5,500"

Assuming that you can get it shipped and installed for $8K, you have a zero mile engine Boxster S for $18K. That is not too bad.

Thanks, I'll look into it.

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by jpc763

fab986 - This is posted on the classified section Currently for sale - ************ ************ ************ ************ ************ ************ ************MB MOTORSPORTS

"2000-2002 Porsche Boxster S newly rebuilt 3.2L engine $5,500"

Assuming that you can get it shipped and installed for $8K, you have a zero mile engine Boxster S for $18K. That is not too bad.

That's a great idea if you have the money to do it. No core exchange either, so you might find a shop that will swap the motors and keep yours for the labor cost.

$2,000 is what I thought Jake would give for a core, just like those guys, especially one that didn't actually blow.

[Gilles]

Hey Fab986,

Why don't yo remove the valve cover to see if you have a broken spring...?
who knows, you may get lucky..

.

[fab986]

Originally Posted by Gilles

Hey Fab986,

Why don't yo remove the valve cover to see if you have a broken spring...?
who knows, you may get lucky..

.

The shop quoted me $3,900 (27 hrs x $145/hr) for taking the engine apart to see what the problem is. He also said that it's not that simple because you need a special tool that cost $15,000 which is why not all shops can do it.
He also said that based on his experience when something like this happens the valves are most likely bent which is another $2,000 in parts to fix the engine.

I haven't really had the time yet to check around and see if I can get a better quote somewhere else. Is there any experienced Porsche mechanics out there on the forum who could tell me if the estimate he gave me sounds reasonable?

[jdlmodelt]

This mechanic is giving you some strange information. A $15,000 tool? Must be gold plated. The tear down time and the hourly rate don't make sense either. If you own a Boxster, you need to either be mechanically inclined or you need to have deep pockets. I say get on youtube and start learning how to work on your car. If you lived near me, I would buy and fix it and then try to talk the wife into keeping it.

Originally Posted by fab986

The shop quoted me $3,900 (27 hrs x $145/hr) for taking the engine apart to see what the problem is. He also said that it's not that simple because you need a special tool that cost $15,000 which is why not all shops can do it.
He also said that based on his experience when something like this happens the valves are most likely bent which is another $2,000 in parts to fix the engine.

I haven't really had the time yet to check around and see if I can get a better quote somewhere else. Is there any experienced Porsche mechanics out there on the forum who could tell me if the estimate he gave me sounds reasonable?

[patssle]

Originally Posted by jpc763

fab986 - This is posted on the classified section Currently for sale - ************ ************ ************ ************ ************ ************ ************MB MOTORSPORTS

"2000-2002 Porsche Boxster S newly rebuilt 3.2L engine $5,500"

Assuming that you can get it shipped and installed for $8K, you have a zero mile engine Boxster S for $18K. That is not too bad.

What brand is that IMS they have listed?

http://www.mbmotorsportsrepair.com/uploads/3/3/7/7/3377303/9402868_orig.jpg

[SoCalBlackbox]

27 hrs seems like a whole bunch to me to me just to take it apart. I would get some more opinions from the forum and hopefully from some others in the Bay area. My sympathies to you. I have a 2000 base and while I love the car the vision of sudden disintegration is not far from my mind when I'm out cavorting.

Rick

[KRAM36]

Pull the spark plug from from cylinder 4, since that's the cylinder the had no compression in your first post and see if it looks something like this.

[fab986]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

Pull the spark plug from from cylinder 4, since that's the cylinder the had no compression in your first post and see if it looks something like this.

While doing the diagnostic the shop removed and replaced all plugs with new plugs to rule-out any problems coming from the plugs. He didn't mentioned any major damages to the plugs except the following in his report: "R&R all spark plugs, found plugs to be carbon tracked"

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by fab986

While doing the diagnostic the shop removed and replaced all plugs with new plugs to rule-out any problems coming from the plugs. He didn't mentioned any major damages to the plugs except the following in his report: "R&R all spark plugs, found plugs to be carbon tracked"

I would say that's somewhat good news. Let healthservices have a crack at it if you have the funds.

BTW: I searched Harbor Freight for borescope and they didn't show one.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

I would say that's somewhat good news. Let healthservices have a crack at it if you have the funds.

BTW: I searched Harbor Freight for borescope and they didn't show one.

Sometimes called an "inspection camera".

http://m.harborfreight.com/digital-inspection-camera-61839.html

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Sometimes called an "inspection camera".

http://m.harborfreight.com/digital-inspection-camera-61839.html

Thanks! Very cool, I want one just to play with it now lol.

[fab986]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

Let healthservices have a crack at it if you have the funds.

Sorry to ask but what is Healthservices (beside the obvious medical term)?