Intermix Engine Issue???

[Shape]

Hi,

I bought a used Porsche Boxster S 2000 with 158 000Km (around 100k miles). I replaced RMS, IMS, oil change and spark plug. I did only 100km (60 miles) with the car and I noticed the coolant light flashes, I pull over and I top off coolant. I did only 10 miles again and the coolant drop again but the light did not come on. I looked at my coolant and I have oil inside. I read a lot of all the forums and in my Pelican books before bringing the car to a mechanic. He put the car on the computer and did a few test below

Porsche Boxster S 2000
Km= 158 592
HR=2992  58.4km/h OK
Check coolant leak + Oil in Coolant tank
Check Computer
Cut ignition one by one = OK
Misfire = OK
Pressure tank test = OK
Compression test1=140.2, 2=145, 3=145.4, 4=145.5, 5=145, 6=145
Remove oil filter and check for particles= Aluminium (few) particles in oil + Coolant in oil

I called a few Porsche Specialist and everybody is telling me a different story. I compiled the data and most of them are telling me to look first at

1) Oil cooler
2) Head gasket
3) Head cracked
4) Cylinder liner cracked or slipped
5) Block cracked

I do not want to open it for nothing if the engine is totaled. I prefer to swap the engine...

a) Can I have a cylinder liner or block cracked with the compression test above and without any misfire?

b) Some people told me that it's normal to have a few (4-5) aluminium particles in the oil filter but should not be like a scoop...?

Any thoughts...

Thanks in advance for your help...

[BYprodriver]

A=maybe but it won't last long.

B= true as long as they are very small & aluminum not iron, use a magnet to be sure.


Most common thing that happens is: engine runs hot & a head cracks. Does the engine have a new water pump? You should have the cooling system pressure tested to find where the coolant is leaking, if it's not obvious it may be internal to the engine.

Search the forum for more info & read all you can.

[Jamesp]

Your best case is the oil cooler, which is possible. That's a spot where the oil and coolant can mix. Much more likely is a cracked head. You can figure out which one by removing the spark plugs and finding the clean one. You'll need to remove that head, and send the head to a shop to repair the crack. That's frequently a problem with your engine.

[Jamesp]

And if you remove the head with a clean plug, you'll know if you have a different failure. e.g. d chunk failure.

[Shape]

Thank you BYprovider

It's aluminium we took a magnet. Somebody told me it came from the liner or cylinder but other told me I should not worry with a few particles.

The water pump it seems original and my plan is to change it also. I pressurized the coolant system and there is no leak at all. I am reading all I can and I am trying to run out the oul cooler first

Thank you James P. All the spark plugs are new only 100km, they just look all the same to us, no difference. We will runout the oil cooler. Also, I read that is quietly impossible to blow a head gasket but other people told me that it happens frequently. I do not know at the end who I should believe. The best bet would be to open the heads after the runout of the oil cooler

[Timco]

Head gasket is least likely.

[Jake Raby]

Its a 2000. It has a cracked head.

I'll bet you a 100 dollar bill on it.

[Jamesp]

Originally Posted by Shape

I do not know at the end who I should believe.

Believe Jake Raby.

[Shape]

Originally Posted by Jamesp

Believe Jake Raby.

Thank you Timco and Jake.

Jake,

If the spark plugs are new only 100km, I will not be able to see a clean plug.

1) Should I run a leak down test or it will not show anything for a cracked head?

2) Should I have only one head cracked or both heads can be cracked?

3) I heard to diagnostic a cracked head is with blue penetrant liquid with compressed air, one people told me about laser, I never heard of that...

Thanks for all your help guys

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Shape

Thank you Timco and Jake.

Jake,

If the spark plugs are new only 100km, I will not be able to see a clean plug.

1) Should I run a leak down test or it will not show anything for a cracked head?

2) Should I have only one head cracked or both heads can be cracked?

3) I heard to diagnostic a cracked head is with blue penetrant liquid with compressed air, one people told me about laser, I never heard of that...

Thanks for all your help guys

Shape, the 2000-2001 heads are a thin casting & crack easily. Cracks may not leak until heated to operating temperature. Both can be cracked so you should remove engine then remove heads, have any cracks repaired,& insure there are no foreign particles blocking coolant passages in the heads. My 2000 did this @ 85,000 miles after water pump failure.