Seller says engine has valve problems on right side. Buy or don't buy?

[jccash]

Do you know the repair estimate?


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[dimitri]

Originally Posted by jccash

Do you know the repair estimate?

No, not at all. I haven’t seen the car, just called the guy. It has 120,000km on it. Selling for only $3,000

I am undecided if I should go and see the car or not. It seems like an opportunity, I can deal with replacing the IMS bearing, but not if it potentially damaged the engine. But the guy did it runs....

[911monty]

Most likely a timing issue. Unfortunately the cams probably lost time with the crank, valves collided with the pistons and boom. IF the car is in decent shape, you can find a motor and replace yourself, then it might be a good deal. I don't know anyone who bought their Boxster to go slow though.......

[jvfante]

A used engine is going to cost you roughly $2k - 3k. That's 6k total. Why not look for a good running Box for $6k? You'll be much better served as a bad engine may mask a host of other issues. Just sayin....

[BoxsterSteve]

Walk away.
Too many good ones for sale to purposely pursue a potential money pit.
After all, you want to drive it instead of getting pissed off fixing it.

[dimitri]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Most likely a timing issue. Unfortunately the cams probably lost time with the crank, valves collided with the pistons and boom. IF the car is in decent shape, you can find a motor and replace yourself, then it might be a good deal. I don't know anyone who bought their Boxster to go slow though.......

Why you say “and boom”? The engine still runs.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by dimitri

Why you say “and boom”? The engine still runs.

I would suggest the "and boom" to which he is referring is the focked up noise the lifters now are making. Yeah. That "boom.

[Porsche-Eh]

A $3K 2002 Boxster S: buy, buy, buy! The parts alone are worth 2.5x that. DME/ECU & immobilizer with keys: $500; tires and rims: $500-$1000 (depends on shape and size); seats: $500; complete dash: $200; cluster: $200, radio: $100; airbags: $200; steering wheel: $100; each complete door: $500; hood: $300; trunk: $200; crapped out engine: $300; good tranny: $750; suspension bits: $500-$750; S brakes (S calipers): $500; complete roof: $500; good headlights: $500 pair; good taillights: $300 pair; other lights: $100; other odds and ends: $500. TOTAL parting out: $7000-$9000.

I guess I'm one of those few individuals who prefer the cheaper the better, the more problems the better and the more troubleshooting the better.

Why you might ask? For me, I like problem solving and taking something no-one else wanted and bringing it back to life. I've done this with my past 5 cars and have not been burned (i.e., lost money) on any of them. Of course, I do my own work and don't count my labour, which I assign a value of zero. I purchased my current '99 986 for $3500 Canadian (5 speed, with 100K miles/160K kms). It runs great! It just needed a new immo&dme.

BUY BUY BUY or PM me with the details so I can buy it.

[911monty]

Originally Posted by dimitri

Why you say “and boom”? The engine still runs.

Only runs on one half. The other half looks similar to this........when forged aluminum and hardened stainless attempt to occupy the same space....BOOM... Blowed Up!

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Most likely a timing issue. Unfortunately the cams probably lost time with the crank, valves collided with the pistons and boom. IF the car is in decent shape, you can find a motor and replace yourself, then it might be a good deal. I don't know anyone who bought their Boxster to go slow though.......

I'm guessing a cam drive chain jumped a tooth or 2 & the pistons kissed the valves enough to bend them enough to prevent them from sealing. Loss of compression in the cylinders due to the leaking can easily be heard with engine running & engine still runs with big power loss. If seller would make video with sound of engine running it would help evaluate extent of damage.

[bwdz]

If you are mechanical and don't mind fiddling with it or parting it out if it looks like too much just go for it. One caveat is that the car must be in great shape other than the engine problem, parts that are worn don't sell at all and sinking money into fixing the engine will eat up the budget to fix everything else if anything is broken or in bad shape. Any car that age will need some things replaced no matter who owned it but clean cars are the only ones with any value any more.

[dimitri]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

I'm guessing a cam drive chain jumped a tooth or 2 & the pistons kissed the valves enough to bend them enough to prevent them from sealing. Loss of compression in the cylinders due to the leaking can easily be heard with engine running & engine still runs with big power loss. If seller would make video with sound of engine running it would help evaluate extent of damage.

Thank you for this answer. I am of the same opinion like you. Why do you think the cam drive chain jumped a tooth, broken tensioner?