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Old 03-02-2018, 06:53 AM   #1
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Brian: all fluid levels were fine. Car ran started fine, no issues. Nothing out of the ordinary that would have caused me any alarm. I was able to source a 2.5L w/84K for $2,900. Not sure if remove/replace is in my skill set. I've pulled the engine on my 66 912 several times, but the 986 just looks scary. With help, I could do it. My only other concern would be getting the electronics to talk to the engine. My knowledge of DC voltage stops at the on/off switch.
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Old 03-02-2018, 07:22 AM   #2
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Brian: all fluid levels were fine. Car ran started fine, no issues. Nothing out of the ordinary that would have caused me any alarm. I was able to source a 2.5L w/84K for $2,900. Not sure if remove/replace is in my skill set. I've pulled the engine on my 66 912 several times, but the 986 just looks scary. With help, I could do it. My only other concern would be getting the electronics to talk to the engine. My knowledge of DC voltage stops at the on/off switch.
It sounds like it's in your skill set. I put an engine with 02, manual transmission wiring and vacuum lines in my 01 with tiptronic. Required removing the wiring from the old engine and putting it on the replacement--no fancy electronic knowledge needed, and vacuum isn't that different. I'm retired and I took my time, taking notes as you work is imperative because it pretty much must be reinstalled in the same order you took it our. Everything can be done by a 66 year old man with arthritic shoulders and neck.

My replacement engine is a used factory re-manufactured engine with an updated IMS bearing--shipped from LA to Tucson, it was about $2500 total.

I used an air jack, taller jackstands, and a cherry picker to lower the engine and trannie to an enlarged furniture dolly. I have a Hitachi 18v cordless impact that helped a lot and a set of ratcheting box end wrenches. I also have an air impact. The common socket sizes are 10, 13, & 15 mm, and whatever the axle nuts & pulley nuts are.

My "while I have it out" list include motor mount, new tubes & spark plugs, rear main seal, front main seal, water pump, underdrive pulley, & new belt. Spin on oil filter & magnetic plug. You might also consider a replacement IMS bearing which can be done from the rear outside of the engine. And I cleaned, greased, and installed new cv boots.

I am enjoying the sense of accomplishment and the pride of "I made this" ownership.

Everything you might need to know is available by search. LMK, I'd be willing to mentor if you like.:dance:
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Old 03-02-2018, 07:37 AM   #3
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You've inspired me. I am 62, not retired (I do not have permission from my wife yet). I have all the requisite tools, less taller jack stands but I can make something tall and stable enough. My current motor has 171+k miles on it, so it probably is tired. I don't want to let go of this car, so I might give it a whirl. There is more than likely enough folks here that can bail me out via this forum if I find my self in trouble. I became one with my 912 the first time I did a complete rebuild on its motor, so why not have the same experience with this one. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going for it. BTW where did you source your engine from?
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Old 03-02-2018, 08:05 AM   #4
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Before tracking down a replacement engine, are you sure your current motor is really toast? There have been plenty of instances where the mechanic said to replace when all that was needed was an AOS. Think I'd be absolutely, positively sure before dropping a bunch of money on something you might not need.

2nd, if you do need to replace the motor, the Bentley manual has plenty of info on how to remove / replace an engine.

3rd, is there a back story to your current engine? Were there issues when you replaced your IMS, like possible metal shavings floating around? I don't have the best memory anymore, but seem to recall something like this with a member a few yrs back. Would be good info for the community.
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Old 03-02-2018, 08:23 AM   #5
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Before tracking down a replacement engine, are you sure your current motor is really toast? There have been plenty of instances where the mechanic said to replace when all that was needed was an AOS. Think I'd be absolutely, positively sure before dropping a bunch of money on something you might not need.

2nd, if you do need to replace the motor, the Bentley manual has plenty of info on how to remove / replace an engine.

3rd, is there a back story to your current engine? Were there issues when you replaced your IMS, like possible metal shavings floating around? I don't have the best memory anymore, but seem to recall something like this with a member a few yrs back. Would be good info for the community.
Good sentiment. But his engine does have 171k miles or so--which is like 500,000 in Toyota miles. Or 250,000 in 96 Dodge Dakota miles. Probably past it's pull date.
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Old 03-02-2018, 09:29 AM   #6
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Good sentiment. But his engine does have 171k miles or so--which is like 500,000 in Toyota miles. Or 250,000 in 96 Dodge Dakota miles. Probably past it's pull date.
Guess I missed that leading 1.
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Old 03-02-2018, 09:47 AM   #7
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How inspired can you get?

You did pretty well at 170k+ miles. And it may not be a toasted motor but something that could be fixed
But spending $$$ on a 18-19 year old 170k+ mile motor doesn't make much sense either

So it just hit me , you replaced the IMSB at 161k miles. How much did that cost?
At what point mileage wise(110k, 120k) is it just not worth replacing the bearing. I would think at 161k it's not worth disturbing it especially since it is a dual row bearing
If it was my car I would want to know it wasn't the replacement IMSB after 10k miles
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Old 03-02-2018, 09:26 PM   #8
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Before tracking down a replacement engine, are you sure your current motor is really toast? There have been plenty of instances where the mechanic said to replace when all that was needed was an AOS. Think I'd be absolutely, positively sure before dropping a bunch of money on something you might not need.

2nd, if you do need to replace the motor, the Bentley manual has plenty of info on how to remove / replace an engine.

3rd, is there a back story to your current engine? Were there issues when you replaced your IMS, like possible metal shavings floating around? I don't have the best memory anymore, but seem to recall something like this with a member a few yrs back. Would be good info for the community.
Regarding the IMS replacement, I had it done at 163K miles while the clutch was being replaced. Did not have a thorough history of the car so I took the safe route.
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Old 03-02-2018, 08:13 AM   #9
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You've inspired me. I am 62, not retired (I do not have permission from my wife yet). I have all the requisite tools, less taller jack stands but I can make something tall and stable enough. My current motor has 171+k miles on it, so it probably is tired. I don't want to let go of this car, so I might give it a whirl. There is more than likely enough folks here that can bail me out via this forum if I find my self in trouble. I became one with my 912 the first time I did a complete rebuild on its motor, so why not have the same experience with this one. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going for it. BTW where did you source your engine from?
Good! I did mine completely by myself, btw, no one helped me.

Here's the source of my engine. My experience with him (so far) is that he's pretty much on the up & up. I got a used top (w/ frame) from him, too. I picked mine up at the Fedex LTL dock so it was pretty reasonable shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-Boxster-986-1997-99-2-5L-Complete-Engine-Motor-70k-Leakdown-Tested-4-6/152824845989?fits=Make%3APorsche&hash=item23951216a5:g:7~cAAOSw7z1aL0H-

BTW, the air jack & the tall jackstands (6 ton) are available at Harbor Freight and are definitely worth having.
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Old 03-02-2018, 09:30 PM   #10
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Good! I did mine completely by myself, btw, no one helped me.

Here's the source of my engine. My experience with him (so far) is that he's pretty much on the up & up. I got a used top (w/ frame) from him, too. I picked mine up at the Fedex LTL dock so it was pretty reasonable shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-Boxster-986-1997-99-2-5L-Complete-Engine-Motor-70k-Leakdown-Tested-4-6/152824845989?fits=Make%3APorsche&hash=item23951216a5:g:7~cAAOSw7z1aL0H-

BTW, the air jack & the tall jackstands (6 ton) are available at Harbor Freight and are definitely worth having.
This is the exact engine I am currently looking at if in fact my motor is toast. The only issue with this one is it still has the original IMS. If I do get this engine, I will replace the IMS.
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Old 03-07-2018, 09:12 AM   #11
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This is the exact engine I am currently looking at if in fact my motor is toast. The only issue with this one is it still has the original IMS. If I do get this engine, I will replace the IMS.
He's done right by me.

Did you find anything about your old engine? A blasted AOS wouldn't provide enough oil to hydrolock the engine while it was running down the road--and there would be a huge cloud of smoke out the tail pipe.
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Old 03-02-2018, 09:00 AM   #12
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My current motor has 171+k miles on it...
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