PLEASE HELP WON"T START need to be in NYC ini 2 hrs!!! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

bull27 · 06-06-2006, 08:13 PM

Update: my car was NOT involved in the big accident that took place, they parked it out back. Unfortunately the passenger of the car did lose their life. It was a new Lincoln Town Car, hit a fire hydrant, absolutely shredded through the whole car. The engine was pushed into the back seat with a gapping hole in the floor. Passenger was halfway under the car and halfway in the car. I guess there were three cars damaged that were parked out front waiting for thier service to be done.

The mechanic told me today that there was a spark, so we are thinking it has something to do with the fuel system, possibly a fuel pump? Anyone have any idea how much these are to replace, and if there is anything I should suggest to the mechanic as a possible culprit besides the fuel pump? Thanks for any help

Thumper · 06-07-2006, 06:42 AM

Same problem happened to me. Worked fine one day, wouldn't start the next. It turned out to be a bad fuel pump relay ($20) that caused the fuel pump to burn out ($375) and both had to be replaced (total bill $750).

bull27 · 06-07-2006, 12:44 PM

Thumper, is there any way that relay is the only thing that needs to be replaced? Or if that goes so does the fuel pump? I brought it to a new mechanic, haven't really felt him out yet, but I like to have some ammo if he says that it is one thing, when realistically I have a good idea of what it probably is.

Perfectlap · 06-07-2006, 12:57 PM

did the Check Engine Light come on when she was driving it? If so run out and buy an OBD II scanner from Pep Boys and plug it into the diagnostic port under the dash nearest the driver door (should have purple plastic around the port) to find out the error code.
The scanner will link up with the Boxster's computer and spit out a numeric code.
Log onto Renntech.org and look up the error code. I just went through this whole process that concluded with a new throttle body.

These scanners are good piece of mind so that you aren't wondering whether your non-Porsche tech is bull****************ing you.

I also always check my electrical fuses for the vain hope that the repair is a 50 cent fuse.

Thumper · 06-07-2006, 06:15 PM

Relay's are cheap (less than $20), so I would give that a try first. Be sure to get a genuine Porsche one, as I got one that wasn't and that caused my new pump to go bad. If that doesn't do the trick, then it's probably the fuel pump, but you can check that before replacing, but in order to do it right, you'd need to pull the pump. The ring that screws down to hold the sending unit in place is not much fun to get off if you don't have the right tool to twist it off. Plus, you need to make a mental note on the orientation of the pump in the tank (the round side goes towards the front of the car). The pump unlocks from the tank with a counterclockwise quarter twist. If your tank is even half full of fuel, it makes for a fun job putting your arm down in the tank to twist the pump out.

I replaced the pump myself the first time and had the guys at RUF replace it the second time. It's not a hard job, but it's pretty close quarters and a bit awkward. After I had replaced the pump and the relay and it failed again within two days, I decided that it was time for the pros to take a look at it. The guys at RUF will also run my codes for free (they did today after my CEL light came on due to some bad gas causing a misfire).

bull27 · 06-07-2006, 07:13 PM

Perfectlap- the check engine light had been on before this problem occured, it's been on for a while because of an O2 sensor.

Thumper- I did speak with him again this afternoon and he said that the fuel pump is "stuck" and he can't get it to open or something of that sort. I told him that it could just be the relay(electrical?) and he agreed. He also said that worst case it probably is the fuel pump.

I have been driving my girlfriend to work and haven't had time in the mornings to get over to this place since it had been towed there. I am making my way in there tommorow morning and talk to him face to face, don't like talking about car stuff over the phone. If I get a vibe that he doesn't really know what he is doing, I'll probably get it towed to the regular place I get it serviced, Randolph Racing (Stoughton, MA). The only reason why I had it towed here in the first place is because it was A)close, B)thought it was an easy diagnosis/fix, and C) after speaking with him a couple weeks ago, thought he knew what he was doing

As always thanks for all the helpful insight

bull27 · 06-08-2006, 09:08 PM

Yep, its the fuel pump, not just the relay (of course it's not). I love it when you put her to bed in the garage at night after a fantastic day of driving and next day..............wont start and fuel pump is gone. Seems strange to me but I am not a car nor a mechanic. When I called to check in on the car he says "ya its definately the fuel pump I already ordered one." I say, "how much is this fuel pump you ordered, I can get one overnighted to me for $250?" He says, "um i think around $320." I say, "I really appreciated the call before you made this diagnosis and went ahead and ordered the part."

What are you gonna do i guess, but what is the average time it should take a mechanic to replace a fuel pump??? i can swallow paying a little extra on a part because or mark up, but not labor.........especially if he takes more time because of lack of experience with Porshe's.