Boxster s 2003 engine issue - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Wonder if any body could help Went for a drive last night, nice sunny evening not going mad but fairly brisk on some quiet a roads and a 10 run up a dual carriageway. Car was feeling nice. I was going down a road and changed from 3 to 4 and then no power. Engine check light came on and the engine sounded really rough and felt like it had about 50 hp. I mused it about 2 miles then it stopped and would not start. No evidence of loss of oil but did not notice smoke as it was dark.i had roof down and thought if it had blown up, I would have smelt it ?? Anyway, when I turned it over it sounded very odd, almost as if it was turning over quicker , very different noise almost like there was a spark plug or two missing. Help!!???'!!!

Dreaded IMS?

Faster cranking speed can be the result of a loss of compression. I would get it checked out asap and not attempt to start it again.

I won't try to start it again. Thank you for replies. The oil is normal level and still got coolant. It was absolutely fine one second and then not the next

If it sounded like ball bearings in a tin, then its likely the IMS.

The above sondes about right, although more like a fabric lined tin. Not promising at all them

Sorry mate, thats a s tter. Get it to a good specialist for a look at. Hartech are the daddies of course, but you are not far off Sports and Classic at Knutsford.

Thanks mtr. I think hartech are busy until at least July. If it is the Ims, what will be likely cost of repair?

pit5top said: Thanks mtr. I think hartech are busy until at least July. If it is the Ims, what will be likely cost of repair? Circa 4-5k from what I remember reading....Link has all options... (d) Typical bottom end rebuilt for exchange as above but also having one liner replaced, Boxsters around £2300, 911’s (including the other 5 bores re-rounded with support rings), around £2600. (e) Engine exchange (not removed, fitted or running) Full rebuild for Boxsters (including new intermediate shaft bearing and spindle, chains, gaskets , seals de-coked etc) around £3500, 911’s (as Boxsters but also including re-rounded bores and support rings) around £3900. (f) As (e) above exchange engine (not removed, fitted or running) but including a replaced cylinder liner, Boxsters around £3950, 911’s (including the other 5 http://www.hartech.org/docs/buyers%20guide%20web%2... Edited by jamesogt on Tuesday 20th May 10:30 Edited by jamesogt on Tuesday 20th May 10:33

Probably just worth selling as a non runner or for parts then. Real pity as we had just put mo30 kit on and new performance friction bell mounted brakes.

pit5top said: Probably just worth selling as a non runner or for parts then. Real pity as we had just put mo30 kit on and new performance friction bell mounted brakes. What year is it? As you say, its probably written it off, but keep all of your options open. What about a secondhand engine? Damn Porsche for this! Its really frustrates me and I don't own one!

2003 53 reg, done 51000 mikes Would be good if av911 engine would fit!!

pit5top said: 2003 53 reg, done 51000 mikes Would be good if av911 engine would fit!! Ok, so a late 986. Not an easy decision. A 996 engine will fit of course, but it makes little sense.

Is the 996 engine option expensive? What are advantages and disadvantages? Should dies it??!! Does sound fun pro Ido g I would be getting more reliability

Its basically the same M96 engine with all of the same risks.

I hadn't realised they were all so fragile. Are 997 engines weak as well?

An engine seems to be around the £2.5k mark http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=986+boxster... not sure how much to fit

pit5top said: 2003 53 reg, done 51000 mikes Would be good if av911 engine would fit!! I hope it's not considered terminal. My 'S' is the same reg with 85k on it. Had minor service 500 miles ago. Hoping I'm not on borrowed time.

This is a story from 2006.... http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/20/porsche-produce... 200,000 Boxster up till then, I'm guessing most of which, with this potential IMS issue. Of course being PH'ers we hear about more IMS issues than most, but I wonder how many have gone out of that figure?

Wow soooooo much IMS paranoia here it's a wonder some folk even put the key in the ignition just in case of catastrophic engine failure which will also probably lead to a fire, burn your house down and kill all the neighbours. At least let the guy visit a mechanic before we write his car off. I know it doesn't sound good but there are loads of other less terminal posibilities. My boxster started to sound very sick and went very lumpy with lots of warning lights on my last track day. Instead of taking it to the breakers yard a visit to a specialist diagnosed a badly fitted manifold, so fingers crossed for you matey it's not the dreaded IMS

pit5top said: Wonder if any body could help Went for a drive last night, nice sunny evening not going mad but fairly brisk on some quiet a roads and a 10 run up a dual carriageway. Car was feeling nice. I was going down a road and changed from 3 to 4 and then no power. Engine check light came on and the engine sounded really rough and felt like it had about 50 hp. I mused it about 2 miles then it stopped and would not start. No evidence of loss of oil but did not notice smoke as it was dark.i had roof down and thought if it had blown up, I would have smelt it ?? Anyway, when I turned it over it sounded very odd, almost as if it was turning over quicker , very different noise almost like there was a spark plug or two missing. Help!!???'!!! Before you get your knickers in a knot have a tech check out the car. The symptoms while on the surface sound sinister it could be something as simple as a failed fuel pump. The engine seems to crank as if it has no spark plugs installed or has somehow lost compression only because it cranks longer as it does not fire and run. We normally do not get to experience the longer cranking as the engine fires right up. If he finds the fuel pump have 12 volt power, and the relay is good -- he'll use a bypass relay -- and the pump runs, then he'll check for other possible explanations. It might be he will remove the oil filter housing and check for bits in the oil and filter element. He'll inspect various areas looking for telltale signs of something major internal to the engine having failed. He'll pull the error codes and go over these with you. So hold off shoveling dirt over the car for now. Get a professional's diagnosis as to what's wrong.

Pit5top....YHM

Just had this on my 996 - failed coil packs taking in water apparently. Annoying but not too concerning thankfully