Question on Boxster Common Engine Failures

Hi - I would really appreciate your help. I have a 2003 C4S with 80,000 miles, and it is great. However one problem that has recently started involves getting past 4000 RPM in any gear. Once you hit this 4000 RPM, there was a judder, like a mifuel, and the revs became jumpy and indeed stopped accelerating. Coils changed, same thing happens. Fault codes said crankshaft sensor and cylinder 2 electrical short to ground. Sensors replaced, plugs replaced - all running great - for 1 month. Now starting to happen again; yesterday it "hesitated" at around 4000 RPM; no reaction, then later on same again then CEL is illuminated and power is lost. Turn on / off and drives fine but with CEL still on. Dealer said no error codes logged. Suggestions of variocam actuators? any other ideas? Thanks Jason

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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Common Boxster Engine Problems and Failures - 986 / 987

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

if the check engine light is On, there will be fault codes stored.

I would start by checking the DME for fault codes. If the system is not working properly, a fault code will be set. This will be your best bet when diagnosing.

The electrical circuit codes you had in the past may point you to the root of the problem. The wiring harness may be damaged or shorted.

- Nick

I am about to Replace the waterpump on My 2001 Boxter .What , or how,do I bleed the system? Thanks Joseph

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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Common Boxster Engine Problems and Failures - 986 / 987

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

Use this tech article to help you drain, fill and bleed your cooling system: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/29-WATER-Flush/29-WATER-Flush.htm- Nick at Pelican Parts

Hi
I'd had 08' Cayman S from new and 65K KM with it..Last year my engine had damaged due to main bearing fault.after repaired them damaged again last week.
I'd find out water leak at below water pump near black case..cause fault from here??
My question is after repaired engine and started had P0304,P0305,P0302 misfire..rough idle I mention.
Check already for coils,spark plugs,wire plugs had 12V,
Also Unburned fuel can be found after start.
Need help for result my engine fault plz.

Thanks

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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Common Boxster Engine Problems and Failures - 986 / 987

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

The coolant leak could be a hose or water pump. I would pressure test the cooling system to locate the source of the leak.
The misfire codes need to be addressed also. Check spark, injector pulse and fuel delivery at cylinders with codes. If all is OK, check cylinder compression.


- Nick

what is causing my 98 boxster 2.5 liter to idle rough an hesitate below 2000 rpm it has 122000 miles on it an it just started acting up like it was misfiring any solutions



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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Common Boxster Engine Problems and Failures - 986 / 987

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

If the problem is only present at low RPM, it could be a vacuum leak or slight engine misfire.

I would start by checking the DME for fault codes. If the system is not working properly, a fault code will be set. This will be your best bet when diagnosing.

If there are no fault codes, check each cylinder for aprk, fuel and compression.

- Nick

what is causing my 98 boxster 2.5 liter to idle rough an hesitate below 2000 rpm it has 122000 miles on it an it just started acting up like it was misfiring any solutions



__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Common Boxster Engine Problems and Failures - 986 / 987

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

If the problem is only present at low RPM, it could be a vacuum leak or slight engine misfire.

I would start by checking the DME for fault codes. If the system is not working properly, a fault code will be set. This will be your best bet when diagnosing.

If there are no fault codes, check each cylinder for spark, fuel and compression.

- Nick

The battery was dead in my 98 boxter i charged the battery, now the engine is backfiring and missing was running fine before

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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Common Boxster Engine Problems and Failures - 986 / 987

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

Did you accidentally reverse the battery terminals when reconnecting? Did you remove the battery when you charged it?

I would start by checking the DME for fault codes. If the system is not working properly, a fault code will be set. This will be your best bet when diagnosing.

- Nick

[JdrDXb]

Hi - thanks for the reply. Every time the CEL comes on, the Error codes are the same P1266 and P0336; crankshaft position sensor and short to ground on cylinder 2.

Once the engine has been tripped and goes to limp mode, i turn it off, and back on ; CEL is still lit, codes are still present, but car runs fine.

Goto the dealer, reads the codes, clears the codes; everything fine. After changing coils, sensors, plugs, he is now suggesting the actuators for the variocams could be playing up, so would need to be changed - what do you think? I am leaning more to electrical faults - but happy to hear anything!
Thanks
Jason

[Lyle.woodard]

I also finished up the process by running the car with the rear still on jack stands (at idle with a couple of runs up to around 3500) for one cycle of the radiator fans. Got one more slight burp, cooled down and set the car back on its feet and topped the tank to just above the cold fil line. No problems, and the process in the book is easy.

[JdrDXb]

Hi -
The fun with the CEL and engine continues. I had the faults cleared. The codes were P0366 and P1266.
The cam position sensor has been replaced. All coils and spark plug replaced. All running for 1 week. Then the same fault happens again. The car is tiptronic, not manual.
When acceleration is "normal" when you get to about 4,300 RPM the gear changes. This works fine and no issues.
When acceleration is hard, then revs go to around 6,000 RPM before changing up.
When you hit 5th, accelerating hard, the rev counter "stick" and wobbles a little between 4000 and 4400 as though misfiring, but i cannot hear a misfire. If i then back off the gas, all is ok. If i keep the gas on, then after about 5 seconds the CEL comes on and the power is cut and i have to pull over, turn off. Then re-start and drive to dealer for check - same fault codes. Once driving with CEL on all acceleration and driving is fine. Talk is now off "variocam solenoids actuators sticking" - any other ideas based on the fault codes?
Thanks
Jason