Oh shi...

Doug&Julie · 02-08-2005, 02:25 PM

Here I am, one of the many who report how great Boxsters are and how reliable they are and so forth...

Today leaving work (where I'm still at by the way) I started my car, went to adjust my iPod, then heard a "flap flap flap" noise and the motor shut down. I go to engage the starter again and all I get is a that dreaded 'churh' sound...the starter engages but the motor thinks otherwise.

So I'm dreading the worst. Tonight I'll be having nightmares of credit card bills and motor replacements and blah blah blah...

Maybe it's just the belt? If my belt breaks, will it damage the motor? (..a la the no valve clearance 944 motors? ..ask me how I know about those problems!!!

)

The only bright side to this is, if it IS a seized motor, my mechanic has a 9k mile 3.4 911 motor sitting in his shop just waiting to be transplanted in a Boxster. That could be cool.

But either way... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Zeke · 02-08-2005, 04:19 PM

I hope it's not what it sounds like.

Let us know.........

AFJuvat · 02-08-2005, 06:20 PM

Fingers remain firmly crossed for you

If you have the dreaded "piston trying real hard to work its way through the cylinder" problem, talk to the dealer you may be able to get it repaired under warranty.

AFJuvat

Doug&Julie · 02-09-2005, 05:04 AM

Well, I THINK it threw a belt...based on the "flap flap flap" noise just before it stumbled to a stall. Financially, I'm hoping for that.

But in the event that it's the "other"...I doubt I'll even try to get my dealership to fix it. It's been out of warranty for a year now and I've heard plenty of horror stories from other Boxster boards/owners. I'm not sure I want to even try that. Besides, this would be a good excuse to upgrade to some real power for my lil' bastard.

I should find out today...stay tuned!

Doug&Julie · 02-09-2005, 09:37 AM

*****. Seized motor.

trj911 · trj911's Garage

Man does that suck! How many miles on it? Can they tell the cause?

Brillo · Brillo's Garage

Sorry to hear it Doug

Keep us posted on what route you decide to go with it.

Zeke · 02-09-2005, 08:12 PM

Catastrophic engine failures are not what PCNA wants people to hear about. This is not the first time and a few more, it will be recall time.

I would play dumb, flatbed the car to the dealer and ask, "What happened?" A little careful negotiation may get you a "new" refurbished motor.

You don't want to get too weird, but I've been know to video things like of loading a car at a dealership with the dealer signs in the frame. You can always explain,"Oh, we typically video all of our adventures."

And, for cryin' out load, how many cars of yours, parents and friends have just frozen up when you went to start it to go home? I've known one, a friend's Chevy PU and there turn out to be problems with that year. Yet, I've heard of several Boxster motors dying suddenly.

Did I mention recall?

Actually, it's not a bad idea to video loading and unloading your car.

Oh, and a few of these incidents reported could result in a recall.

Doug&Julie · 02-10-2005, 04:04 AM

I probably should have had it towed to the dealership right away, but I knew it was almost a year out of warranty, so I figured I'd have it towed to my indi wrench instead. At first, I wasn't sure what it was, and I wasn't going to let the dealer fix a T-belt (if that's all it was). Now I know. I'm not sure I want to fight the headache of dealing with "them".

Julie and I have decided to go ahead and spend the money for the 3.4 911 motor transplant. Ken happens to have one handy at his shop. And to be honest, I've been toying with the idea for some time now. Unfortunately, now I'm in the position where I HAVE to have something done. But I'm actually kinda excited about driving a 300hp Boxster.

Tom J...I just crossed over 29k miles. I bought the car two years ago with only 12k miles on the odo. I drive it all year 'round, but last year I sprained my ankle and Julie had to drive me to work for three weeks. Plus, we've been taking Julie's car on most trips...it's just more comfortable. Otherwise, I would have sworn something like this would have happened under warranty because I would have put more miles on it.

I'm not sure the cause. I plan to keep the motor and disassemble it in theh hopes of selling some parts. (?) I'll talk to Ken about it in more detail when I see him. This is not going to be a fast process...

Does anybody have a car I can borrow for three months?

Zeke · 02-10-2005, 07:25 AM

Well, you can take the motor apart, but I don't think you will have much luck selling pieces except the induction. Maybe the exhaust. Reason is that used motors are plentiful and cheap. And I think a factory recon long block is cheaper than the sum of the parts it takes to rebuild.

You are taking this well, I would be in orbit.

Doug&Julie · 02-10-2005, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zeke
You are taking this well, I would be in orbit.

I'm just too lazy to be pissed...

I guess I just see this as a "good excuse" to get the hot-rod Boxster I want. Believe me, I'm not looking forward to paying for all of this. And the real *****ty thing is now there's NO WAY I'll be in another 911 anytime soon. Dammit.

I'll have to see what's left after the transplant. You're probably right...I don't really expect to make much if any money off the motor, but I'll try. If not, tearing it down will be a learning experience.

cmelecci · 02-10-2005, 07:56 AM

Wow!!
I can't believe your calm mannerism. I don't know how I'm going to handle this if/when it's my turn. You haven't even attempted to confront your dealer? Past experiences I've read about with the cylinder liners have been taken care of by dealers. Belts, cam timing failures have left the owner on their own. I'm glad your coming into a 3.4 motor, but still a uncalled for expence.
Best of luck
Carl

Doug&Julie · 02-10-2005, 08:02 AM

First stop Saturday morning will be at the dealership to see what (if anything) can be done. But I'm not optimistic. If that fails, we continue on with plans....

Brillo · Brillo's Garage

I'm glad you are at least going to talk to a Porsche dealership. That low of mileage on a '99 and as Milt said this is not unheard of with Boxsters.

Our 2000 has just under 14K and we are driving it more. I've heard of enough of these happening that it has me somewhat worried.

Doug&Julie · 02-10-2005, 08:37 AM

Well if it helps, I've heard these problems are pretty much limited to the 2.5 motors. But then again, I was told it was limited to cars built before March, '99. Mine was built in March, '99.

Doug&Julie · 02-11-2005, 09:39 AM

Well here's what I've decided to do:

After talking with many here and on Rennlist I got a little worried about the reliability of a used 911 motor, so I talked with the dealership about my options. (The first time I talked to them, I just asked "how much for a new motor" and they said "around $20k" and I said "thank you, goodbye!") Anyway, as it turns out they do offer a "remanufactured" motor that would come with a two year warranty. Since it's a direct swap, it'll be cheaper on the labor front as well. All in all, with this option I'm "only" out about $8k. So I think I'm going with this route...enjoy the car for the summer then sell it.

FYI I was told that Porsche would have replaced my motor under "good faith" if a) I was the original owner and b) the car was less than one year out of warranty. I don't match either of that criteria, so I have to pay.

So, no hot rod Boxster for me, sadly. But I would not have been surprised if it would have cost me twice as much by the time all was said and done. Right now, with Julie and I trying to SAVE to move 'cross country, I'd just as soon spend as little as possible. Plus, I think having the "new" motor will make this car more attractive when I go to sell it.

Thanks all for your help and opinions!

tholyoak · 02-16-2005, 06:42 PM

Well if you are going to pass on the motor swap could you pass on the contact info for your wrench with the 3.4?

Thanks
Todd

Doug&Julie · 02-17-2005, 04:08 AM

Sure. ..although technically he's "got a buyer" with a deposit on the motor. But Ken told me that buyer can't pay for the whole motor (and whatever he's planning on doing with it) right away, so if another buyer came along with cash, he'd understand. Ken "needs to get" $6k.

The motor is a '99 with under 10k miles. It was removed from a '99 911 under an insurance claim. Ken can tell you more details...

Ken Farler
Farler Performance
1966 Shaker Road
Franklin, OH 45005
513.932.1535

tholyoak · 02-19-2005, 03:59 PM

Thanks for the info. I'll try and get in touch with him.
If you need a motor the supercharged 2.5 from my car will be available cheap.

Todd

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

After talking with many here and on Rennlist I got a little worried about the reliability of a used 911 motor

Can you lend a little more detail?

Was it the valves, or am I thinking air-cooled not water cooled?