Engine rattle

[boxstr]

Some of you may have seen the "xmas boxster", I got the car just before xmas and not much driving time. Well I decided to take a run to the store between rainshowers. About 1 mile away. I stopped at a light ,and then took off, Engine rattle,dash lights flash and stall. Instant panic sets in, I try to restart the car since I am in the middle of the road. I am ablle to get it to a turn median and the flashers are turned on and I make a phone call to a tow company.
Car gets flat towed to Stuttgart Autotech here in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Try to start car, rattle, rattle. Turn off and Monday pull plugs.
I am not to much fun over the weekend although I did make the best of it that I could at JPs git together.
Monday morning I am up at 6 am. Go down to the shop and find out the #3 plug is damaged by something hitting it.
Go to the local Porsche dealer,explain situation, they are not very positive.David says he will call the Porsche rep. and leave a message since they are on vacation.
So I go home with a longer face than I went in with.
Later in the day I get a call from Sunset Porsche, David tells me that the Porsche rep. syas to bring the car in and they will install a new engine. I am so happy I am about ready to cry.
I can tell you I slept good that night and will for quite a few to come. Craig C. Laughlin

[rfoulds]

How many miles were on it??

[Wayne 962]

Interesting...

Did they say anything else? What year is it? How many miles?

-Wayne

[boxstr]

The car is a 1998 19866 miles, I am the third owner. Car purchased at Suncoast Porsche, that owner drove it to the country club and back for 7488 miles. Second owner put the remaining miles on the car.
Third owner,ME,I put about 20 miles on the car before I get a new motor.
I honestly did not expect this much particaption from Porsche. I am elated that they are giving me a new motor. I have only positive things to say about Porsche and there service to the Boxster owner who suffers an engine meltdown.
A happy Porsche owner.
Think they will help out on my 914-6.

[rfoulds]

That's great! Ask if you can keep your old motor and part it out. I guess they wouldn't give me a new motor if something breaks. I have 99,600 miles!!

[boxstr]

To be honest I didn't think that I was going to get anything either. But the Boxster has a history of this type of problem and Porsche has stepped up and taken care of the problem for the consumer. If I were in your shoes and it happened to me wiuth that kind of mileage I would pursue having the factory remedy the situation or at least a happy compremise.

[Wayne 962]

Wow, this would make me nervous about buying a used Boxster...

-Wayne

[Zeke]

Several months ago, I read quite a bit on Porsche Pete's Boxster Board about replaced engines. Seams PCNA is quite good about it (maybe they want to avoid the negative publicity). I've never heard of a replacement engine conking out, so maybe they quietly reworked the gremlins. As far as getting the engine back, I believe there is a slim chance of that. I think PCNA or the factory itself wants them for research.

Craig, I'm sure sorry this happened to you. That is a beautiful car. The bright side, as you mentioned, is now you have a beautiful car with a new engine. I'm not sure if I am jealous or not.

[boxstr]

Zeke Thanks, I am really missing it right now. We are having sunny and dry weather here in Portland Oregon and my car is still at the dealer. I think I will go out and visit today, maybe take along some new clear side marker lites.
Actually I did sneak out to my warehouse and take one of the 914s out tfor a drive.
I am very releaved by PCNA taking the empitise to resolve the problem without my having to resort to any stronger actions on my part,other than a phone call to the dealer. I hold them in even higher regard than I had for many years.
I have been told by the dealer that we start from square one with the engine, 0 miles, breakin period and rechecking after 1000 miles.
Another side benefit to all of this is I am getting all of the recalls done while the car is at the dealer,gas cap,cabrio top cables, etc.
Craig C. Laughlin CAMP 914

[Wayne 962]

Sounds like a good deal in the long run - will increase the value of the car...

-Wayne

[boxstr]

Today I have to agree with 100%, the future will tell. At least I am not over my head in my purchase price of this Boxster.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Sounds like a good deal in the long run - will increase the value of the car...

-Wayne

I'm sure you are right. However, before I purchased my car, I looked at a '97 that had the engine replaced. My gut reaction when the seller was bragging bout the new engine was not favorable. I know it was a knee jerk reaction, but for that and other reasons, I walked without even offering any price. Now, knowing more, i would prolly react better. But you gotta wonder about the novice buyer. And it's the average sum of all purchases that establishes the going prices.

On another note, but to the same point, a friend of mine was selling a '74 Targa with reciepts for over $12,000 in engine work and other items. He had it at Pomona 3 out of the last 4 events. No sale. Price went from $10,500 to $6900 in those months. Somewhere around $6000, a woman looked at it and when informed that the 15 x 7s were not the stock wheel (they were also not real Fuchs, but copies) she walked. Car sold for $5600 last week to the mechanic who did all the work. At least he knew what he was getting.

[rfoulds]

How much would that suck! Pay a guy $12k then sell the car to HIM for less than half!!?!
That would be enough to make me drive a Honda for a few years...