Question on Boxster Common Engine Failures

I have a 2000 boxster s with 35,000 miles. Car recently serviced and is in great shape and running beautifully. Parked car for hour after running great and engine would turn over but not start. Let sit for about 5 minutes and car started but would not go above 2000 rpm. Drove car to a place I wouldn't get a parking ticket about 1/2 mile away. I had to shift gears to compensate for not being able to go past 2000 rpm but made it with no further damage. Idle is a bit rough but no smoke, no overheating. Possibilities?

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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]

Is the check engine light on or flashing when the problem is present? Sounds like an engine misfire (dead cylinder). I would check spark, fuel and compression on all cylinders.


- Nick

[mikefocke]

Read the codes. There is bound to be a clue there.

[986S_Young'n]

Greetings Gentlemen (and Ladies, just as Awesome!)

I have a question about Boxsters, and their catastrophic engine failures. My story is really, I suspect, the typical but one calling on a cocktail of misfortune. Please bare with me as I'm a novice and I'm learning as I go.

I have "a friend" with an '03 Boxster S non-runner (engine trouble). I know that the informed recommendations have been passed around already in terms what to do with such cars, but the situation is not as easy to resolve by simply buying another 3.2L 986 S engine as they are incredibly difficult to source, before considering price even. For a better understanding, I write to you from South Africa.
Now with this particular model, the car in question doesn't start up. Instead, on ignition, all that's hear is a clicking sound. What's more, is that there is an issue of coolant leakage under the car, presumably from the water pump given the location of the source pool. Also feared was the dreaded IMS bearing failure. Needless to say, it was in quite the forgotten state. Anyway, being novices raised around cars for most of our lives, we thought to inspect some of the components (the ones that wouldn't leave us with spares). Inspecting the air-intake manifold revealed that little bits of metal (2 really, really small pieces). After surfing many forums, Youtube videos and the Pelican-parts website it was thought to try and narrow down the issue, hence the suspicions of before. We would really like to consult any long term owners or experts on the subject of diagnosing the problem. Why won't the car fire up? We filled up the tank with about 5 litres of fuel to check.

We would really appreciate any information or advice in figuring out how to overcome this problem.

PS, if anyone is familiar with the Porsche 986 Boxster - Subaru engine swap project, if possible, please help with providing any additional information about what the project entails. Especially on the electrical side... We're really fascinated with this idea given the out-of-touch prices for replacement engines and what seems to be virtually no local support regarding these models. My friend isn't interested in selling but rather preserving most of this car. Sentimental value...

Kind Regards!!!

986S_Young'n

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

986S_Young'n - you might find additional advice over on our Boxster specific forum here: 986 Forum - for Porsche Boxster Owners and Others - Powered by vBulletin

[986S_Young'n]

Thank you very much! My sincerest apology, I new to all this online communication.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by 986S_Young'n

Thank you very much! My sincerest apology, I new to all this online communication.

No need to apologize. You're in the right place and you can post here for help as well, but the forum I linked above just has more activity geared toward the Boxster. If you ever need anything please don't hesitate to let me know.