3.4 Boxster engine needs cylinder work

[Kevin Ervin]

My poor 3.4 Boxster (10.5 years old, 30,000 miles) has been diagnosed with a scored cylinder, D&G think it's just the last one on the left bank and will need relining with nikasil, by Hartech. The question is....do I have all six attended to while the engine is out? Given that I'm looking at £600 a pot, this is a very expensive option as we may need new pistons etc., but ....given the cost of taking the engine out in the first place is also brutally expensive, do I want to repeat this process again. Is the problem likely to reoccur in any of the other cylinders. Has anyone out there had this dilemma?

 

[Dylan1]

They should be able to see each one with the endoscopes
def worth looking at them all
best of luck

 

[Kevin Ervin]

The endoscope showed just the one obviously in serious need of attention, really close inspection of the others required when Hartech have their hands on it, but, do I get them all relined to to prevent future disaster, or is this a really rare occurrence?

 

[Motorhead]

Really sorry to hear about your problem Kevin.

As I understand it, that number 6 cylinder is the the one most prone to bore scoring, so I suppose you'd have the first base covered if you only replace a single cylinder.

I suppose the critical issue for you is whether or not you believe you can live with any concern that the same might happen to another cylinder if you plan to continue driving the car in the manner for which it was designed, something only you can decide I'm afraid. You also have to factor in such things as how long you plan to keep the car, it's potentially better resale value if you go for a complete engine rebuild, etc.

Good luck..!

Jeff

 

[Kevin Ervin]

Thanks Jeff, your thoughts pretty much support my internalising of the idea that if you're going to have it done, then do it once and do it right. It's been a big loss recently during the good weather and I don't want to keep continually reassuring myself of how reliable my Honda is as I potter gently along the winding country roads. Yawn!

 

[Gordon Attar]

You must do at least do thEe 3 cylinders that side. Doing all 6 will only add another 25% to the bill, so you should do all 6 as you have a car with poor niikasel linings.

 

[richardjjs1]

Would be interested to know what the symptoms where and why you thought it needed doing.
So its a 2008 997-2 S I presume
What have you been quoted for the whole job

Car is low mileage and its going you cost, guess, 8k + Car worth, what 22.5k

I think you either sell the car or do the job properly as you will have a really good car with new CORRECT linings

 

[Chuckie66]

Bad news and sorry to hear, if engine is out best do the whole lot IMHO.

Q. what symptoms caused you to go for an endoscope? was it drinking lots of oil, or tell tale oil residue on the left hand exhaust tip?

I'm wondering whether to get an endoscope on my 987.1 3.4 with 55K miles; as whilst no oil signs, car is relatively new to me and want to avoid any major issues...

 

[Kevin Ervin]

Thanks for your comments.
The symptoms noticed were higher than expected oil use, well over 2 litres in 2000 miles and black exhaust deposits even after a long run. However, there was no strange noise from the engine as may be evident with this fault. So, I wanted a full inspection performed on the car as I'd only had it three months, so I took it to D&G in Tyneside, where I was shown the extent of the scoring on cylinder number one through the camera.
The bad news....Gary reckoned the cost of stripping the engine and sending it off to Hartech for the single cylinder relining would be in the region of £4000. (Sharp intake of breath).
But, good news....The awfully nice people who sold it to me, an very old established family firm in Cumbria who sell a good number Porsches and similar cars, have not even attempted to squirm out of their warranty promise.
But, more bad news....Considered opinion seems to confirm that it would be in my best interests to have all six cylinders relined and this will be at my expense, pushing the total to over £6000.
But, good news....The inspection at D&G revealed that the rest of the vehicle was "Tip top", which is reassuring as this is by far the best of many cars I looked before buying. The fact that it's still on it's original tyres may be testament to the fact it hasn't been abused and the interior is in absolutely mint condition as is 99 percent of the paintwork.
So in conclusion, the car was bought as an investment, not a financial one, purely for pleasure. And, as we know, everything has it's price. So, it's looking like the cost of happiness has just gone up!
Ho-hum, such is life.

 

[Kevin Ervin]

Thanks for your comments.
The symptoms noticed were higher than expected oil use, well over 2 litres in 2000 miles and black exhaust deposits even after a long run. However, there was no strange noise from the engine as may be evident with this fault. So, I wanted a full inspection performed on the car as I'd only had it three months, so I took it to D&G in Tyneside, where I was shown the extent of the scoring on cylinder number one through the camera.
The bad news....Gary reckoned the cost of stripping the engine and sending it off to Hartech for the single cylinder relining would be in the region of £4000. (Sharp intake of breath).
But, good news....The awfully nice people who sold it to me, an very old established family firm in Cumbria who sell a good number Porsches and similar cars, have not even attempted to squirm out of their warranty promise.
But, more bad news....Considered opinion seems to confirm that it would be in my best interests to have all six cylinders relined and this will be at my expense, pushing the total to over £6000.
But, good news....The inspection at D&G revealed that the rest of the vehicle was "Tip top", which is reassuring as this is by far the best of many cars I looked before buying. The fact that it's still on it's original tyres may be testament to the fact it hasn't been abused and the interior is in absolutely mint condition as is 99 percent of the paintwork.
So in conclusion, the car was bought as an investment, not a financial one, purely for pleasure. And, as we know, everything has it's price. So, it's looking like the cost of happiness has just gone up!
Ho-hum, such is life.


If you are looking for a full check up including endoscope I would recommend D&G. My nearest specialist was looking to charge me about £220 for the work, with Porsche Teesside asking for a discounted fee of £125 + vat plus extra for the camera work, which could have easily doubled it. D&G - £75 all in, no contest and very helpful when contacting the supplying dealer advising them of the problem and the cure.

 

[Motorhead]

Kevin,

I get the impression that you've already decided to go for a full rebuild and hopefully the warranty will at least cover part of the cost.

As pointed out, although it's possible to repair a single cylinder it would certainly be desirable to repair the whole bank (otherwise you'd have one closed-deck and two open-deck cylinders), at which point you may just as well have all 6 cylinders relined. I would imagine that on such a low mileage engine most of the internal components will be reusable, but D&G will be able to advise you.

Jeff

 

[Kevin Ervin]

Thanks Jeff, I'm just pleased it's not a Ferrari, not that was ever on the shopping list

 

[Boxstercol]

If it's any consolation, following a Hartech rebuild it will be pretty much bullet proof, plus should command a premium if you ever were to sell.