986 3.2 Timing Chain Fail...Advice Please

[daz80]

Hi All,

I have a 2002 986 Boxster S - Silver - 54k - Porsche/Specialist service history and have owned the car for 3 & 1/2 years.

Last week while driving at a steady 50mph in 6th gear, the engine lost power & sounded like it was a couple of cylinders down, so I pulled up but couldn't get the car started. The AA arrived, who tried to restart it a few times to no avail, with the last crank resulting in a backfire sound from the engine & smoke coming from the air intake behind the drivers door (which smelled like electrical burning). There was no oil loss from under the car, or smoke from the exhaust - & the car has never used any oil. RMS was replaced a few years ago, & when I looked a month ago there was no sign of oil misting present on the casing.

After recovery to my local Porsche Indy & a day or two later, my the mechanic tells me that the camshaft sensor on bank 1 was reading a fault, which was replaced but the car still wouldn't start. Further investigation revealed that the timing chain had snapped, & bits of metal were found in the scavenge pump.

As you can imagine I am pretty upset.

My options appear to be:
1. Source second hand engine
2. Have current engine reconditioned
3. Sell car as it is

Does anyone have any advice or other options?! Also approximate costs of the above / rough value of a car in this state.

Thanks for reading!

Darren

 

[Geoff_Fields]

Hartech rebuild would seem best solution and get their mods applied at the same time.
http://www.hartech.org/index.html

 

[ninja02]

Hi Daz

Sorry to here of your problem, I experienced a similar problem last year with a tappet exploding and a piece jamming the timing chain and thus bending the exhaust valves. It cost me approx £2000 for parts only. []

Phill

 

[ianmac]

Sorry to hear of your trouble daz, does the service history show the timing belt as having been changed ever?.. In my service book its shows 6 years at latest...hope you get sorted.

Edited: Changed case to remove shouting []

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: ianmac

Sorry to hear of your trouble daz, does the service history show the timing belt as having been changed ever?.. In my service book its shows 6 years at latest...hope you get sorted.

Just to clarify, that is the Accessory Belt - which is a rubber belt that transmits power to the Air Con, Power Steering, Alternator etc. The Timing Chain is inside the engine casing and, if I recall, has no service time specified.

 

[Nick_USA]

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

ORIGINAL: ianmac

Sorry to hear of your trouble daz, does the service history show the timing belt as having been changed ever?.. In my service book its shows 6 years at latest...hope you get sorted.

Just to clarify, that is the Accessory Belt - which is a rubber belt that transmits power to the Air Con, Power Steering, Alternator etc. The Timing Chain is inside the engine casing and, if I recall, has no service time specified.

You are indeed correct Mark, the timing chain is not a maintenance item.

 

[ianmac]

thanks for clearing that up guys, understand...my accessory belt is due for replacement at 6 year service next week...

 

[BartyB]

Daz, you asked what the value of the car might be as it stands. Based on the hammer price of two good 986 Boxsters (2001 and 2004) that I've seen go through the auctions in the last two weeks I'd say you would be talking about £2500 as a trade value. Privately you could probably achieve £3000 - £3500.

 

[boxter s]

Sorry to here that. I was in a similar situation and opted for a second hand engine. A rebuild would be ideal but to expensive in my case, nearly as much as the car is worth. Also I agree with BartyB valuation of the car in its current condition, again selling wasn't an option for me. I have a Boxster S 3.2 engine complete and Boxster S 3.2 engine parts for sale, if you need anything just give me shout, sure I can do I deal to help you out. No exactly what its like, been there myself.