Boxster Probs - Saturday Telegraph 28th Feb

[Andrew Killington]

Hi
did anyone pick this up from the motoring supplement? a reader writes;
"I have a 98 Boxster that has been serviced at the prescribed intervals by AFN Guildford, the supplying dealer. 2 weeks after the most recent service with 27K on the clock, it suddenly stopped. AFN found debris in the combustion chamber and said a new engine was required. Porsche rejected AFN's goodwill claim because of the car's age. Later Porsche offered to pay 75% of the engine cost. Should I accept?"
Reply from Telegraph's Honest John;
" This is a fantastic offer for a 6 year old car. Welcome it with open arms. I am hearing reports of timing chain failures on Boxsters, which adds weight to my argument for 6 monthly oil and filter changes"
I haven't heard anything from the forum on timing chain failures; anybody care to comment?
Andrew

 

[Mark_Bennett]

There is no timing CHAIN - it is a belt. As it is a belt it does not require lubricating.
So Honest John must have shares in Mobil or be a tad confused...

Perhaps he means the Variocam drive?
Not a noticeable number of them going either - is there?

 

[Guest]

I had a solenoid for the Variocam go at about 29,000 which Ive since heard is not uncommon, just very expenisve.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Andrew Killington

Hi
did anyone pick this up from the motoring supplement? Reply from Telegraph's Honest John;
Andrew

Andy .... Thats why I stopped reading Newspapers back in the early 90's and my life is so much better for it ..... Get my news from radio /TV and my motoring news from far too many mags []

 

[Andrew Killington]

Mark
I feel tempted to write to Honest John and correct him. (although perhaps he will be cleared out with the change in ownership[])
Rob
I know what you mean........it was a "borrowed" Telgraph........ I only read the Racing Post[]
Andy

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Andrew Killington

Mark
I feel tempted to write to Honest John and correct him. (although perhaps he will be cleared out with the change in ownership[])
Rob
I know what you mean........it was a "borrowed" Telgraph........ I only read the Racing Post[]
Andy

Year after the clear out he should go write the porno reviews and borrowed Telegraph Andy I get mine with the fish & chips mate thats what newspapers were meant to be used for []

 

[Melv]

There's only so many queries on Volvo's, Rover's, Daewoos etc I can handle on Honest John's column, but the rest of the supplement usually has some extremely interesting arrticles.

Only prob is that a lot are syndicated and often also appear in the classic magazine monthly's, i.e. Classic Car, Octane etc.

Mel

 

[Andrew Killington]

to his credit Honest John has mailed me a quick reply - I quote;
"what does it have then? belt or gear chain; something fails and pistons hit valves"

can't fault HJ's logic!

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Belt.

So how does changing the oil help?[8|]

 

[JCB..]

Andrew

I have details of two people who have a broken engine on a 2.5 low mileage car and Porsche have given them the cold shoulder.

What's this dudes email address?

JCB..

 

[Andrew Killington]

JCB
it's
letters@honestjohn.co.uk
and he is the telegraph's motoring q and a "guru"
Andrew

 

[JCB..]

Thanks..

 

[matt643]

Eeer guys, if we are talking about what I know as the timing device, IE the part that drives the cams then its a chain. Do you see 'check timing belt' in the service history?

the power steering, AC ect are driven by a belt but the cams and variocam are driven by a chain.

Check the attached jpeg from the Porsche sales brochure for details.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

the cams and variocam are driven by a chain.

I did ask in my first post if this is what was meant - however I did not realise the main belt has nothing to do with the crankshaft/cam timing.
Looking at the workshop manual again this is quite clear. The Porsche design is more radical than I realised!

So I was wrong - if this is what he meant. Sorry[&o]