Traces of oil in the header tank????

[Garry Steele]

I'm looking out for a Boxster as my next car, and have found a 2000/W 3.2S with 30K miles on the clock.

However, there's one potential problem"¦.. There's some traces of oil in the coolant header tank.

The current owner has had the complete system flushed by a main dealer (yet to be advised who), who told him that it can take forever to get oil out of a radiator system. They even replaced the heater exchanger.

The car is in beautiful condition and runs absolutely perfectly, and there are no other signs of problems. I guess it could be one of three problems; a) someone's put oil in the header tank (an easy mistake to make apparently as the filler caps are next to each other), but somehow I think this is probably unlikely, b) the head gasket is on the way out and c) there's a small crack somewhere in the cylinder head.

Has anyone had this problem before (I'm sure it's not unique) and what was the outcome? I'm obviously wary because cracked cylinder head might mean replacement engine scenario and I wouldn't really want to go there.

If anyone has any suggestions, or how better to determine exactly what the problem might be I'd be very grateful.

Thanks.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

I think you have diagnosed the situation correctly wrt b) or c)
I would most certainly walk away.
Any buyer's guide would tell you the same (as I'm sure you know)

 

[Glyn]

Whilst there is a potential for a head gasket problem or a crack, to be sure why not get the owner to have it compression tested, this will identify any cylinder where there is an escape.
If oil is going into the water then water will be in the oil, check the oil cap, is there a large amount of maionaise under the cap lid - if the car is used for short journeys then it is likely there will be some, long journeys then next to nothing.
Also check if when running does the water temperature gett hotter than the normal reading.
All in all i really dont think you have anything to worry about if the car runs fine, perhaps a check by a porsch dealer will settle your mind, the owner should pay for this quite happily if he want to sell the car.


Glyn

 

[Rodney Naghar]

All in all i really dont think you have anything to worry about if the car runs fine

How do you reach that conclusion?
If there is oil in the header tank, what reasons are there, other than serious ones?

 

[Garry Steele]

This is one of those difficult scenarios......

I know the current owner who's selling the car. He's raising capital for a house purchase, and is letting the car go for £13,000. That's a cheap car! However, not quite so cheap if a new or recon engine is required.

Talking to my Porsche specialist, a compression test is not always accurate because the temperatures have to be 'just so' for any readings to be reasonably accurate! Often it can be a 'wait and see what happens' situation.

The key really is whether the car is a good 'buy' financially, taking into consideration it's overall condition etc, such that even if a 'new' engine is ultimately required, then it could still be considered a good purchase. Dilema!!

 

[burrow01]

Hi,

Would it be eligible for Porsche Warranty? If it passed the 111 point inspection, then if the engine goes you are covered?

Pete

 

[Rodney Naghar]

Wow, that is cheap.....if I were you, I would get a Porsche 111 point inspection done and if it passes then bite the guys arm off (after you've bought the warranty[])

The inspection is pretty basic (see below). They check the coolant for level and anti-freeze...maybe they won't spot the oil? It's a gamble if you pay for the inspection, but if the seller is willing to pay, it's win-win.

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=232940

A 986 3.2 engine from a tiptronic can be had for under 3k

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-PORSCHE-BOXSTER-S-3-2-ENGINE-COMPLETE_W0QQitemZ250084938915QQihZ015QQcategoryZ10408QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If u had to get another engine,(with labour running to a few k I'd assume), you're getting close to just a few k discount from a normal 'S', let alone the engine not being original and probably highish mileage, and the subsequent knock on effect on price.


Your friend isn't stupid, he must know the engine is not looking good, or he could just sell it for 4k more to an indi or through an auction.[:-]

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

I agree with Rodney. Either budget for a new engine in the not-too-distant future, go for the warranty, or walk away.

There are plenty of used engines around. Here's a 25000 miler for £2995: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320075915837

 

[Garry Steele]

How much is the 111 check and does that mean it must be services at an OPC or will an indepentent specialist be good enough?

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

"chrono" just paid £125+VAT at Cambridge without taking the warranty, but I have heard that they will do the 111-point check for free (Cambridge only, I think) if you take out the £895 warranty.

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=262972

Edit: I expect you would have to get regular servicing from an OPC. (Although you could take it elsewhere for everything else, perhaps?).

 

[Glyn]

There are a few reasons for oil in the water, the first is that the owner put it there by mistake, but what does the owner have to say about it?
It could have had previous work done on the engine and oil contaminated the water.
But a pressure test of the water system would indicate if there was any leak between a gasket or a crack.
Obviously i guess it depends on the amount of contamination, is it really bad? or just a scummy trace.
Either way the warranty option is the best idea, if the car doesnt pass the inspection then walk away, but if it does and nothing develops within the warranty year then dont renew the warranty the next year as nothing serious could be wrong.


Glyn

 

[Garry Steele]

Took the car for a test drive yesterday, and after about 30 mins of slow and fast driving, checked both filler caps in the boot.

There was nothing in the oil filler cap at all, whereas if there was a head gasket seeping or a crack somewhere in the cylinder head, there would be at least some sign of water in the oil. No white spots, no emulsification, nothing!

In the water header tank, dip your finger in and it comes out with a film of oil on it. Again, no emulsification, no white spots, absolutely nothing to indicate that water and oil is mixing. None of the usual signs that you would expect anyway.

Also followed the Boxster being driven, and there was not a whiff of anything from the exhaust, even under hard acceleration. Then, when stopped, nothing on the inside of the exhaust either. Dry as a bone!

I'm having it inspected by an independent specialist this week, one of the best in the South West, and I'll see what he says, but at the moment there are no tell tale signs of anything amiss at all. Most peculiar.

 

[Guest]

As the oil is under higher pressure than the water in the engine - then any leak between the systems will initially be in the oil > water direction, giving you oil in the coolant.

You may not see any coolant in the oil at all in the early stages.

Walk away now and save your dosh for a car without this issue - it's about a serious a red flag as you can get, especially on the M96 engine which has a quality issue that can lead to intermix failure.

 

[Guest]

Link HERE that explains the issues around the 996, some of which applies directly to the 986 blocks from the same era.

Chris.