Boxster IMS again, sorry but please read.

[Speedracer329]

Hi all, I having really posted in this section since becoming the owner of a MY2000 Boxster S, mainly because I have been enjoying driving her.
However, she is on 112,000 now & a big service is looming & I know some work is required. I took the car for a health check/problem finding session at a Indy local to me in Poole & have been told the following work is required:-

Replace clutch & flywheel.
Replace leaking radiator (which one not specified). *I have noticed a small leak.*
Replace ignition switch.
Replace heater fan.
Service.
"Other parts may be required, will not know until parts removed"

I have a couple of questions which I hope someone with knowledge of these cars can answer please.
Is a flywheel change normal when changing the clutch?
I know the last sentence may cover this, but should I have been told it would be advisable to have the IMS bearing replaced?
And lastly, is an ignition switch & cylinder really £350?

Cheers,

Brook.

[dave87]

Did they say RMS or IMS? RMS is rear main oil seal and is commonly done at the same time as the clutch and flywheel.

[Markbarry1977]

Reference the flywheel it depends really. If the surface is damaged it will need replacing. Also I'm not sure if ithe my2000 boxster has a dual mass flywheel. If it's on the original clutch and flywheel and it's a dual mass type I would probably swap it out. You would be mightly annoyed paying all the labour cost out to replace the clutch, only to have to pay the labour to remove the gearbox again a few miles down the line. If your planning on keeping it long term of course.

Also you might want to consider the water pump while your doing all this work just a thought.

As per the ignition barrel I bet it's about right. It's Porsche tax lol.

Best of look. I just had my Cayman in for its 10 year/50000 mile service and I came away with a list as long as your arm which has resulted in the car being parked up for a month while I save up the funds.

[Speedracer329]

dave87 said:

Did they say RMS or IMS? RMS is rear main oil seal and is commonly done at the same time as the clutch and flywheel.

They didn't say either, I was asking if they should have advised one, the other, or both really.

[Orangecurry]

I'd also get a few more quotes from other 'specialists'.

[Speedracer329]

Markbarry1977 said:

Good stuff

Water pump, good thought will put that on the list. Also I will dig out the paperwork & see if it has had a clutch at any point.
Due to a house move we are having to reduce our three cars to two, & as I now have no garage my lovely XJS will have to go to a new owner. I have decided it is better the devil you know & rather than sell the Jag & the Boxster & buy another car I am going to spend the money I get for the Jag on the Porsche & make it the best it can be really. Plan is to keep it indefinitely so I see it as insurance really.

[Speedracer329]

Orangecurry said:

I'd also get a few more quotes from other 'specialists'.

Can you recommend any in my area or not too far away?

[edc]

You mighty want to think about the engine mount too at that age and mileage. Mine was certainly along apart at a similar mileage.

If you are worried at all about IMS bearing stories then when replacing the clutch is the best time. I did just that too more as precaution more than fear but also because the package price from Revolution was almost too good to pass up.

[Speedracer329]

Thanks edc, again I will check the SH receipts.

Do you mind me asking how much extra it was on top of the clutch price?

[edc]

They didn't price in such a way that it was extra. Over 2.5 years ago when I had it done so can't even remember the price that well but they normally list on their website and will happily talk on the phone.

[Piersman2]

Assuming the ignition switch needs changing because the key is sticky when you take it out and the ignition doesn't turn off fully, or you've got some weird electrical gremlins?

I did mine. Takes 10 mins and a small electrical screwdriver.

The ignition part that needs replacing is the back end of the barrel, the electrical bit. It's actually supposed to be a standard VW/BMW/german car part number and I bought one of e-bay for £15. The first one wasn't right, I had some really weird electrical cross overs happening so back to ebay and bought the same specifically for a Porsche. I'm sure it was no more than about £30 for the proper part. See link below.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ignition-Starter-Switch-...

Frankly, assuming this is what's causing the problem, then your garage need replacing if they were trying to charge you the £350 for a complete assembly from Porche.

Edited by Piersman2 on Tuesday 28th June 22:44

[Orangecurry]

Marque21?

JMG?

But I have not used either myself.

By the way - why do you think all this work needs doing?

[ooid]

My 2000 2.7 has a very major engine work done about 6-7 months ago. So during the engine work, here are some updates that done;

- New Clutch + Flywheel
- New Thermostat
- New Water Pump
- New Coolant Tank, and cap
- New Radiators (ordered not fitted yet, as I do not have an Air conditioner and the current ones are working, no leak)
- Cooling Fans with resistors
- IMS (upgraded, my technician said, the IMS did not look so bad, when they were doing the work in the engine but they wanted to update to be safe)
- Flash & Bleed the cooling system, 3 times. (once burped on my garage)

It was only 65k, you seem to be lucky if it did not go through all these until 120k!

[Speedracer329]

Orangecurry said:

Marque21?

JMG?

But I have not used either myself.

By the way - why do you think all this work needs doing?

Well I am aware there is a coolant leak & it isn't in the oil. Loses about 300ml on a 30 mile journey, which I obviously don't do now I know. I can also tell that the engine fan isn't coming on when the temperature starts rising.
I can feel the clutch pedal is heavy, & when the Mrs last tried driving it she couldn't get it in reverse without turning the engine off. I can feel it is a bit notchy but it goes in reverse for me.
With regards to the ignition switch, it doesn't spring back a notch when the car is started, there is a noise which I assume is the starter still turning & things like lights & heater don't work unless you actually turn the key back a notch.

I must say that I haven't been driving around with these problems, the symptoms are all very recent, been noting them down & using the other cars in the meantime. The earliest the Indy can do the repairs is in another months time, & unfortunately I don't have the knowledge/skill/health to tackle them myself.

[ooid]

Speedracer329 said:

Well I am aware there is a coolant leak & it isn't in the oil. Loses about 300ml on a 30 mile journey, which I obviously don't do now I know. I can also tell that the engine fan isn't coming on when the temperature starts rising.
I can feel the clutch pedal is heavy, & when the Mrs last tried driving it she couldn't get it in reverse without turning the engine off. I can feel it is a bit notchy but it goes in reverse for me.
With regards to the ignition switch, it doesn't spring back a notch when the car is started, there is a noise which I assume is the starter still turning & things like lights & heater don't work unless you actually turn the key back a notch.

I must say that I haven't been driving around with these problems, the symptoms are all very recent, been noting them down & using the other cars in the meantime. The earliest the Indy can do the repairs is in another months time, & unfortunately I don't have the knowledge/skill/health to tackle them myself.

I would not really risk the car with the current coolant system, especially if it's leaking and the fans are not reliable. I always assumed, porsche boxster s, with its three radiators, the cooling system was much more efficient but if its still getting quite hot (not knowing your usual driving conditions, assuming average?) might be worth to get looked at all including low temp thermostat and new water pump.

[DarkMatter]

Speedracer329 said:

Can you recommend any in my area or not too far away?

Whilst not a Porsche specialist Jon at Purbeck sports cars would be worth a visit "https://www.facebook.com/Purbeck-Sports-Cars-Ltd-962590750452022/"

[Trev450]

I would also budget for the other radiator to be replaced if not already done as they tend to deteriorate together. Likewise for the air con condensors.

[Orangecurry]

Piersman2 said:

Frankly, assuming this is what's causing the problem, then your garage need replacing if they were trying to charge you the £350 for a complete assembly from Porche.

This - a Porsche 'specialist' should know about this, and be able to swop the part costing 15 GBP for you if you don't feel able.

For them not to know this, and be keen to charge you 350 GBP for the full part from Porsche shows:
1) a lack of knowledge
2) a poor approach

I would find another garage.

Also the cooling system isn't rocket science, and a good mechanic can do this work easily.

I would get a good local mechanic to sort the cooling first.

ETA you can source (all of) the radiators yourself from places like ECP, and supply them and the coolant to the mechanic...and the fan might just be a fuse - did they test the fan?

Edited by Orangecurry on Wednesday 29th June 09:28

[edc]

For most DIYers the Internet has been a godsend as it enables you to find out and source the small component or sub assembly you need. You often can't buy at this component level from most factors. Most Indys won't spend hours trawling the Internet to find a small component.

[Orangecurry]

edc said:

Most Indys won't spend hours trawling the Internet to find a small component.

Sure - but a Porsche specialist is supposed to bring something to the party - to 'add value', otherwise why would you use them?

If, as a specialist mechanic, I saw a recurring issue with a simple part that costs 350 GBP, I'd do a tiny bit of research one evening, to justify my 'specialist' tag.