986 head gasket

[Lesox70]

Is it worth it?
2002 boxster 3.2S
90k
Second owner
Well maintained inc new drive shafts last year
Owned last 5 years
Love the car

Looks like head gasket gone as starting to use coolant and car streams up inside. Also just failed Mot on both front springs broken (replaced them 4 years ago).

Is it worth repairing do you think and if so what will it cost to sort do you think?

Thanks
Lesox70

[Bill]

Sounds more like a failed heater matrix to me.

[Lesox70]

Thanks Bill. Would that use engine coolant?

[Bill]

Yep. This is probably better in the Boxster section, so I'll move it.

[-Ad-]

Coolant could be leaking from any location from the front rads to the interconnecting pipes, to the waterpump or engine block. Or the reservoir could be cracked and it's leaking into the boot, lift up the boot carpet and have a looky.

Any coolant and oil intermixing? Unlikely but could be a crack in the block (more likely on 996 cars with large displacement).

If you're doing the front springs then check out the condition of the bump stops and top mounts, do those if they are looking worn as it won't be extra labour (have to come off anyway).

[Lesox70]

Thanks Ad. Checked all obvious rads etc for coolant leaks but one other issue i forgot to mention is lambda sensor units activating engine warning light. Local garage has replaced them but fault has reoccurred.

[woodysnr]

Keep walking ..there are too many good cars for sale out there ,unless you can do all the work possibly required yourself .

[archie456]

woodysnr said:

Keep walking ..there are too many good cars for sale out there ,unless you can do all the work possibly required yourself .

I think he already owns the car.

[Lesox70]

I do.

[ooid]

It is almost NEVER head gasket. Could be leak in the system, but worse case scenario intermix (Cracked cylinder head), it is common. You just need to get it checked by a mechanic properly, they need to do pressure test and etc...

[swampy442]

If its steaming up inside pull the carpets back and see if the floor is wet, could be the heater matrix.
Front springs are niff naff, easy fix, a matrix would be a big job

[Lesox70]

Thanks to all

[DanG355]

Did you find what the issue is yet? Hopefully simpler than a head gasket.

[Lesox70]

Thanks for to follow up
Not giving up just yet. Local garage believes it's internal to engine and can't help but I finally tracked down porsche specialist guy I've used previously and he's agreed to take a look - trouble is his first slot is 25th March
Replacement car on hold another month...

[DanG355]

Worth the wait if it’s a specialist you trust!