11Oct2011
Boxster S Convertible Top Failure
Had this poor little Boxster come in with a broken top. These cars are known for weak convertible top transmissions and cables, and this one decided to let go with the top up…..right in the middle of the nice weather we are having here in KC no less. There are a couple failure modes on these transmissions. Sometimes you get lucky and just the cables let go, other times the transmissions lock up and take the cables with them. This …
29Sep2011
Boxster Coolant Leak
Ok, obviously we are having a glitch in the system. This is the 2nd time I have created an entire post, only to hit Publish, and it posts a blank entry and deletes my written post. Grrrrr….. This Boxster came in this week with a slow coolant leak the owner couldn't find. The coolant expansion tanks in the 996 and Boxsters are known for cracking and causing a slow leak. On the 996, it will leak down off the …
24Aug2011
Boxster S Work
This Boxster S showed up yesterday for a few needed repairs. A host of lights on the dash, including the check engine light, ABS light, and brake sensor light were all lit up like a Christmas tree. First thing to do was to go after the brake issue. The front passenger side harness connector was shattered where the ABS sensor and the brake wear sensor plug in. All that was left is a bundle of wires. A quick call to …
15Jun2011
Boxster Ignition Switch
After I got the alternator done in the Boxster, I got a call on another Boxster that was having intermittent start issues. I packed up some tools, grabbed a spare ignition switch, and headed north. And the patient tucked safely in it’s garage. And the culprit….the notorious ignition switch. Older 944 and 911 owners always keep a spare DME relay in the glove box for imminent failure. Boxster and 996 owners should carry a spare ignition switch, lol. New switch …
15Jun2011
Boxster Alternator
Had a busy tow day yesterday, lol. Had this Boxster S come in yesterday with a bad alternator. Picked up the part and got to work this morning. Getting into the front access panel. Note the top cover really doesn’t have to come off, you just need to pull the speaker box to get to the carpet clips. And the alternator in the top left corner. Now the fun. Two bolts and the belt come off, then you get to …
07May2011
Boxster S 60k Service
Had this Boxster S come in for it’s 60k service this week. Got it knocked out and back to the owner, ready for another 60k 🙂 Driver’s side bank was covered in oil, pretty typical with the spark plug tube seals. Removing the coilpacks to replace the plugs and tube seals. Not horrible, but ready for a change. Cabin filter was about 10x heavier with buildup than the replacement new filter, lol. New one install Then it was on to …
27Apr2011
996 Oil Leaks
A buddy of mine brought by his 996 that is having trouble containing it’s oil, lol. Every time he drives the car, he gets out and smells that familiar smell of oil burning off the engine. It was time to get it taken care of. One of the most common sources of oil leaks in the M96 motors are the spark plug tube seals. There is an inner and outer o ring on the tube that will leak over time. …
20Apr2011
996/Boxster Window Problems Part II
Awhile back I had written a post about window drop issues in the boxster/996. A few weeks ago I had a Boxster come in for an oil change, and a window that was not functioning properly. The driver window would not drop at all, from the inside door handle, or the outside door handle. To me, this said that the microswitch on the latch mechanism always thought the door was closed. So I ordered a new latch. Today I knocked …
02Mar2011
Finishing the Boxster Clutch
Got the clutch installed this afternoon, and sent the car on it’s way. Since the disc was down to the metal, it did enough damage to the flywheel that I had to order a new flywheel. I think my machine shop could have probably turned the surface on the end mill and it would have been fine, but due to time constraints of the owners, we just went ahead with a new flywheel. New flywheel installed. What a new clutch …
01Mar2011
Boxster Clutch
Drove down south of Louisburg today to diagnose a Boxster that was immobile. Figured out pretty fast that the clutch was completely shot. I assumed the disc hub had separated from the friction ring as there was zero movement from the car with the clutch disengaged. We had it towed up to the garage, and I started tearing it apart. Had the tow truck drop it straight onto the ramps for me. Lots of stuff to remove to get to …