Porsche Boxster Common Mechanical & Engine Problems

Air/Oil Separator Failure

An air/oil separator failure can cause oil to enter the intake manifold and negatively impact vehicle performance.

Luckily, it’s easy to see if you have an air/oil separator failure, as you’ll see oil leaks, dark smoke coming from the exhaust, or the check-engine light will come on.

Engine Block Porosity

The engine block porosity is a casting defect that can cause the engine to fail completely, leading to costly repairs or even replacement. The porous engine block can lead to coolant leakage, as well as oil and water intermixing.

In some cases, it can also cause cylinder sleeves to slip, resulting in further damage. The most common signs of engine block porosity are engine overheating, excessive engine smoke, or low engine compression.

Cylinder Head Cracks

Cracks can occur where exhaust valves are located or even around the spark plug hole, leading to a dangerous issues if not taken care of in time. Any technician would suggest scheduling a proper inspection before purchasing a Porsche vehicle.

Cylinder Lining Cracks

The Porsche Boxster has been widely lauded for its remarkable build. Its cylinder liners were incorporated in the engine case – an innovation that served to provide enhanced stability, durability, and performance.

If the car is overheating or if there are signs of coolant leaking, have the Boxster engine checked for any cylinder lining cracks. These cracks can cause damage to the piston and cylinder sleeve and can lead to further problems.

Rod Bolt Failure

Rod bolt failure is typically noticed in Boxsters of higher mileage or are put through a lot of revving due to intense driving.

Not only can this lead to engine noise and some other issues, but it can also cause long-term damage if not taken care of properly.

If you pay attention to abnormalities like a knocking noise, you may be able to fix it before having to replace the rod bolts.

IMS Bearing Failures

The intermediate shaft bearing failures in some Porsche models occur due to the aging of a vehicle. Oil can start to seep past the bearing seal and cause pre-mature wear that leads to the IMS bearing failure.

It’s important to regularly inspect your Porsche and change the oil as recommended in order to avoid these issues.

Chain Tensioner Failure

Chain tensioner failure is one of the most common problems with Porsche Boxsters built prior to 2000. The root cause is age and wear on the chain tensioner, which can lead to a loss of power or excessive noise from the engine.

If left unchecked, this Porsche Boxster issue can damage the timing components and valves, resulting in costly repairs.

Just like the other common problems with the Porsche Boxster, to avoid this problem, you should have your car regularly serviced and checked at Poudre Sports Car, as we specialize in this and other Porsche models.

Variocam Solenoids Failure

Over the years, we’ve seen owners coming in for Variocam solenoids failure.

The Variocam solenoid controls the engine’s valve timing and can cause a variety of issues when it fails, like reduced power output, poor fuel economy, and increased exhaust emissions.

Leaks in the Rear Main Seal

Last but not least, an unfortunate issue for Porsche Boxster’s first and second generations is a leak in the rear main seal, which causes oil to leak from the engine, leading to poor performance and other issues like engine damage or even engine removal.

It can also lead to a decrease in fuel efficiency and an increase in emissions. If spotted early, a small leak can be fixed quickly and won’t cause other issues.