How to tell if engine has been replaced

[Jpeterson]

Dear Forum, I bought a 99 Boxster w/ Triptronic. It has over 117,000 miles on it and it runs and drives like a new car. No oil leaks or any engine problems whatsoever. I have heard that early model Boxsters had engine problems and some engines were replaced under warranty. My question is - is there a way to tell if the engine has been replaced? Like maybe by finding the engine numbers or something. I got the original owners manual and service book. It appears that it was regularly serviced by Porsche but no mention of an engine replacement. If you can tell by the engine number - can anyone advise were to find it on the engine.? Thank you very much, Jerry Peterson

[londoner06]

Maybe this old thread will answer you question:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...ost&p=21213

Best regards,

Alex

[Brad Roberts]

This applies to ALL replacement engines.. it is VERY simple to determine if you have a replacement engine or not in your car :)

The replacement engines have NO (I repeat) NO cosmoline on them :) The cars (all Porsches) get sprayed with the cosomline as they go onto the boat for transport to keep corrosion to a minimum during the salty sea voyage :) Replacement engines from Porsche are shipped in a crate and never get sprayed :)

Want to know wha you have? LOOK underneath the car. Look for the cosmoline on the transmission.. lower suspension plate.. suspension pieces.. you name it.. if the engine has NONE on the oil pan or the sides of the block.. or on the bottom of the heads near the exhaust ports (it is sprayed straight up towards the bottom of the cars) then you have a replacement engine!!

Simple :)

b

[larez2]

Congrats on your purchase!!!

The cosmoline point is a good one, however if you have a replacement engine out of a wrecked Boxster it would still have the cosmoline...

I know several people that have or had higher mileage 986 and 996's, all on their original engines. It sounds to me like you have the original engine - I would think an engine replacement would be reflected in the service records you got.

I think the engine issues on early 986 and 996's were blown out of proportion and are not nearly as bad as the postings on internet may lead you to believe...

[Brad Roberts]

I think the engine issues on early 986 and 996's were blown out of proportion and are not nearly as bad as the postings on internet may lead you to believe...

I agree 100%. The first 911 engines had a TON of problems/recalls, but they did not have the internet to spread the actual issues and blow it up.

B

[RFM]

The characters A.T. (AUS TAUSCH = Exchange ) are part of the engine number.