All kinds of problems

[Edman]

So I'm on the highway, on my way into the office this morning and I notice in my rearview mirror that my Boxster is smoking badly. White smoke. I turned off the radio and everything sounded okay until I heard a thunk and then the battery light came on and the heat stopped working. I got off at my exit and continued limping to the dealer. As I did, the temp started slowly increasing, and the gauge cluster starting lighting up all the dummy lights. As the temp got really hot, I shut the car down and coasted into the Dealership.

They've had it for three hours, and I haven't heard back on what the problem might be. I'm thinking maybe a coolant hose fell off perhaps? I don't know. My next question would be whether or not whatever the problem is would be covered under my certified warranty....

Ugh... Thoughts? How's YOUR day going?

2002 base (2.7), 5 speed. 55k miles.

Edited December 22, 2008 by Edman

[wvicary]

Water pumps and coolant exspansion tanks are common failures. Never had a hose fall off, let us know what the dealer reports.

[Edman]

Water pump cracked in half. Good call! Covered by the certified warranty.

Next question, after the certified warranty ends, can I get an extension? How much does it cost and will it cover at least twhat the certified warranty covers?? Thanks!

[stateofidleness]

did you lose power steering? if you did, this would indicate a broken belt (which also drives the water pump and other stuff) causing the overheating.

if it is the belt, VERY EASY DIY!

if not, might be a hose or something, but a "clunk" seems odd for that...

[txhokie4life]

did you lose power steering? if you did, this would indicate a broken belt (which also drives the water pump and other stuff) causing the overheating.

if it is the belt, VERY EASY DIY!

if not, might be a hose or something, but a "clunk" seems odd for that...

I have a 2000 S whose water pump shaft sheared off.

Hopefully the white smoke was boiling over your coolant and not coming from exhaust.

Have them check that the coolant did not mix with the oil. If so -- bad news --

If there is mixture --- then time for a new engine if it is under warranty.

Mike

[Edman]

I did lose power steering. The white smoke was coming out of the engine vents on the sides of the car, and not from the exhaust (I will ask about that when I pick the car up). Thanks for the help!

Anyone have thoughts about an extended warranty?

[Loren]

Extended warranty will not (usually) cover normal wear items like hoses and belts.

[Edman]

Thanks, Loren. I wouldn't expect it to, but in this case the problem was that the water pump broke, or to use the words of the mechanic at the dealership "kind of exploded."

[Loren]

Thanks, Loren. I wouldn't expect it to, but in this case the problem was that the water pump broke, or to use the words of the mechanic at the dealership "kind of exploded."

Should be a fairly easy fix - tell them to make sure they get all the broken pieces out. They will need to flush the complete system to do that.