Boxster 99 rattle, dark smoke, engine stopped, AAA

[jackpjr]

Started up a bridge, heard a rattle bouncing off the bridge rail, smelled smoke, dark smoke came from under car near wheel well, and engine quit. The engine does not turn over at all but the car does have power for all the rest. Any ideas? Live in Ft. Lauderdale and would be willing to take anyone out to lunch if they can come over and advise me as to what the problem is. I took the H1N1 shot but the car has the symptoms. Steak if simple and McDonalds if engine. Oh and you have to drive. See ya soon -

[mikes_box]

Unfortunately it sounds like the ims might have gone bye bye. That is what the rattling may have been. Let's hope not as that would mean a new engine..:

[jackpjr]

Unfortunately it sounds like the ims might have gone bye bye. That is what the rattling may have been. Let's hope not as that would mean a new engine..:

No - Don't tell me that - Here is some more info - When I try to start the car - it does nothing. No noise of trying to turn the engine or anything. Would this also be in line with what you are thinking?

[pk2]

You spin a fine yarn but I'm afraid I'll have to take a delux combo (diet coke please). Asuming your starter makes a click but refuses to budge dosen't bode well for finer steak houses in the greater fort lauderdale area.

What I would do is systematically detatch all the devices that run directly off the engine to make sure they are not frozen and causing your prob. (kinda wishfull but...). Use a big wrench on the front of the cranck to turn Start easy, removal of the front serpenten belt will rull out A.C, P.S, alternator, etc. Next, the starter and whatever else that might be up there. Lift it up and turn the back wheels se that there are. loose. Sinse your probably still frozen, last hope is to separate the motor from the trans incase it is frozen.

Oh yea, no pickles on the deluxe.

Regards, PK

[jackpjr]

You spin a fine yarn but I'm afraid I'll have to take a delux combo (diet coke please). Asuming your starter makes a click but refuses to budge dosen't bode well for finer steak houses in the greater fort lauderdale area.

What I would do is systematically detatch all the devices that run directly off the engine to make sure they are not frozen and causing your prob. (kinda wishfull but...). Use a big wrench on the front of the cranck to turn Start easy, removal of the front serpenten belt will rull out A.C, P.S, alternator, etc. Next, the starter and whatever else that might be up there. Lift it up and turn the back wheels se that there are. loose. Sinse your probably still frozen, last hope is to separate the motor from the trans incase it is frozen.

Oh yea, no pickles on the deluxe.

Regards, PK

Ok I have done a few more things to research this. I have the Durametric cable/software and no faults have shown up but doesn't the car have to be running to get that to work? I have removed the panel behind the seats as suggested to make sure the belt was in place and it is. I am not getting anything from the starter at all. No attempt to turn the engine or engagement from the starter at all. I have notice in the past that the starter did make a little hum after turning the car on for just a milisecond. I am going to get the garage cleaned out on Monday or Tuesday and get the project started as suggested. If you guys have anything else you recommend different from above, I would love to hear it. Something like, "oh yea that happened to me and I just replaced a .05 cent fuse and away I went", would be nice. McD's is on me - Do they have a 2 for 1 deal meal? Boy am I going to loose weight - lets call this the Boxster diet. Step 1 - Boxster breaks down. Step 2 - use all your money to fix it. Step 3 - you cannot afford food for the next few years. Step 3 - Count your ribs in the mirror because at this point they are not abs. Step 4 - repeat often until you reach your goal weight. :censored:

[txhokie4life]

You spin a fine yarn but I'm afraid I'll have to take a delux combo (diet coke please). Asuming your starter makes a click but refuses to budge dosen't bode well for finer steak houses in the greater fort lauderdale area.

What I would do is systematically detatch all the devices that run directly off the engine to make sure they are not frozen and causing your prob. (kinda wishfull but...). Use a big wrench on the front of the cranck to turn Start easy, removal of the front serpenten belt will rull out A.C, P.S, alternator, etc. Next, the starter and whatever else that might be up there. Lift it up and turn the back wheels se that there are. loose. Sinse your probably still frozen, last hope is to separate the motor from the trans incase it is frozen.

Oh yea, no pickles on the deluxe.

Regards, PK

Ok I have done a few more things to research this. I have the Durametric cable/software and no faults have shown up but doesn't the car have to be running to get that to work? I have removed the panel behind the seats as suggested to make sure the belt was in place and it is. I am not getting anything from the starter at all. No attempt to turn the engine or engagement from the starter at all. I have notice in the past that the starter did make a little hum after turning the car on for just a milisecond. I am going to get the garage cleaned out on Monday or Tuesday and get the project started as suggested. If you guys have anything else you recommend different from above, I would love to hear it. Something like, "oh yea that happened to me and I just replaced a .05 cent fuse and away I went", would be nice. McD's is on me - Do they have a 2 for 1 deal meal? Boy am I going to loose weight - lets call this the Boxster diet. Step 1 - Boxster breaks down. Step 2 - use all your money to fix it. Step 3 - you cannot afford food for the next few years. Step 3 - Count your ribs in the mirror because at this point they are not abs. Step 4 - repeat often until you reach your goal weight. :censored:

A few things --

1) Pedro is just down the road --

2) See if you can turn the crank with a socket wrench, it should turn with some effort and should never stick.

When I say effort -- assuming a 16" handle or so maybe a little longer -- you should be able to turn it

with some effort. If it will not turn -- than you might have broke something inside.

(the crank is the middle pulley that has a tear drop hole in the front)

If it does turn -- that does not rule out an IMS issue.

there are some more advanced things you can do to determine things a little further -- but

unless you want to be mechanically inclined -- I would start there and see what happens.

You might have also had a D-chunk failure. With this you are unlikely to be able to turn the

crank and you will not be able to tell without tear down or borescope.

good luck --

mike

[jackpjr]

You spin a fine yarn but I'm afraid I'll have to take a delux combo (diet coke please). Asuming your starter makes a click but refuses to budge dosen't bode well for finer steak houses in the greater fort lauderdale area.

What I would do is systematically detatch all the devices that run directly off the engine to make sure they are not frozen and causing your prob. (kinda wishfull but...). Use a big wrench on the front of the cranck to turn Start easy, removal of the front serpenten belt will rull out A.C, P.S, alternator, etc. Next, the starter and whatever else that might be up there. Lift it up and turn the back wheels se that there are. loose. Sinse your probably still frozen, last hope is to separate the motor from the trans incase it is frozen.

Oh yea, no pickles on the deluxe.

Regards, PK

Ok I have done a few more things to research this. I have the Durametric cable/software and no faults have shown up but doesn't the car have to be running to get that to work? I have removed the panel behind the seats as suggested to make sure the belt was in place and it is. I am not getting anything from the starter at all. No attempt to turn the engine or engagement from the starter at all. I have notice in the past that the starter did make a little hum after turning the car on for just a milisecond. I am going to get the garage cleaned out on Monday or Tuesday and get the project started as suggested. If you guys have anything else you recommend different from above, I would love to hear it. Something like, "oh yea that happened to me and I just replaced a .05 cent fuse and away I went", would be nice. McD's is on me - Do they have a 2 for 1 deal meal? Boy am I going to loose weight - lets call this the Boxster diet. Step 1 - Boxster breaks down. Step 2 - use all your money to fix it. Step 3 - you cannot afford food for the next few years. Step 3 - Count your ribs in the mirror because at this point they are not abs. Step 4 - repeat often until you reach your goal weight. :censored:

A few things --

1) Pedro is just down the road --

2) See if you can turn the crank with a socket wrench, it should turn with some effort and should never stick.

When I say effort -- assuming a 16" handle or so maybe a little longer -- you should be able to turn it

with some effort. If it will not turn -- than you might have broke something inside.

(the crank is the middle pulley that has a tear drop hole in the front)

If it does turn -- that does not rule out an IMS issue.

there are some more advanced things you can do to determine things a little further -- but

unless you want to be mechanically inclined -- I would start there and see what happens.

You might have also had a D-chunk failure. With this you are unlikely to be able to turn the

crank and you will not be able to tell without tear down or borescope.

good luck --

mike

Ok - I have removed the Serp belt and have hand turned all the devices but the engine. That one is pretty stiff probably due to the fact that it is not on stands and i am not pressing the clutch in. Ok Ok - I am trying to use my inner power of suggestion and hope - let me dream **** it. I didnot see any visible signs of wear on the belt to suggest anything froze up and was causing the smoke and smell - The next thing I would like to accomplish is to take a look at the starter but I cannot see it from the panel on top or bottom. I am assuming I need to jack it up and look at it. I will be buying the "How to replace an engine for dummies" book very soon and starting the project in my garage. Wish me luck - did anyone say they were close to me in Ft. Lauderdale? Come by and pick me up for a ride from time to time so I can keep excited about owning a Boxster. Even if it is in the garage and up on blocks.

Edited November 30, 2009 by jackpjr

[Jake Raby]

Sounds like a classic MOF#14 to me.. Piston failure.

Been there, done that have the pieces on the trophy shelf to prove it..

There are lots of things that have this same set of symptoms, like a slipped sleeve, D chunk failure, etc, etc,etc..

[pk2]

You have to find out if the motor turns at all.

Now that the serpentine is off you have to get a big socket wrench as txholi4life said and try turn the crank. it's not easy but if you can torque it around a bit (1/2 turn or so), this is a good sign.

If your starter isn't even clicking, you also may not be frozen at all. It is located on the top of the engine towards the rear firewall. You can take a known, well charged battery, run jumper cables to it. Clip the ground to the block in the vicinity of starter and stab the the red lead at the large cable terminal on the starter. If it does nothing, you have 2 problems; the starter and ??.

When you jump the starter as described, make sure there are no gas fumes or puddles of in the engine bay.

Regards, PK

[jackpjr]

Ok - found the starter - now I have no ibrows - look at me, "ibrows" like it is an iphone app - eyebrows. I saw flashes of light and now I have my hearing back .... just adding some humor to the post. I tried to turn the crankshaft with a wrench but the wrench was not tight enough so I am off to the store to get a socket to fit. Since I am getting into this now I think I might webcam my mechanical skills so you all can watch for ammusement. And also, when the engine falls on me you can call 911. I think I have a reality show in the making. Also, do any of you recommend a workshop manual? I have one for my truck on CD and kinda like that option of viewing on the fly.

[seafeye]

Started up a bridge, heard a rattle bouncing off the bridge rail, smelled smoke, dark smoke came from under car near wheel well, and engine quit. The engine does not turn over at all but the car does have power for all the rest. Any ideas? Live in Ft. Lauderdale and would be willing to take anyone out to lunch if they can come over and advise me as to what the problem is. I took the H1N1 shot but the car has the symptoms. Steak if simple and McDonalds if engine. Oh and you have to drive. See ya soon -

Do you remember what RPM you were at when it happened?

I believe 100% with Jake that low RPM with the boxster engine is Death. Way too much torque on too many chains.

Sorry to hear about your loss. I have a 2.5 case if you need it. Cheap

[pk2]

As long as you still have hair on your chest your good, not to worry. Did the starter try to move? shouldn't have got a huge spark if you hit the right terminal.

PK

Edited December 2, 2009 by pk2

[jackpjr]

You guys crack me up. Right terminal - haha - funny --- it was the one sticking out of the side of the car right? I didn't even have the battery connected. I was just working my way down the opening to get to the terminal. Boy oh boy. I think I have control of my bowels. Oh wait. Be right back.

[dallison]

update?

[pk2]

Chuckles apparently thinks we're in it for a laugh. Inside I'm busted up allover.

PK

[jackpjr]

Hey fellas - Sorry for the delay in the update - Been working and not able to get to the car yet - I will have it in my garage by this weekend and then the work will start. As far as my humor - I need it right now becuase I know my vahina will be hurting as soon as I realize I need a new engine. Bare with me boys - I will be posting pics along the way.

[Steve Tinker]

Jack - the Bentleys manual is the one most people use - not perfect but good, though no engine teardown is given in the text.

Before you rupture yourself turning the engine under compression (assuming you - err - have compression), try removing the spark plugs. First it will be easier to turn over and second the plugs may give you an indication of which cylinder (if any) is giving you heartburn.

[jackpjr]

Ok guys - was finally able to work on the car - I have removed the starter and taken it to a local shop and it is fried. I will have a new one delivered on Monday. Kinda sounds odd that I was driving and the starter failed causing the engine to stop. Does this sound right? I am still on the fence but atleast I have a starting point with the failed starter. Any comments?

[N41EF]

So, with the starter removed, have you tried to turn the engine over with the crank pulley? I can think of two possible failures:

1. The starter hung up, and the bendix stayed engaged, you oversped it and smoked it. It makes ALOT of noise when this happens.

2. You shorted the starter when you tried to jump it.

Try to turn the engine before you put the starter back on.

[jackpjr]

I will attempt to turn the engine on Monday before I put the starter back in. I never tried to jump it because I always had juice so #2 is probably not it. I think I did comment that I was hearing the starter spin or make a noise after the engine was engaged. It kind of sounded like it was winding down or spinning down. Let's keep our fingers crossed guys - Happy New Year.

[jackpjr]

Ok guys - I have tried to turn the engine by hand and was not able to get it to turn. Hooked up the starter to just give it a try and see if it would work. The engine is turning and it tries to start but cannot get it to stay started. The engine wheel connected to the serpentine belt is turning and all looks good. Just seems to be at the point but not quite there. Any advise on this step? Battery is charged and on a charger to start - I turned the key on and left it on to let the car register everything. Read somewhere to let it stay connected to juice for a bit to let the computer calculate something.

[jackpjr]

I am able to keep it started for a about a minute or so - I does sound like the starter is still engaged while the engine is going. This may be why the engine does not have the freedom to keep going is that the starter is still engaged. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I will search the forums to see. Thanks guys. Jack

[jackpjr]

Ok guys - got the ignition switch in the mail and installed in about 30 minutes - I have hand cramps already. Turned the key and the engine is still struggling to keep started. I can pump the gas and keep it going but the engine will not idle on its own.

[txhokie4life]

Ok guys - got the ignition switch in the mail and installed in about 30 minutes - I have hand cramps already. Turned the key and the engine is still struggling to keep started. I can pump the gas and keep it going but the engine will not idle on its own.

Have you checked the timing?

Can you tell if you are getting back pressure into the intake?

We had one that was off a few teeth on the camshaft -- it would turn over -- but it was not

happy and would not idle.

m

[jackpjr]

Ok guys - got the ignition switch in the mail and installed in about 30 minutes - I have hand cramps already. Turned the key and the engine is still struggling to keep started. I can pump the gas and keep it going but the engine will not idle on its own.

Have you checked the timing?

Can you tell if you are getting back pressure into the intake?

We had one that was off a few teeth on the camshaft -- it would turn over -- but it was not

happy and would not idle.

m

Not sure on how to check the intake - Hints? I hooked it up to the Durametric tool again this morning and now I am getting P0300, P03001, P03003. Misfire issues - Would this be a condition of the MAF sensor? Some of these posts indicate a coil issue.