Remove your M96 engine

[yeeha68]

The best oil change EVER!

I didn’t like the $3,000 price tag the shop gave me to repair my valve issue, so I decided to tackle it myself. I figured if the engine has to come out, you might as well do some overall maintenance tasks too. And you know the old saying...If you want it done right, you have to do it yourself.

It took some time to get my nerve up, and I had to read a lot of posts, and ask a lot of questions (thanks to everyone who participants in these forums) and I'm sure I still have more to learn before I get it back in the car, but for all of you who have ever considered tackling this job, I'll share my opinion that yes, it is possible, and not as challenging as you may think. That being said, if you are shy about changing your oil or brake pads, don’t come down this road yet.

I assembled a documentation page www.nutrod.com for all who are interested, and I hope sharing this helps others in their quest for information. As I update it, I will let everyone know here.

www.nutrod.com

[phillipj]

Yeeha68,

I took a look at your site and I have to say you've done an excellent job! :clapping: I commend you for tackling this project with no previous experience.

I look forward to seeing the reassembly photos. Is there anything that sticks out as the most difficult in the process so far? How long did you prep and learn before you actually started?

Awesome work and please keep us posted!

:beer:

[1schoir]

Yeeha:

Thanks for taking the time to document your work and sharing the experience.

Very impressive and methodical. Your photos are truly worth 1000 words.

My favorite is the making of Special Porsche Tool 9611 out of what appears to be TREX composite decking! If that's what it is, hats off to you for ingenuity and for finding a clever way around that little Porsche monopoly! :clapping:

The suspended and cloaked hardtop in the first photo is quite a treat also.

Keep up the good work!

Regards, Maurice.

[yeeha68]

Phillipj,

I spent a good month reading and researching. There really wasn’t anything technically difficult, all the fittings came off without resistance and the whole removal was fairly smooth. But no matter how much homework you do, you still have to do some creative problem solving on the fly, like building wood blocks to help secure the transmission, and the occasional surprise Porsche bolt you didn’t expect to find. For instance, as you are removing all the standard bolts for the transmission to engine you’ll come across ONE bolt that is a 10mm triple square and you can’t get a socket in there. Like a small key lock. Evil Germans.

Maurice,

I did in fact have the TREX board for the tool, but at the last second used another composite board used for lattice. About $6 at your local Home Depot. It was a smoother finish so I wouldn’t run the risk of scratching the Cams.

-k

[jthailer]

I went on your website. How did you know the spring was broken? I can't tell from the pictures.

[yeeha68]

I went on your website. How did you know the spring was broken? I can't tell from the pictures.

You can tell right away just by touch. It is very loose. In this picture you can see the visual signs. Over time springs can become weak and break. Right now, as I wait out this cold weather, I'm trying to decide if I should go ahead and replace all of them, so there is an equal amount of presure across the board.

-k

[Sputter]

Very nice man, thanks for sharing. It's a great addition to my favorite bookmarks. Out of curiosity, how were the lifters? any stuck?

Again, awesome job and thanks for sharing.

Jim

I went on your website. How did you know the spring was broken? I can't tell from the pictures.

You can tell right away just by touch. It is very loose. In this picture you can see the visual signs. Over time springs can become weak and break. Right now, as I wait out this cold weather, I'm trying to decide if I should go ahead and replace all of them, so there is an equal amount of presure across the board.

-k

[juniinc]

:clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

[txhokie4life]

Very, very nice -- what was your original symptoms and how was it diagnosed?

thx,

Mike

[yeeha68]

Very, very nice -- what was your original symptoms and how was it diagnosed?

thx,

Mike

Loss of power, error codes on bank 2 (mis fires cyl 4,5,6). I spent too much time trouble shooting plugs, coils, and other entities. I forgot the most basic of all golden rules...CHECK THE COMPRESSION FIRST. I found no compression in cyl. #4. I figured it had to be a bad valve issue. On my soap box for a line or two..To all reading, Go out and get a compression gauge. They are cheap and will save you hours of trouble shooting. Use them first.

[yeeha68]

For all interested...Warm weather appeared and I tackled the secondary air system this week. Nasty little system. Pictures and narrative as well as a blog added: www.nutrod.com

[mrrogers]

For all interested...Warm weather appeared and I tackled the secondary air system this week. Nasty little system. Pictures and narrative as well as a blog added: www.nutrod.com

Thanks for your detailed slide show. Are you planning on replacing your IMS bearing?

[Jinster]

Superb. Thanks for your efforts in documenting this for other's benefit.

[yeeha68]

Updates...Its ALIVE!

I finally found the time to complete the build last week. This car has never performed as well as it does now.

More pictures and notes for all who are interested. As soon as I get the chance I will summarize everything that was done. The site will continue to grow as I gather my thoughts, but for now its packed full of plenty of info.

Enjoy;

www.nutrod.com

[phillipj]

amazing...

[number9ine]

Awesome work. One day I'll get my hands this dirty... Kudos to you Yeeha!

[BoxsterTaff]

Yeeha this is great work! It looks like a brand new motor! I have only recently (1 week!) bought a 97'boxster with 87k on the clock.....I am already planning to do what you have done here next winter, you make it look very manageable with the right tools and equipment......I would feel much better with new chains, gaskets and seals on the block.

Thanks for a great post!

Andy

[jvcuenca]

that's awesome!!! saved your website on my favorites for future reference!

[Thumper]

I like the use of the Harbor Freight Motorcycle jack to handle the removal/install. I have been eyeing that jack for some time and now I have another good reason to pick one up. Well done, well documented. Haven't seen the engine support at Harbor Freight that you used. I'm going to have to add that to the list for the next time I go tool shoppin'.

[Wayne R. Dempsey]

Cool photos. It looks like you might have been able to get that valve spring replaced with the engine in the car. Access is tight, but there are tools available that can compress it with it still installed? Here's my rendition of the engine drop: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/15-ENGINE-Engine_Drop/15-ENGINE-Engine_Drop.htm

Hope this helps someone,

Wayne

[minny]

Just to say i take my hat off for a great job done. I've kept your link in my favourites folder even though i have a 996.