1998 Porsche Boxster - Overheated - Oil in cylinders

[benjiradio]

Hi, I have acquired a 1998 Porsche Boxster 2.5L Automatic with what Im assuming is a blown engine. 61k orig miles

It turns over fine, will not fire.

I pulled a couple plugs and they both had oil on them.

I read a quote from a mechanic(found in the boot) that said the car had overheated.

Here are the few questions I have. Could this be blown head gaskets? If it is blow by past the rings then why is it in all the cylinders(im assuming)? Any other info would be great too. Thanks

pic for fun

Edited April 8, 2011 by benjiradio

[JFP in PA]

The only way to know what you are dealing with is to check the engine out (run a leak down test, pressure test the cooling system, pull the oil filter and cut it open, drop the sump cover, etc.). These engines do not like being hot, tend to start cracking heads, and the early blocks had other issues as well.

[N41EF]

I'd change the oil to look for coolant in it, then do a compression check. Check for oil in the expansion tank. The oil cooler can be a source of water, so it might be something simple. Compression will let you know big picture if the engine is good. A leakdown test checks rings and wear. You can get a compression tester cheap if you can't borrow one. Let us know what you find.

[JFP in PA]

A leak down test will often catch very small leaks caused by minute head or block cracks as well as head gasket failures that get missed or classified as cylinder to cylinder variations in a compression test routine. Yes it costs more, but it gives more definitive information.

[mikefocke]

I'm guessing because the only real way you'll ever know is to get the engine to an expert and have the engine gone over as there are almost 2 dozen potential engine failure causes. $$$

However, as a stab take off the engine cover and locate the air filter. Now access the intake to the right of the air filter up to and including the throttle body. Oil filled? Then suspect the AOS and clean the intake, throttle body, replace the plugs with clean ones and replace the AOS. Now see what happens (expecting lots of smoke for lots of miles). But there are also many internal weaknesses that could have caused the symptoms.

Beware..P-car parts are going to be expensive and experts are going to expect to be paid $$. The link below outlines your options.

My link

[Cloudsurfer]

I'll agree with others: run a compression and leak down check and see what that tells you. If the internals of the engine seem OK based on the results, then look at the air/oil separator and coolant/ oil heat exchanger. If you get that far, change the oil and flush the coolant and go drive it around. If you get intermix and/or detect combustion gasses in the coolant, then you've either got a blown head gasket or internal engine issues (slipped sleeve, D-chunk liner failure, head crack). If you have none of the above, congrats on getting a killer deal (I'm assuming you didn't pay much for this car). If it's a blown head gasket or cracked head, that can be dealt with for not an obscene amount of money. If you have internal engine issues, time to start shopping for a motor.....