986 Boxster - DIYable or not?

986s have always made me tight in the pants, and they are getting really cheap. There are a couple for $4k-ish in my area that smoke like crazy, but have low miles and seem otherwise OK; isn't there some kind of common oil separator failure or something that causes this? I am starting to think I don't want to hack the Alfa up for HPDE duty since they are really starting to rise in value. The Boxster seems like it would be a logical step up but the IMS failure horror stories make me a bit nervous. But then again they are getting SO cheap that it almost seems worthwhile for a newer P-car.

What say ye, GRM?

DIY has many levels. To me, it is DIY-able, because it's only a car, I have enough tools to just about fix a space shuttle, and I like challenges.

As to the smoking problem, could very well be, but with any "new" car purchase, all the basics should be checked.

And I haven't kept up on the P-car lingo/car naming, which is it and what is an IMS?

Doable. A local ex-VW mechanic is transitioning to Porsches. He picked up a pristine 986 with moderate shaft issues for $6K, worked the engine over with some new & used parts, and now daily-drives his first Porsche for under $8K all-in.

Ranger50 wrote: And I haven't kept up on the P-car lingo/car naming, which is it and what is an IMS?

InterMediate Shaft (I know, right?)

Yup. http://boxsterguide.blogspot.com/2010/09/intermediate-shaft-ims-bearing-info-and.html

Thank you. Too many acronyms to keep track of nowadays and then it is an unfamiliar brand to me.

Based on the blog, yup, overengineered German with no real rhyme or reason to anything and where it gets placed. But still, that was a simple, yet time consuming repair.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=BK-145835&catalog_description=101%20Projects%20for%20Your%20Porsche%20Boxster%2C%20by%20Wayne%20R.%20Dempsey

I'd say yes, but I have a lift and won't bat an eye at buying some odd-ball tool that I'll use once every three years to make a job go a bit easier.

Also, you're going to need snow tires up there.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/porsche-cayman-s-boxster-s-michelin-pilot-alpin-winter-wheels-and-tires/55020/page1/

Hehe, I'm looking to buy next spring at the soonest, but I'll keep that in mind!

For what it's worth it sounds like pulling the engine for an IMS retrofit is not that huge of a deal.

I don't find it terrible to DIY, but be careful with anything that looks like it might break. Be careful with the stuff that looks like it will survive a nuke. It is all fragile. Small hands help, so keep that in mind if you are Mr. Bananahands.

Also remember, very little engine access being as there's no openable engine cover. Everything has to be done from underneath, or very early cars have an access panel behind the seat.

I currently own a 986 Boxster and I have and will continue to do all maintenace tasks myself on it. All 986 and 987 Boxsters have engine access from the bottom, underneath the convertable top (takes five minutes to open) an behind the seats...all of them. I have yet found a single component that was hard for me to replace on this car. I have just replaced my clutch and aside from idiots at certain parts vendors getting me the wrong items it was extremely easy to do. I replaced my oil air seperator ($80 online) my IMS bearing ($800 including special tool and upgraded bearing), all coils ($25 ea online), cv axles ($60 ea online) everything was easy to get to, no uncessary language or anything involved. It is as easy as the Miata to work on and way easier than my Evo.