Cayman potential for engine failures

[JM1962]

I was going to buy a 996 or early 997 but am worried about the possibility of engine failure, so thinking of getting a Cayman instead. Have read about the 3.4 engine so was toying with the idea of a 2.7 or 2.9 which in theory should be more reliable. I have not heard of any issues with these engines. Any thoughts please?

[mollytherocker]

They are indeed believed to be more reliable overall but not totally exempt from the usual issues.

[nick997]

There's a thread on this fairly recently where Baz from Hartech and others in the know contributed, not immune but a safer bet than other cars. Here it is: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Magic919]

Just don't buy a 56 plate Cayman S.

[paulmoonraker]

Magic919 said:

Just don't buy a 56 plate Cayman S.

Why? I thought it was all Gen 1's

[Magic919]

Most of the ones I've read about on here with problems were 56 plate S models.

[JM1962]

Nick997, thanks for that link, I hadn't seen that thread before and it eases my concerns about bore scoring and D chunking. It seems generally accepted that there is no ims problem after 2006. It seems the 2.9 might be the way to go as power is not that much down on the early 3.4S.

[Trev450]

The gen 2 3.4 appears to be fairing reasonably well too.

[paulmoonraker]

I worried a bit when I first got my S, but then kept an eye on oil etc (I understand it uses a bit if the bores are scored), and also did some research which suggests certain driving patterns may exacerbate the situation. I don't cane the car, at least anywhere were the temperature of the engine would become an issue.

I have driven a 2.9 and yes, they are not miles off the 3.4.

[Bennachie]

I disagree, the 2.9 is light years off the 3.4 BUT in normal road driving they are 'closer'.

The 'S' fells 'nicer'.

[Helicopter123]

JM1962 said:

I was going to buy a 996 or early 997 but am worried about the possibility of engine failure, so thinking of getting a Cayman instead. Have read about the 3.4 engine so was toying with the idea of a 2.7 or 2.9 which in theory should be more reliable. I have not heard of any issues with these engines. Any thoughts please?

If you're worried about engine issues and budget permits, bag a 997.2 - no reported engine issues to date.

[nick997]

JM1962 said:

Nick997, thanks for that link, I hadn't seen that thread before and it eases my concerns about bore scoring and D chunking. It seems generally accepted that there is no ims problem after 2006. It seems the 2.9 might be the way to go as power is not that much down on the early 3.4S.

You're welcome. I was going to go for a 2.7 but somehow persuaded myself into a 2.9 which I pick up next Saturday. I've typed that into almost every thread I've been in since I did the deal on Thursday. Not that I'm looking forward to getting it or anything...

[Raitzi]

I know a guy with 2009 Boxster S 50k km which had problem with the pistons. The whole engine had to be replaced and factory did not take part on costs(16k€). Other guy reported same thing on Cayman S but it was not clear if the car was 1st 2nd gen.



Also there is this post:
http://www.planet-9.com/cayman-boxster-problems-co...

Edited by Raitzi on Sunday 4th November 07:15

Edited by Raitzi on Sunday 4th November 17:56

[Chrisp5782]

Any Cayman from '06 onwards is a good bet.

[Mermaid]

Chrisp5782 said:

Any Cayman from '06 onwards is a good bet.

Not many before that, are there?

[steve singh]

paulmoonraker said:

I don't cane the car, at least anywhere were the temperature of the engine would become an issue.

Surely the constant worry and not being able to drive a performance car in the way it should be, makes the whole experience crap?

Screw Porsche and their crap engineering, rubbish back-up support and restrictive warranties - I really hope punters vote with their feet and stop buying their rubbish.

Teach Porsche a lesson.

My next car is definitely either going to be a GT3 or most probably a different brand altogether.

[Mermaid]

steve singh said:

Teach Porsche a lesson.

My next car is definitely either going to be a GT3 or most probably a different brand altogether.

Porsche don't need to be taught lessons.


http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Chrisp5782]

Mermaid said:

Not many before that, are there?

Quite right, what I should've said was any Cayman / Boxster.

Having said that, there have been reports of early '06 Caymans that were actually built in the '05 MY that had the old style IMS bearing that have failed so I guess I'm not a million miles off. Chances are if your car is an early '06 it's an '05 manufacture with the possibility of a weak IMS.

[Chrisp5782]

All that being said I've had enough of the risk and I'm getting out of mine at the earliest opportunity.

Whilst I still have reasonable confidence I'm jumping ship, just not sure what to yet?

[Dan911]

So am I reading this right..

A 2006> 3.4 S is a better bet in terms of IMS and other engine problems?

How can you tell if a car is a 2006? Is there a chassis number difference or spec change? (who is to say a vehicle had not sat around from 2005 in a showroom and reg'd in 2006)

Thinking of a 3.4 S myself...

Reading the world of forum's a larger (X51) sump car help along with a low temp thermostat and GT3 VOS ( whatever a VOS is?)