DavidNoon

Aloha, Recently I owned a 1998 Boxster with an engine problem. At first we thought the problem was caused by a bad engine computer but the problem was actually a blown head gasket on cylinder no.4. I purchased a new engine computer but it was never used for two reasons. The first reason is that when you install a new computer it has to be booted by an external computer which we didn't have here on Maui and the second reason was that it wasn't the problem in the first place. The numbers on the computer are as follows: Bosch Motronic, 996.618.601.04. This computer is for a 1997 to 2001 Boxster. Mine was a 1998 2.5. This computer is available if anyone needs it. Please contact me for details. It is shippable by Flat Rate mail. Dave

Up-Date on Boxter Engine Timing Aloha Everyone, I really appreciate everyones help in getting my car running. I would like to up-date everyone on the situation. Yesterday we pulled the camshaft cover back off the engine to look at their positions and check the compression on all three cylinders. The compression was good and there has been no contact with valves or pistons. The cams were exactly where they belong as per the pictures of the head and camshafts we took before we pulled it apart. We re-assembled the head yesterday but the engine still will not run. There is no spark on any on the plugs including 4-6 as well as 1-3. I stuck my computer on the car and it does not read the VIN number any longer. We "reset" the computer during the time we were trying to set the timing on the car. We believe the computer is not allowing the spark. Is there a way to get the computer to get back to normal? Does the computer need to be reset by the Porsche guy here in town and do I need to take the car there or just the computer? I was thinking the computer might have factory de-fault settings that it could be moved back to by providing the VIN number and connecting the computer to another "programming computer". Everything on the engine is fine, compression is good and the timing is right on. It was probably a mistake to reset the computer. What we did to do this was use the portable computer you plug into the socket on the drivers side to erase the current settings. At the time we thought the computer in the car was getting false signals and was preventing us from getting the timing right. These problems can lead a person to pull out their hair. Mahalo

Aloha Again, I need to clarify something. We are only adjusting the cam timing within the slots on the timing gear. The pistons and valves are not making contact. We have been from one end of the range to the other more than once but the engine still doesn't want to start. At the beginning when we were checking the compression on cylinders 1-3 the engine would actually start and run on 4-6. The compression on 1-3 is good right now. We will check it again today. How would the special tools help me now? We now also have the Mitchel on-line manual available but it doesn't seem to be much help. We'll be back out there again today but I question what our results are going to be. I appreciate anyones help in this matter. Mahalo Nui Loa David Noon

Aloha Everyone. I have a 1998 Boxster, 2.5 engine, 5 speed. My engine had a blown head gasket on cylinder number three. My mechanic and I pulled the cylinder head and replaced the gasket among many other things. We did not have a manual nor did we know about any special tools to keep the camshaft aligned but we did tie off the chains and marked the camshafts before we removed them. We finished our work on the engine and put everything back as it was. The engine started and ran good but we though it was just a bit off so we changed the camshaft timing a little and restarted the engine. It was worse so we did it again. Again it was worse and got it is so far off we can't seem to find it again. We have spent hours trying to get it re-timed but still no luck. Is there a way to time the camshafts ( 1 - 3) besides just trial and error? The camshaft timing gear stays in place but the camshafts move sometimes when the bolts are loosened and a valve spring pushes them out of the way. When this happens we have to start all over again. The computer seems to keep the engine from firing when we are to far off which doesn't help anything. Surly we are not the first ones to make this mistake. Cylinders 4 - 6 are still at the original settings as we only pulled down one head. Any Takers on this one? Mahalo Nui Loa David Noon

Aloha Joel, L.E.D. or Light Emitting Diodes are not bulbs not and they do not break like bulbs. They do burn out though. They are made of plastic and have a molded lens built in the top of them. The junction that lights up when energized is a Galium Arsonide diode junction that emits light in different colors (depending on the substraight material and the voltage applied). These are generally not available in auto parts stores but you can try an electronics supply house such as Allied Electronics. You will probably need to install these yourself. At twelve volts a 560 ohm .5watt resister will also need to be installed in series with the LED. They are polorized so plus and minus is important. They will only light when connected properly. If you need more help with schematics drop me a line. I am in the process of switching all of the lights on my Boxster to LEDs save the headlights. They will remain the same except for the LED angel eye rings I am building. Mahalo Dave

Recently I bought a 98 Boxster with a 2.5 and a five speed transmission. The car was misfiring on two cylinders when I bought it. It has been to a couple of shops but those guys didn't know what they were doing. I've made more progress on my own with the help of this website. My question is: will the computer "reset" when all of the problems have been corrected or should I disconnect the battery for a while in hopes the computer will go back to some kind of default settings where it can start over again when the battery is re-connected? The car runs correctly now but the engine light fades in and out. I changed two coils, plugs and injectors on the passenger side. The air cleaner was replaced as well. There are no other trouble lights on and the codes are good. I really enjoy this car. I also had problems with the spoiler and the top. Mahalo for the great website and your comments in advance.