2002 PORSCHE 718 BOXSTER S

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Metal shavings in oil during changes, Rattling or grinding from engine at startup, Sudden catastrophic engine failure with no warning, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes

Fix: Preventive replacement requires engine/trans drop (14-18 hours), new bearing, RMS, and clutch while in there. If it fails, you're looking at full engine rebuild or replacement. Most owners do preventive replacement if no service history exists.

Estimated cost: $2,500-4,000 preventive, $12,000-18,000 if engine grenades

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on cold start that clears after warm-up, Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), Rough idle when cold, smooths out warm, Loss of compression on one or more cylinders

Fix: Requires complete engine teardown and rebuild with Nikasil or sleeved cylinders, new pistons/rings, machine work. Some engines are more prone than others—early M96 engines worst. This is a 40-50 hour job minimum.

Estimated cost: $15,000-25,000

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Oil pooling on ground after parking, Oil film visible between engine and transmission bellhousing, Burning oil smell from clutch area, Clutch contamination causing slip if severe

Fix: Engine/trans separation required (12-16 hours). Always done with IMS bearing and clutch if mileage warrants. Seal itself is cheap, labor is the killer. Some seepage is tolerable, but heavy leaks contaminate the clutch.

Estimated cost: $2,000-3,500 standalone, often bundled with IMS/clutch work

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Coolant smell in cabin or under car, Visible coolant puddles under front trunk area, Low coolant warning light, Overheating if driven with major leak

Fix: Plastic tank cracks at seams, hoses become brittle. Tank replacement is 2-3 hours, but smart techs replace all coolant hoses at same time since they age identically. Neglect leads to overheating and possible head gasket damage.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting or engaging clutch, Excessive engine movement visible during rev, Vibration through chassis at idle, Difficulty finding gears smoothly

Fix: Rubber mounts fatigue and tear. Transmission mount most common (3-4 hours), engine mounts less frequent but more labor-intensive (6-8 hours combined). Affects drivability more than safety, but worn mounts stress other drivetrain components.

Estimated cost: $800-1,500 for trans mount, $1,800-3,000 for engine mounts

Symptoms: Top operates slowly or stops mid-cycle, Hydraulic fluid pooling in rear compartment, Top won't latch or unlatch properly, Whining noise from hydraulic pump

Fix: Hydraulic cylinders, lines, or pump seals fail. Diagnosis takes 1-2 hours, repair varies by component (3-6 hours typical). Not a safety issue but annoying and can strand the top open or closed. Fluid is messy and stains interior.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust on deceleration, Excessive crankcase pressure, Oil sucked into intake causing rough running, Failed emissions test due to high oil consumption

Fix: AOS membrane fails allowing oil into intake manifold. Replacement requires removal of intake components and associated hardware (4-6 hours). Not as catastrophic as IMS/scoring but will damage catalytic converters if ignored long-term.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400