Questions relating to an imminent 2006 986 Boxster S purchase

[vitaminc]

Sounds like a clutch, which wouldn’t be surprising given the miles. Unless you’re in love with the car or they’re giving you a steep discount based on the needed repairs it’s probably a pass.

And I also feel like a used car manager should be able to diagnose a worn clutch…

Where are you located?

[WildThing]

Could simply be the clutch pressure plate. We shall soon find out.

[Tom]

Could simply be the clutch pressure plate. We shall soon find out.

The pressure plate squeezes/clamps the clutch disk against the flywheel, so is one of the three primary pieces that make up 'the clutch.' In other words, if the pressure plate is bad, then 'the clutch' is bad. Given the amount of effort needed to get to the clutch assembly, mechanics will almost always replace the clutch disk at the same time regardless of its condition (and resurface the flywheel if there's any doubt). And replacing the main seal and fixing the IMS (if needed) are no brainers too since it's all apart. Apologies if that's all obvious to you, but it's hard to know how mechanically savvy everyone is on the internet, and just wanted to make sure some salesman wasn't trying to play is down as "simply" the pressure plate (as if that's a trivial thing). All that said, replacing the clutch on a Boxster is a pretty straight-forward "remove and replace" job, and any good shop should be able to make it good as new. It's just not cheap, and if you end up doing other things while they have the access, it can add up fast. As long as that's all reflected in the price, it's all good.

[WildThing]

Sounds like a clutch, which wouldn’t be surprising given the miles. Unless you’re in love with the car or they’re giving you a steep discount based on the needed repairs it’s probably a pass.

And I also feel like a used car manager should be able to diagnose a worn clutch…

Where are you located?

It is most likely the clutch, and regardless of the miles, the last owner may have not been shifting smoothly ( i.e. he was ``riding the clutch`` too often). A clutch can get burnt in less than 5000 miles, from my 35 years of driving. The car is a relative bargain compared to others in the market at this time, and the manager is giving me 1st dibs on the purchase, before he puts it on the internet, or deals it off wholesale. My reasons for considering it are based on the equipment and that everything else works well.

He and I will make decisions once it goes to a Porsche specialist very soon. My only criteria is that all the major repairs are completed before I sign the papers. If the clutch repairs are too costly, and it surpases my budget for this car, he keeps the car, and I move on to something more recent that comes with a dealer certification and a 24 month warranty. End of story.

I live in Montreal, Quebec.

Regards,
Phil

[WildThing]

Could simply be the clutch pressure plate. We shall soon find out.

The pressure plate squeezes/clamps the clutch disk against the flywheel, so is one of the three primary pieces that make up 'the clutch.' In other words, if the pressure plate is bad, then 'the clutch' is bad. Given the amount of effort needed to get to the clutch assembly, mechanics will almost always replace the clutch disk at the same time regardless of its condition (and resurface the flywheel if there's any doubt). And replacing the main seal and fixing the IMS (if needed) are no brainers too since it's all apart. Apologies if that's all obvious to you, but it's hard to know how mechanically savvy everyone is on the internet, and just wanted to make sure some salesman wasn't trying to play is down as "simply" the pressure plate (as if that's a trivial thing). All that said, replacing the clutch on a Boxster is a pretty straight-forward "remove and replace" job, and any good shop should be able to make it good as new. It's just not cheap, and if you end up doing other things while they have the access, it can add up fast. As long as that's all reflected in the price, it's all good.

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the quick tutorial on the clutch components. Makes total sense to this non-mechanic. My last time under a hood was when I did a tune-up (plugs, wires, points, distributor cap) on a 70 1/2 Firebird 305 V8... ...and thought I knew it all

That was decades ago. With this mid-engine marvel that has a hidden engine, I must rely on specialists with lifts to keep me going.

As I mentioned in my last reply to vitaminc, the price will have to be right. I have been studying the market fior some time now, and up the ante if need be. This is going to be a personal hobby (and fun toy) for my retirement years.

Thank you so much for input. It is greatly appreciated !

Phil

[CornerCarver]

2006 was the first full year of the 3rd (and final) generation of the IMS bearing. It is FAR more reliable and so much so that once you learn more about it I don't think you'll feel motivated to change/update it unless you're in there for a clutch or RMS (rear main seal).

Randy in Bend
2006 987 Boxster S

[WildThing]

2006 was the first full year of the 3rd (and final) generation of the IMS bearing. It is FAR more reliable and so much so that once you learn more about it I don't think you'll feel motivated to change/update it unless you're in there for a clutch or RMS (rear main seal).

Randy in Bend
2006 987 Boxster S

Thanks for your encouragements. I have decided to pass on this purchase for 2 reasons; the carfax (or Carproof) shows it had 2 accidents, (when I insisted to continue only if it was original and claim free), and it is a 2005, not a 2006 as was originally the verdict. Very disappointing news considering the first condition was that there were no accidents, and 2, not knowing the year of the car? Not impressed, to say the least...

This thread is over AFAIAC

[Cairo94507]

To verify if the clutch is worn, once you are rolling, put it in 5th gear and step on the gas. If the revs climb and the car does not accelerate, you need a clutch.

[martin bourque]

This does not address your questions but I humbly suggest new Boxster owners purchase a service manual for the appropriate years. It saved me a lot of time and angst

[Cairo94507]

If the "used car manager" does not have a clue what is going on....I would want the car at a shop that recognizes a Porsche when it rolls in. Of course, get a PPI by a Porsche trained mechanic and all of that would need to be accomplished before I would consider a purchase.