2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola

Update - The £167 spend made no difference to the car (only to my wallet). The car is still stuttering and switching itself off when it wants. No Engine management light on the dash and my code reader shows nothing wrong.

I decided to take the plunge and replace the MAF next. The pervious owner let me know that he had replaced the MAF for a non Bosch one back when he had the car about 8 years ago. He opted for a BREMI unit. I ordered the Bosch part and this arrived on Xmas eve thanks to DHL. I dare not start car jobs on Xmas eve or over the festive season, so started work last night.


Fitted this late last night after being dragged around Oxford Westgate, sale shopping. I didn't realise that sale shopping means going out with no idea at all what you want and then just wandering around every shop until something takes your fancy....When something does catch your eye, you must touch it and then say "Its not quite what i am looking for".....

Any ways, when i got back home, I decided to do smoothing productive to avoid a wasted day.

I used the 101 projects for your Boxster book as a reference. If you have a boxster, buy this book!

Engine exposed.


MAF located 



Removed old MAF - Thanks to the previous owner of the car for letting me know this was a Bremi and not genuine Bosch



And the big whole that it left once removed here:




New MAF (Bosch) fitted and the car put back together - it fired up and was steadier on idle. 

I took the car to collect some parts for my daughters and wife's car this morning and it did not miss a beat. I will keep you updated, but fingers crossed this is the end of the MAF woes.

Been a while since you updated us on the Boxster. How's it been going in 2022?

I have been using the Boxster on and off when the weather allows, alternating with the Alpina B3 when i need more than two seats. The car not in use lives in my unit when off the road.

The boxster is still running a little rough, even after the MAF change. I spoke too soon...

thebaron kindly offered to read the fault codes out of the car and we found the following:


I ordered the part and a Bosch unit landed next day. So i started the spannering. My car is pretty early so only has pre-car O2 sensors. All the books talk about 4 02 sensors - Bank 1 and Bank 2 and then a pre and post 02 sensor.











I found the offending sensor with Bank 1 being on the drivers side in the UK - It was then i realised that my Halfords Advanced toolbox doesnt have a 22m spanner - arghhhhh.....
I have ordered a set of larger size spanners which will arrive tomorrow - Until then:




We wait....

Great to see you you still have this and are keeping on top of the maintenance.

I can’t take any credit for helping you diagnose the current issue though 😉

Stuff for the job arrived. The wife thought it was union jack bunting and table clothes. She opened it and to her horror:



Soaking in WD-40 penertrating fluid one more time before I attack this in the morning. God Bless the king for Bank Holidays!!!

Heat will assist but careful of its proximity to any vital pipes etc.
With a rounded off hex i've found using a pipe wrench (Stilson type) gives really good leverage because as you apply force it grips harder, but you may have access issues.

Looking at the pictures you have classic rotted Boxster exhaust bolts/connections so whilst you will need some new bits removal of the cat pipe will make life a whole lot easier.
Best way to get through the joint bolts is with a grinder fitted with a slitting disc (1mm).

I replaced my cat/pipes with ones from BM Catalysts, good aftermarket fit and have been working fine for the last 3 years since i fitted them. Replacement might be prudent anyway, have a look on the bay of evil and make sure they are the right type.

example-  www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292803610628?fits=Car+Make%3APorsche%7CPlat_Gen%3A986%7CModel%3ABoxster&hash=item442c748804:g:X0kAAOSwF~VkNU8z&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4K4uSFrxiSquDGDu%2B4l2seEaC%2F780%2BtTQIIFN4OPP%2FL0RXUzw%2BctGAbqxWeCqUs6%2FENT6S%2FfpGG8OahlOUap3MU5hVSqcRrTnMVPIPokBzFKhzj3GYf5WCG%2BS1DSXrnSwAFJH4HjC%2F3mLaEDZCoh8hFn3bBrRn2KqP7uwOubq4L0MyWn6iTy1WgMrf4yRAzkfpowjOYO8RL4RJf9PA3pLeVFbvtmluDV%2BP%2BB2y21Aa2DtKxpOmtLOo8cCPB1g1gfW260JbWbMnoAz8BJRhleyZ%2FKKI3%2FF3Ks2N8vM0ORO9hN%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-a0hL__YQ