Hello everyone. I've been following and learning from this message board for some time. Greatly appreciate the advice and expertise. This is my first post and I hope you will be able to help!
I have an '01 Boxster S with about 168,000 km (104,000 miles) on it. Love the car - drives like nothing else - and since I bought it 5 years ago I have been gradually picking away at bringing it up to date with both needed and preventative maintenance. Much on my own, and I have a euro specialist mechanic who I highly value and trust for things beyond my capabilities.
The latest project concerns the timing chain. The car still runs well, and I've recently replaced the tensioners, but the chain rattle is definitely there on cold startup, and has gotten worse over the past couple seasons. My mechanic has looked into it in some depth and advises the chain needs to be replaced within the next year or two at most. Timing is off by about 5 degrees, and he sent me a photo showing this. Other than that, I have a nice dry engine, IMS etc. replaced, no signs of debris or disintegrated chain guides in the oil filter.
He has advised that once the engine is split, a new short block is the most sensible and reliable way to go, but considering the age of the car - Expensive. I've searched lots of forums but no one seems to be talking about this issue.
Is there any other sensible / less expensive alternative?
If I can run him for another few years at an average 8,000 km / year I might do it.