How to REPLACE THE STARTER on a Porsche Boxster 986

[@thevintagetraveler2681]

I just did this in under 2 hours start to finish… you can save a lot of time if you have a 15mm ratcheting flat wrench for the lower bolt on the starter. Move the breather tube to the side and you can access it. Once it is loose you can remove with your fingers.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@thevintagetraveler2681 thanks for the tips! 🍻

[@JackBeckman]

Very timely for me, my starter is going (making the high-speed whine every 4th start or so). This has convinced me to once again let my mechanic do it (mostly because of my skill level) but at least I now know the effort required. I have more cash than skill. I have replaced starters in the past, but I think my days of contorting in an engine bay - esp. a mid-engine bay - are long past.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Jack Beckman nothing wrong with knowing your limits 😉🍻

[@AB-nb2ic]

BEST 986 Channel!! Thank you!!

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@AB-nb2ic ❤️🎉🍻

[@RickBeacham]

Thanks! Good quality video as always. I'm attempting this fix myself... I'm not a mechanic but its time to learn how to be one...

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Rick Beacham same here! This is the channel for you 😆

[@stampedetrail2003]

Jeez man wow. Thank you. Update. Replaced the starter, car has an intermittent no-crank issue, basically you have to attempt to start it around 6 to 20 times before it cranks over, so, I replaced the starter. Well, thanks to your videos that wasn't that bad, especially the tip about removing the back cover to access that irritatingly irritating bolt. And fixed up a few other things like the air filter and MAF sensor. Well, that's cool, I did have the high-pitched squeal at start up that indicated that the starter was on its way out, but replacing the starter didn't fix the no-crank issue. So far I've replaced the ignition switch, starter relay, and the starter, no joy. Recently pulled the immobilizer computer and found a bunch of corrosion on that thing so, perhaps, that's the reason. Anyway, appreciate your content my friend.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Brian Miller & Sylvia you’re welcome 🍻

[@RickBeacham]

Did you figure it out? @Brian & Sylvia

[@benyatrock]

My 1999 Boxster has the random no crank issue. It's driving me nuts...did you get yours figured out?

[@benyatrock]

Hi, I hate to be a pest, but did you ever get your random no crank issue figured out?

[@stampedetrail2003]

@@benyatrock Yes check the other replies. It was the immobilizer, got a new one from ECU specialists in Florida.

[@antech555]

I was able to remove the hard to reach bolt from the top. just remove the plastic pipe that's in the way. I got a ratchet and socket in there. Hand can reach in there to feed the bolt back in.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+bruce achiles good to know, thanks!

[@rikaguilera2]

That is the EXACT same system I installed on my 986 last week. I wish you would have recorded some sound clips though. Yes, very cost effective system, but it is high quality and sounds great. Looking forward to more of your videos.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Rik Aguilera this comment seems to be on my starter replacement video, unless KZbin is glitching, so I’m not sure what sounds great 😂

[@rikaguilera2]

@@HelpMeDIY hmmm, that is weird. I actually haven't seen your starter video yet.. I did comment on a Porsche exhaust video. I do love your videos though. Have watched a lot of them.

[@HelpMeDIY]

@@rikaguilera2 yeah that’s weird. Makes more sense now though 😂 Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@realcameronp]

Amazing car looks sweet just got done dropping the motor out of my 01 going to be putting a 3.2 in it after building it sometime this week

[@HelpMeDIY]

+RealCameronP thanks! Good luck with that!

[@frederickschulze8014]

How do you like it? Sounds like you basically converted your Boxster to a Boxster S

[@pear44ms]

Did you notice a very small tube installed on on the bottom of the rubber sleeve on the passenger side of the throttle body. Porsche built the car with it so it must setve a vaccum of some sort. I will be re-installing my new starter tomorrow. I just followed you removal video and it was very accurate ! You did a fantastic job. I also ordered the 101 Boxster book. Thank for a job well done. Have you done your IMS bearing yet ?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Marquis Sivels you’re welcome! Haven’t replaced one yet… removed one (with the engine out) in my Broken Boxster Battle series 😁🍻

[@Matthew-xg2gn]

Gotta do a vid on cleaning the engine! I’m sure a lot of us Boxster guys would like it

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Matthew I might eventually… just gets dirty so fast 😬

[@Matthew-xg2gn]

@@HelpMeDIY oh trust me I know 😂 I just try to not look at it when I don’t need to, out of sight out of mind

[@keepsmiling1484]

Another great video thanks, as I also now have the squeeling starter. Next job to tackle, but in the meantime trying to fathom why my windscreen wash light stays on. Searched all over for a vid on removing the wash reservoir and inspecting/replacing parts but only found one very poor unclear video, unlike your very informative clear vids. Potential suggestion for another vid perhaps, as sure it would be popular????

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Keep Smiling thank you! 🍻 I have a lot of projects pulled up but I’ll try to remember that for later. Thanks for thinking of me 😉

[@MattDavoudi]

Great and timeless video! May I ask where did you order the starter from? Tried to look up the part number online and it seems out of stuck everywhere.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@MattDavoudi thank you! Unless I put a link in the description I have no idea where I got it now, sorry!

[@jimlong527]

Always a challenge but worth knowing you car much better.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Jim Long 🍻

[@michaellong2661]

This doesn't look so bad. -me, 15 minutes before it turns into an absolute nightmare Lol my starter is going, so I very much appreciate the guidance here.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Michael Long hahaha. It’s bad 😬

[@hawkinsjd11]

still trying to figure out why my car chirps like a fire detector on cold start. not sure I want to tackle this until it gets worse. though. Good video as always.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Jess H thanks!

[@davidshaw164]

Coming back to an old video… what exactly were the symptoms of your failing starter? I’ve had this disconcerting squeal right after starting my 98’ that I think is either the starter not disengaging or belt squealing… I’d appreciate any help!

[@HelpMeDIY]

+David Shaw that was my symptom, the squeal

[@davidshaw164]

@@HelpMeDIY thanks for the quick reply! Looks like I’ll be finagling some extensions through my engine lol…

[@JoeCoool59]

If your Boxster is a Tiptronic, the reason for the longer starter is that the longer one is a high output model. It’s 1.8 kW versus 1.7 kW.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Stephen Hoag it’s a manual, but thanks for the info!

[@sambyf2445]

I changed my starter motor on my 3.4 Boxster S, the car starts fine now, however, a new problem I had developed is that the car is shattering idle and gasping from the exhaust pipe. I took the car for a drive and it turned off for me three times. Any suggestions or thoughts?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Samby F hmm maybe someone better at diagnostics than me can chime in

[@sambyf2445]

Latest update. Had someone check it over (mobile recovery) and they identities a hissing sound coming from the engine bay - possibly an air leak but we couldn’t find where from. Car driving a bit better now but still choking at idle.

[@HelpMeDIY]

@@sambyf2445 I have a video on detecting leaks using smoke 😉

[@sambyf2445]

For the sake of good order, and to save someone else this bother. I have a 987 2006 boxster 3.4s. When attaching the plenum back on, there is a rubber ring which bridges / covers the gap and is locked down with silver ring clamps. Underneath, where you cannot see, there is a small pipe / wire which can get caught between the rubber ring and the plenum edge, mine got caught and therefore left a gap. That was the hissing sound. User error and it took me the third attempt to find the issue, but sometimes just stripping back to the beginning and going through the basic steps is a winner!

[@HelpMeDIY]

@@sambyf2445 ah yes! I’ve almost done that several times.

[@dcanon]

When did you paint your Boxster?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Dennis Canon wrapped it. Recently. You should subscribe and get notifications, there’s a video on it 😁

[@nornibres]

That one bolt is a complete pita. I'm amazed there isn't a specialty wrench to get at it from the top.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Nor Nibres amen brother!