Boxsters always Clean out the drainage holes on boxsters !!!!!

[Darren SCF777]

Dear all I thought I would share this with you all..

I am sure all you guys in the know do this "Clear out the drainage holes at the rear of the car when in inspection mode" ,I did not and after a torrent down pour Sat 24th Sept my car the next morning suffered major electric issues,my car does not live in the garage..and I have tress around me.

From now on I will check the passenger side behind the seat for any water on the carpet religiously and if this is the case "NEVER START THE IGNITION or ACTIVATE THE ROOF AT ALL" if the windows Automatically come down 4 inch by them selves or any warning signs on the dash.

Any new Boxster owners not in the know really need to know this essential maintenance I have found out the very hard way !! check under the Pass side seat for any water !!!

The electrics went crazy when I opened the door the windows came down after unlock ,then I opened the passenger door to try the window switch on that side as driver side would not work to my amazement the roof activating from the passenger door !! the roof struts safety plastic end mechanism snapped both sides,however I am so unlucky the drivers side strut got trapped and this has damaged my roof car is with OPC the roof may be able to be repaired by specialist if not then its a full 2.5K roof.

Any one had any experience of torn canvas to repair I am in Leeds area...I am total gutted as this could have been avoided by clearing out the drainage holes, to check if they are clear pour a little water down the channel of each side with a little watering can when the clam lid is up,if the water comes out efficiently at the bottom near rear tyre then its clear if not then its blocked.

2nd hand Porsche owners ship really needs attention a little more than I can give I am too used to drive and go.

I have looked after this car to the best of my knowledge and pocket water ingress issues for a Porsche and can cause this much damage to the control unit under the Pass seat is unbelievable..here is list of all my itemised expenses last 2 years enjoy.

4th Feb 2015 - 46,536
Major SV £355
Fly Wheel £736
Clutch £504
Battery £134
Pass Fog £98
Misc parts & labour £287

1st April 2015 - 47,208

Wheel refurb & official centre caps x 4 £300
Rear shockers £624
Blow radiators £90
Exhaust pipe trim carbon £270
Misc parts & labour £413

Track and balance - 48004 £97

28th May 2015 MOT - 47,208
Spare Key 2 to GEN2 & key 1 to Gen2 £287
coding and diag test £150
Front drop links £186
MOT £58

15 June 2015 - 48,393
Replace DME/ECU £540
Labour & coding £288

1st Dec 2015 - 50,800
Plugs £68
Ignition coils £167
ignition Switch £128
Misc parts & labour £150
Diag test £48

Rear light replaced (corrosion from inside) 22nd Jan 2016 £170

4th Feb 2016
ICE Pioneer AVIC F970 BT/sAT NAV/REAR CAM £1,700
Audison amp and speaker upgrade

24th Mar 2016 - 51,584
Heat shield replacment £154
2 x Bridgestone Potenza rear £308

1st June 2016 - 52757
MOT £40
Minor Service £230
Brake Fluid replacement £75

25th Sept water ingress damage £ xxxx will post

Thanks for reading !!! any feedback welcome

 

[Darren SCF777]

https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/drainsdiagram

This is very good info on this subject I thought..

 

[RCS]

What model Boxster is it? You may find one for a 986/987 on eBay which would then just need fitting. £2.5k seems steep depending on what other parts are needed, guess thats a brand new Porsche hood. I would have thought it should be cheaper if you use a good Indy to do the roof for you as their labour will be less.

 

[DavidHolden]

Go to a music shop and buy yourself a trombone cleaner (Brush). Ideal for keeping the drainage system clear. Simple solution to a common problem

 

[Darren SCF777]

Hi,

Yes OPC fit the complete thing reason why its steep I am going to have a go with these specialists :-


Hope to use car hood and ask Pickering's to fit..

http://www.car-hood.co.uk/987-boxster-h812

http://aspickering.co.uk/hoods-back-windows/2149881

http://www.carhood.com/porsche/

http://www.hothoods.co.uk/boxster_fitted.htm

 

[Darren SCF777]

Hi thanks yes I will clean them religiously now I hope my control unit can dry out and work,or this will work out expensive oh well ya live and learn!

 

[Darren SCF777]

Here are some pics of the damage the roof struts made ,I suppose when cleaned and roof is rested it wont seem that bad , will sort ready for summer 2017 via specialist.

 

[Darren SCF777]

 

[BartyB]

I use a compressed air line connected to a length of clear 6mm PVC tubing which I push down the drain tubes once a year to blow through any debris. I don't like to put anything rigid like wire into the drain tubes to avoid any possibility of tearing or splitting the walls.

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Nice write up Darren.
Please don't forget anyone that's struggling with any issues from a 986 to current day Boxsters please email our resident Technical advisor Nick Pike or Steve Winter from Jazz. Both can be found in the Porsche File. These guys have wealth of knowledge on all models.
Cliff.

 

[mickybarb]

Hi Darren,
Sorry to hear of your problems. I recently took my 3.2S to a Porsche dealership for another problem and on the report that came back they stated the drains were blocked! However I poured water down the 2 rear drains and the 2 front drains and it appeared to flow quite readily. I didn't bother with the front middle as this would require the removal of the battery and as the others were clear I presumed it would also be ok. The manual recommends blowing out each drain with compressed air. But reading of your problems has made me think I might be missing something? Any info would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

Mickybarb

 

[dpoynton]

Without telling them what you've done I'd ask the PC why they think the drains are blocked.

David