Michael Downing
New member
They should have put in some kind of drain channel for the drain channel, to let the water out if it backs up.
I think I'm glad I got the extended warranty
- Thread starter jw2015
- Start date
They should have put in some kind of drain channel for the drain channel, to let the water out if it backs up.
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Suprise, suprise. OPC confirms that my ECU is buggered thanks to a blockage somewhere in the bowels of the drainage channel on the passenger side. As I said before, this is something that we have no real control over. I have actually checked these drains on the odd occasion but there is no strainer on them so there is nothing to prevent the channel getting blocked up, even if you do check it on the odd occasion. The first you'll find out about it is when your ECU goes nuts or your passenger complains of wet feet.
A new ECU, alarm unit, and two keys @ £700approx is required according to the OPC, and they are saying either I pay or Porsche UK pays as the warranty won't cover it (which is fair enough as it's not a component failure, it's just a design flaw). So I'm currently talking to Porsche UK. The thing that really bugs me is that this could have been avoided if the top of the drainage channel had a small strainer on it, 1p worth of plastic would've saved a lot of hassle for everyone.
By the way, my dealer told me they don't have checking the drain channels as something to tick off on their service or yearly checklist.
]Suprise, suprise. OPC confirms that my ECU is buggered thanks to a blockage somewhere in the bowels of the drainage channel on the passenger side. As I said before, this is something that we have no real control over. I have actually checked these drains on the odd occasion but there is no strainer on them so there is nothing to prevent the channel getting blocked up, even if you do check it on the odd occasion. The first you'll find out about it is when your ECU goes nuts or your passenger complains of wet feet.
A new ECU, alarm unit, and two keys @ £700approx is required according to the OPC, and they are saying either I pay or Porsche UK pays as the warranty won't cover it (which is fair enough as it's not a component failure, it's just a design flaw). So I'm currently talking to Porsche UK. The thing that really bugs me is that this could have been avoided if the top of the drainage channel had a small strainer on it, 1p worth of plastic would've saved a lot of hassle for everyone.
By the way, my dealer told me they don't have checking the drain channels as something to tick off on their service or yearly checklist.
John,
I would strongly recommend you take the car to an indi, get the drainage channels unblocked and dry out the carpet completely before you splash out on any ECU, alarm unit and keys. My experience of OPCs is that they would much rather replace than fix. In fact the only time I ever take my car to an OPC is for servicing and for warranty work, I doubt they know/care half as much as any good indi.
As I mentioned before, my OPC also told me to replace the ECU, but I didn't need to, the ECU and carpet just needed drying out, nothing more.
Good luck
I would strongly recommend you take the car to an indi, get the drainage channels unblocked and dry out the carpet completely before you splash out on any ECU, alarm unit and keys. My experience of OPCs is that they would much rather replace than fix. In fact the only time I ever take my car to an OPC is for servicing and for warranty work, I doubt they know/care half as much as any good indi.
As I mentioned before, my OPC also told me to replace the ECU, but I didn't need to, the ECU and carpet just needed drying out, nothing more.
Good luck
Monty2
New member
I wouldn't use a wire coat hanger it may pierce the tubing and create a bigger problem. However the 944 sunroof drains are notorious for getting blocked and with a bit of hardening over the years pushes water past the seal leaving a puddle usually behind the drivers seat. I found when faced with that puddle some garden strimmer nylon (industrial strength recommended) is flexible enough to follow the tubing but rigid enough to force its way through the gunge.
Will try the same on my own Boxster water drains this weekend.
Paul
05 Guards Red 987S
Will try the same on my own Boxster water drains this weekend.
Paul
05 Guards Red 987S
Situation almost resolved.
Without me having to do anything other than making a polite phonecall, Porsche UK have kindly agreed to supply the damaged parts - ECU & alarm unit & 2 new keys. I'll pay for OPC labour, £199 approx. Porsche stress that this is a goodwill gesture and if the problem reoccurs it'll be my problem next time. I'll take them up on this offer but I'm still not entirely happy, but life is to short to push it any further. Their customer service people told me that clearing the drains is a regular maintenance task to be carried out by the dealer during a service, however my dealer had told me it's not on their checklist, so where does that leave us? My car was serviced 2 months ago so maybe if they had checked it, this wouldn't have happened, so I believe my having to cough up £200 is not exactly a fair result but I'll cut my losses with the £500 saved on parts.
Porsche UK don't seem inclined to do anything that might prevent the problem. They say the dealer is supposed to inform the owner that it's a maintenance task, but my OPC says this is the first they've heard of it. As it stands these drain channels can block whether or not you do a visual check under the 'clam shell' lid. I was in the habit of checking it every so often but, without a strainer at the top of the channels, unless you also go to the trouble of pouring water into it on a regular basis, you'll have no real idea what state the drain is in.
So on a regular basis (I'll be doing it each time I wash the car) you'll need to open the soft-top half way and actually prove to yourself that water is going down these drains. Removing any debris you can see is not sufficient, you'll need to put some water in there and check it comes out underneath. It's obvious when you're told about it but how many of us have been told or how many owners have even bothered to see what's under the 'clam shell'. It's not in the manual so IMO Porsche don't have a legal leg to stand on.
I also have to say that this forum should be the first port of call for any owner with a problem, and the OPCs could get a lot of useful advice by logging on too I promise I will finally get my act together and sign up as a member.
Without me having to do anything other than making a polite phonecall, Porsche UK have kindly agreed to supply the damaged parts - ECU & alarm unit & 2 new keys. I'll pay for OPC labour, £199 approx. Porsche stress that this is a goodwill gesture and if the problem reoccurs it'll be my problem next time. I'll take them up on this offer but I'm still not entirely happy, but life is to short to push it any further. Their customer service people told me that clearing the drains is a regular maintenance task to be carried out by the dealer during a service, however my dealer had told me it's not on their checklist, so where does that leave us? My car was serviced 2 months ago so maybe if they had checked it, this wouldn't have happened, so I believe my having to cough up £200 is not exactly a fair result but I'll cut my losses with the £500 saved on parts.
Porsche UK don't seem inclined to do anything that might prevent the problem. They say the dealer is supposed to inform the owner that it's a maintenance task, but my OPC says this is the first they've heard of it. As it stands these drain channels can block whether or not you do a visual check under the 'clam shell' lid. I was in the habit of checking it every so often but, without a strainer at the top of the channels, unless you also go to the trouble of pouring water into it on a regular basis, you'll have no real idea what state the drain is in.
So on a regular basis (I'll be doing it each time I wash the car) you'll need to open the soft-top half way and actually prove to yourself that water is going down these drains. Removing any debris you can see is not sufficient, you'll need to put some water in there and check it comes out underneath. It's obvious when you're told about it but how many of us have been told or how many owners have even bothered to see what's under the 'clam shell'. It's not in the manual so IMO Porsche don't have a legal leg to stand on.
I also have to say that this forum should be the first port of call for any owner with a problem, and the OPCs could get a lot of useful advice by logging on too
I promise I will finally get my act together and sign up as a member.
Michael Downing
New member
Good idea.
Thanks for sharing it.
JCB..
Non-member
[] Takes about 5 minutes on a good day.
This was taken about 5 years ago on the first occasion that I popped the lid but I can't for the life of me remember why I had a towel draped over the clamshell.
I do recall being totally underwhelmed by my first view of the top of the engine. It's just a pile of rubber pipes and plastic manifolds.
] Takes about 5 minutes on a good day.This was taken about 5 years ago on the first occasion that I popped the lid but I can't for the life of me remember why I had a towel draped over the clamshell.
I do recall being totally underwhelmed by my first view of the top of the engine. It's just a pile of rubber pipes and plastic manifolds.
Nic
While you are at it - why not let the 996 and 997 Reg Secs add it it to their FAQ's as well.
Cheers,
While you are at it - why not let the 996 and 997 Reg Secs add it it to their FAQ's as well.
Cheers,
I think we've found a closet concours guy!
John, that engine compartment is far too clean [
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