Leaking Boxster and Not happy with OPC

[paulwat]

Hi all,

I have a 2006 Boxster which I bought from my local OPC a year ago, when I bought the car I was told the warranty would cover everything the same as a new car - which I know discover isn't at all the case (I know my fault for not checking)

I found this out when I took my car in because the bottom of the door trim (carpet bit is soppoing wet when it rains) and was promptly told it wasn't covered and that it would cost about £150 to find what was wrong.

I agreed to the diagnostic (I asusme a guy with a hose!!!) and they have come back reporting that the Windowscreen is leaking and also the seal between the roof and the windscreen is leaking, cost of puting it right is £665 give or take.

Before even checking the forums I was somewhat sceptical as to the OPC's conclusion as the only point in the car that gets wet is the drivers card at the bottom and cannot understand how the water could be travelling to that point without getting anything else in the car even remotely damp.

Could this really be the case??

Also I am not very up on how cars are put together but isn't the wondscreen bonded to the car and the rubber bit just to tidy things up aftwerwards?? i.e. assuming the windscreen is leaking then changing the bit of rubber wouldn't fix the underlying problem which is water getting in through a gap in the glue?

Now looking on here (should have done that in first place) it seems extrmeley likely that the door membrane has gone as this seems to be the cause of many a damp Boxster door, anyone got any idea how much one of these is for a 2006 987 and how easy is it to fit?

Cheers in advance

Paul.
P.S. Best bit in the conversation with OPC was when they pointed out that the newly revised warranty covers water leaks!!!

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Sounds like the door membrane to me too...

It's only a few quid from Porsche.

The windscreen is indeed bonded in - it is a major part of the structual strength given that we have an open top car here.
The seal between roof and the top of the screen can get grit in it (it is full of complex folds as well). This can cause it to "leak" as any grit etc in there can allow the water through. I always wipe it out when the car is washed.

 

[johnk]

door membranes on the newer model cars are not the same as the old type they are a complete metal panel with a seal around them but i'm not sure how much they are...

membranes are one of the main causes of water ingress into cabin as said and on older models were just a sheet of material with a seal

 

[paulwat]

Update:- I have been to the OPC and collected my car and have been given a somewhat different diagnosis than when I spoke to them on the phone yesterday. (I was told the person I spoke to on the service desk didn't know much about the car!)

The areas that are alledgedely leaking are:-
1.Seal that runs along the top of the windcscreen frame and joins with the seal on the convertible hood

2. Drivers door Window seal that runs along top edge of door and appears to run behind the wing mirror.

The first one I am not convinced is a real issue - I have never noticed any leaks and will give it a good clean when I get a chance at the weekend and keep an eye on it

For leak number 2 is it possible to change this seal on a DIY basis or does it require tools/ skills that are outside of the average diy individual???

Is there a how to on this anywhere in the club section - I am a member just need to sort access to relevant bit of site

Any guidance on approx cost of the window seal?

Many thanks

Paul

 

[johnk]

first problem like you say may not be the issue.

the second on i'm struggling with as the membrane on the door should still stop water getting into the cabin of the car hence why its their.. the windows do let water in through the seals and the membrane helps it divert out through the bottom of the door and outside.. if you were to replace the particular seal around the wing mirror it is part of a larger seal that goes along the inside of the window and around the inner edge of the door alway round, the other seal which is the weatherstrip( window scraper seal) is very easy to replace as it would be just a matter of pulling off and putting new on...

one thing 987/997 had a problem with was water tracked down the wiring harness from the door and into the footwell via the harness ..

 

[paulwat]

okay so it sounds like some DIY investigation is required, I have google'd looking for some info on how to get the door inner off but can't find anyhting, so does anyone know how to do it??

Cheers

Paul

 

[johnk]

many hidden screws on 987 and they can be a bugger to get off sometimes even breaking in the corner...
you have 4 t30 screws hidden , 1 under mirror cover back ,1 under the other end of the door under a black cover on the door edge just above the latch, you then need to take the t20 screw out of the back of the silver opener handle inside then push the circular cover to reveal another t30 screw.. then go lower down to the other side of the grab handle and you will see a piece of trim which needs to come off and their is a screw about 2 inch in...

beware though if you get all these screws out that the trim is a real git to pull off and you may damage some clips...