Check your drain pipes - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Sorry to hear this. Is there not an ECU under there too?

Can you get a used amp from a crashed car at a breakers?

Same goes for MINIs too! I had to replace both modules at great expense, took 6 weeks to dry the 30mm thick carpet. Drained 20 litres of rainwater from the car, it can build up with no symptoms until the ecu shorts out.

Discombobulate said: Sorry to hear this. Is there not an ECU under there too? Luckily not. There is quite a bit of loom along the sill and that's all ok, The seat controller is mounted to the seat so no danger there. So overall its not damaged that much! But I removed perhaps 8L of water from the sound proofing so would be near impossible to dry out without lifting the carpet. Luckily I have a garage and a fan heater. Having owned a TVR Tuscan for 12 years I'm also not affraid to get the spanners out! I've found a place in scotland that seems to offer a repair service but I have a nasty feeling it may be beyond repair. Porsch confirmed a new one will need re-coding by them at 1hrs labour.

While we were away on hols, that crazy heavy rain flooded the driver's side of my wifes 718 BGTS I've removed the seat and various trims and have the carpet up and its drying out nicely (there are some very thick bits of sound proofing that are like sponges so its taking some work to squuze all the water out. but... Bose amp is ruined. Under the driver's seat in a "well" under the carpet. It was litterally sitting in a bath of water. Reading around its obviosuly caused by the notorious rear drain holes being blocked. I've now confirmed the driver's side was almost blocked and managed to clear it with rod/air line and lots of hot water. Pours through now, just a dribble previously. Looks like its going to be around 2K just to replace the amp! And this car has been maintained by Porsche except the previous minor service at a local indie. So its work checking them. There are some good you tube vids on this. On 718 the pipes/tubes can be accesed from top under the corners of the roof by the roll bars. Not sure on other models. Just pour water down them and see how fast it comes out. Edited by PetrolHeadPete on Sunday 19th November 10:53 Edited by PetrolHeadPete on Sunday 19th November 10:54

PetrolHeadPete said: While we were away on hols, that crazy heavy rain flooded the driver's side of my wifes 718 BGTS I've removed the seat and various trims and have the carpet up and its drying out nicely (there are some very thick bits of sound proofing that are like sponges so its taking some work to squuze all the water out. but... Bose amp is ruined. Under the driver's seat in a "well" under the carpet. It was litterally sitting in a bath of water. Reading around its obviosuly caused by the notorious rear drain holes being blocked. I've now confirmed the driver's side was almost blocked and managed to clear it with rod/air line and lots of hot water. Pours through now, just a dribble previously. Looks like its going to be around 2K just to replace the amp! And this car has been maintained by Porsche except the previous minor service at a local indie. So its work checking them. There are some good you tube vids on this. On 718 the pipes/tubes can be accesed from top under the corners of the roof by the roll bars. Not sure on other models. Just pour water down them and see how fast it comes out. Edited by PetrolHeadPete on Sunday 19th November 10:53 Edited by PetrolHeadPete on Sunday 19th November 10:54 Thanks for the warning - I foolishly thought the 718 was immune to this sort of thing as there is no rear clamshell as part of the roof system. The car is always garaged so probably not as at risk as one that stands out in all weathers but will definitely take a look. I know you can buy a trombone cleaner for this task!

What a coincidence! I logged on this evening intending to post a question about 718 drains/gutters and risks of blockages. Sorry to hear of your problem, I will definitely now be checking YouTube videos and attending to this. Bloody UK climate. Bloody trees (mine)

Would one of these help? https://cabrioshield.com/uk/porsche-boxster-981.ht...

996Targa said: Would one of these help? https://cabrioshield.com/uk/porsche-boxster-981.ht... I have the premium version of this that I no longer require since I sold my Boxster, happy to sell if anyone is is interested. £150 including UK delivery

A length if garden hose with some tape around the end to make a seal on the drain hole neck will allow you to blow air through the drain to try and clear it. The Problem is the other end gets clogged and the only way to get at these is to take the side skirt panels off (easy job - one screw behind rear wheel arch cover and the rest are plastic clips) and ideally remove the 'one way' plugs. I've not got to the latter yet but my driver side is not as free flowing as the passenger.

Armitage.Shanks said: A length if garden hose with some tape around the end to make a seal on the drain hole neck will allow you to blow air through the drain to try and clear it. The Problem is the other end gets clogged and the only way to get at these is to take the side skirt panels off (easy job - one screw behind rear wheel arch cover and the rest are plastic clips) and ideally remove the 'one way' plugs. I've not got to the latter yet but my driver side is not as free flowing as the passenger. Yeah I spotted the video about that perhaps 4 weeks ago and was mentally prepping myself to do it...but the weather and a holiday beat me to it! Ho hum, you live and learn. What amazed me was the amount of crap that came out was not that great. Probs that nasty "one way" rubbery bit on the end blocks too easily?

Are there any similar issues with drainage from around the base of the windscreen?

On the 996. 986 there was a "box" in front of the screen with battery etc in it and drain holes at the bottom. I think that on the 991 and presumably 981 the box is open at the bottom so drain holes are not required.

Tony B2 said: Are there any similar issues with drainage from around the base of the windscreen? One thing I have noticed is the water drops through the holes for the wiper arms, trickles along the supporting bar creating a corrosion line. Then on the other it seems to drip onto the bottom inner lip of the rubber gasket filling it up and into the bulkhead where the AC lines disappear through foam. I'm assuming the water then drains out of the evaporator exit hole under the car? Given the fact I've found this foam saturated it's not a good design.

Discombobulate said: Sorry to hear this. Is there not an ECU under there too? There’s an ECU under the passenger seat on 987s, referred to as the Rear Control Module. As with the OP, water collects and drowns it, causing rear electrics (from windscreen backwards) to go haywire. Get a trombone cleaning set online and use it to brush through the drain holes on a regular basis.

I believe checking drains on a Macan with sunroof is a standard service task. If blocked there is s small charge to clear the drains which would appear on the service invoice. I've no idea about the 718 Boxster, but might it be that your last OPC service missed this out, if it's the same service check? Just an idea to pass the buck...

DJMC said: I believe checking drains on a Macan with sunroof is a standard service task. If blocked there is s small charge to clear the drains which would appear on the service invoice. I've no idea about the 718 Boxster, but might it be that your last OPC service missed this out, if it's the same service check? Just an idea to pass the buck... Drain holes are checked I believe as part of some service regimes - it should say it on the invoice receipt (couple of mine do from a previous owner). That said you'll have no chance passing the buck unless it happened within a very short timeframe of coming away from the check and even then I'd expect them to refuse liability.

Armitage.Shanks said: DJMC said: I believe checking drains on a Macan with sunroof is a standard service task. If blocked there is s small charge to clear the drains which would appear on the service invoice. I've no idea about the 718 Boxster, but might it be that your last OPC service missed this out, if it's the same service check? Just an idea to pass the buck... Drain holes are checked I believe as part of some service regimes - it should say it on the invoice receipt (couple of mine do from a previous owner). That said you'll have no chance passing the buck unless it happened within a very short timeframe of coming away from the check and even then I'd expect them to refuse liability. Probably even less chance if previous minor service was with a local indie: PetrolHeadPete said: And this car has been maintained by Porsche except the previous minor service at a local indie.

Armitage.Shanks said: DJMC said: I believe checking drains on a Macan with sunroof is a standard service task. If blocked there is s small charge to clear the drains which would appear on the service invoice. I've no idea about the 718 Boxster, but might it be that your last OPC service missed this out, if it's the same service check? Just an idea to pass the buck... Drain holes are checked I believe as part of some service regimes - it should say it on the invoice receipt (couple of mine do from a previous owner). That said you'll have no chance passing the buck unless it happened within a very short timeframe of coming away from the check and even then I'd expect them to refuse liability. If the service frequency is every 2 years, and the drains are checked according to this schedule, surely the liability should be with Porsche? If the frequency is appropriate and the work done is adequate, it only leaves (pardon the pun) poor design as the problem?

Tony B2 said: If the service frequency is every 2 years, and the drains are checked according to this schedule, surely the liability should be with Porsche? If the frequency is appropriate and the work done is adequate, it only leaves (pardon the pun) poor design as the problem? The last service was by an indie, is that down to Porsche too?

Yeah with a 2 year interval, its all a bit moot. Check them yourselves to be safe

981Boxess said: Tony B2 said: If the service frequency is every 2 years, and the drains are checked according to this schedule, surely the liability should be with Porsche? If the frequency is appropriate and the work done is adequate, it only leaves (pardon the pun) poor design as the problem? The last service was by an indie, is that down to Porsche too? Did I say it would be down to Porsche? More likely, it would give Porsche a perfect get out.

Given the unusually dry weather yesterday, I decided to have a good look at my Spyder's drainage performance. The mid-rear drains (just behind the doors) seemed to work pretty well (used the "pour a bit in from above and see what comes out test"). Likewise the drainage at the rear of the boot aperture. The front scuttle area does seem to have loads of opportunity for trapping leaf litter (I vacuumed out plenty for sure), so will definitely be keeping an eye on this.

Can I check - are you talking about Boxsters, or is it an issue with coupes as well?

From my reading it seems to affect many models and brands. Cayman effected...yes I belive so. macan too. and minis, and suzukis and bmws and.... Seems like a really common issue when you start to look. And so many cars have expensive modules close to potential water leaks or puddles My Bose is out with a repairer. Fingers crossed. Otherwise, with coding, you are looking at £2K. Carpets all dried and sorted and nothing else seems to be affected. PITA though.

I have the exact same problem with my 718, also from all the heavy rain. Insurance are rejecting the claim as say it is considered maintenance, anyone managed to claim from their insurance from this? My Amp also gone, took my vax to it etc etc but still teh water comes even though the plugs are now cleared.

Sorry to hear that! Its worrying that you find even with cleared pipes you can still see water come in? How? Can you explain When the warmer days come I plan to remove the rubber end caps as per YouTube vid BTW: Insurance declined our claim and even tried to play the "non OPC service" as the cause! If you get the service schedule off Porsche website it DOESNT mention clearing or even checking the drains. And frankly given this was Porsche serviced its entrie life bar the very last service around 1 year ago, I strongly suspect the drains had never been checked

I don't know if the OPC check them or not, so I check it myself from time to time on my 981. All I use is around 600mm of 20mm plastic conduit pipe, a funnel and a jug of water - take 10 minutes tops both sides once you have all the bits to hand. Daft bit of design if you ask me and it would seem the 718 may even be worse.

PetrolHeadPete said: Cayman effected...yes I belive so. Does a Cayman have a sunroof option then?

981Boxess said: Does a Cayman have a sunroof option then? LOL, didn't you tick that option box No, there are some other drains...going by what I read from those more knowledgable than me. But boxster is shocking design really...water inside the cablin in a drain / gutter :O