2001 Boxster Maintenance

[jarjar]

Just took the plunge and finally bought my first Porsche.

 

It's a 2001 Boxster ( 2.7 Litre I believe ) and I am absolutely loving it!

 

The car is needing some maintenance and I thought to join this forum to see if I can learn some things on what to do... or what not to do ?

 

Here are a few things needing attention

 

1. The Brake Wear light is on...the pads look ok but wondering it's a sensor.  I was thinking just to go through and redo the pads and perhaps sensors as well...not too sure what to get in the way of pads and sensors..should I go with OEM on this?

 

2. The engine wont stay running after filling up...I have read a fix for this somewhere but it seems it could be more than one issue

 

3. There is the "coke bottle" sound coming from the drivers passenger door area...this can happen while just idling in the driveway or while on the highway...I have read a fix for this as well but it appears that buying the part and replacing may not always work...have also heard it could be the cap but this one looks ok

 

4. The gauges are wonky...the MPH gauge sometimes goes to 50MPH and goes up from there..I never noticed this before switching the digital read out to KMS so maybe thats it...also the tach is not very responsive...even at higher revs it rarely goes past 3000rpm

 

5.The passenger window...it sometimes wont come down the little bit its supposed to when opening the convertable top...then at times it wont go up without keeping having to press the window up button and then it goes about an inch at a time...I have read it may be a switch inside where the roof unlock pull down lever is...not sure.  Also the window needs to be adjusted as it opens too high and needs to be moved back as the PO had messed with it when he tried tinting the windows

 

6. The convertible top folds over the back half of the passenger window when I close it...I have read there is an elastic type band that becomes stretched and some sort of new material can be sewn in to prevent this

 

7. I am wondering about a decent service manual for this ( Bentley? ) as well as where to buy parts and what types of parts to get ( ie brake pads and sensors )...Also is there is a code reader that wont break the bank that will help me  pinpoint any fault codes

 

Thanks to anyone who may be able to help.  And please excuse if some or all of this has been covered

 

 

[Loren]

 

1. Unless you track the car I would go with OEM - they work very well. Also, since the brake wear light is on I think you should plan on replacing the rotors as well.

 

2, Do a search here you may have a bad vent valve or pinched hoses. Both are covered here.

 

3. Not sure what you are taking about. Something rolling around in the door?

 

4. Whenever you see electrical anomalies - check your battery and charging circuit. If your battery is 4 years old or older it should be replaced. Another common electrical issue that causes wonky thing is a worn out ignition switch. If you wiggle the key while the ignition is on and funny things happen - then the ignition switch need to be replaced.

 

5. Likely a micro-switch or a worn out window regulator. Either way you will need to remove the door panel (cover here also) for access.

 

6. Adjustments likely - also a good time to inspect the ball joints and micro-switches on the top mechanism.

 

7. Bentley is an adequate service manual or online service AllDataDIY.com.

The best is Durametric - it does many custom Porsche diagnostics and re-programming about $287.  If you only have a basic emissions issue then a generic scanner will likely do - but most respectable ones are $100 plus - so I would spend the extra and get Durametric.

 

 

[jarjar]

Thanks Loren.

 

1/ I am looking into which parts to get and where from.  The rotors as measured seem ok...they are vented and not sure brand. I am needing to buy a low profile jack it seems

 

2/ I will have a look

 

3/ It's a sound as described in the forum elsewhere I believe...the PO thought it was from using low octane gas...I will search further

 

4/ The battery is from 2015 ...I will measure the voltage today...I know that the PO replaced the alternator...it starts fine so never thought the battery could be an issue.  The ignition is not super tight but wiggling doesn't seem to change anything.  I have noticed that the onboard oil level gauge reads above the top line even thought the dipstick is right on full...I am wondering if some of these errors are caused by memory loss.

 

5/ I will have a look at this...may do when I replace the battery if necessary 

 

6/ Not sure where the micro switches are...or how to check...I will read and search further

 

7/ I am not sure which way to go here...the durametric is likely the best choice...but I wanted to spend a bit less to start

 

Thanks again!

[jarjar]

I measured the battery voltage and it is 12.6V and 14V at idle...same as my truck

[mrplow911]

1: Depending on how old these sensors are, the plastic casing around the electrical conductive part could be old and cracked.  This plastic housing is torn apart and the circuit is complete which throws on the brake replacement light.  I know, per Porsche, they replace these when the brake service is completed.  It would be easy to check if the housing is cracked when you have the wheel and caliper off.  About a $10 part.

[Craig Joplin]

On 8/3/2018 at 10:48 AM, jarjar said:

I measured the battery voltage and it is 12.6V and 14V at idle...same as my truck

12.6v is low. Should be 13+ to be optimal.  The 14v at idle is the alternater inputting charge to battery.