986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - Seeking Boxster mentor in Los Angeles area..

adream8 · 06-02-2013, 10:57 AM

Thank you for the responses, guys!

Especially thanks to Topless, thstone, and cas951 for reaching out. Very kind of you.

Sorry I missed the gathering, Topless. I've been jamming with work the past few days and didn't get to check the thread. But I will try to make the next one. Thanks for the invite!

thstone, I will PM you, thank you.

cas951, I'm in West Hollywood, but I wouldn't mind making the trek down to MB once in a while to tinker.

Here's my current deal -- 2003 Boxster S, 78K, running well, always kept it really well maintained (all scheduled maintenance, new RMS, brakes, clutch, CV joints, axel boots -- might do the IMS bearing upgrade at 90k+ during the next clutch swap, etc..), and thus far more or less let my independent P specialists take care of everything. But now that I'm up around the 70s, I'd like to start doing some of the maintenance myself, especially the easier stuff. Both to save some dough and have the satisfaction of learning a few things!

Some experience working on other cars, but not a ton. Maybe intermediate level DIYer. About to do all the 75K minor maintenance myself -- oil change, air filters, inspection, etc. -- but figured it couldn't hurt to check in and/or do it in the company of other Boxster peeps to keep me from screwing up to badly..

Also have a P0171 and P0174 CEL that just went off -- lean on both banks, so have to get to the bottom of that. My first CEL!

Web research indicates most probable causes (in order):

vacuum leak (could use help finding it!)
MAF sensor
poor fuel delivery
fuel injectors

.. and NOT 02 sensors, as BOTH banks are indicating lean simultaneously (proofed out).

So I was gonna start by changing the air filter, cleaning the MAF, and searching for an air leak (probably hardest part for me, as I'm still learning the intake system anatomy).

So far I've read about checking the crankcase vacuum by removing the oil filler cap at idle, checking the intake vacuum by removing/pinching various hoses and using the "propane trick", and of course.. using a smoke machine.. which I don't own.

But ANY and ALL help/advice is appreciated, in person or otherwise.

Willing to get together with anyone and also assist on your projects/problems.

Thanks gents! Very cool.

-Anthony

06-02-2013, 10:57 AM	#16
adream8 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 9	Thank you for the responses, guys! Especially thanks to Topless, thstone, and cas951 for reaching out. Very kind of you. Sorry I missed the gathering, Topless. I've been jamming with work the past few days and didn't get to check the thread. But I will try to make the next one. Thanks for the invite! thstone, I will PM you, thank you. cas951, I'm in West Hollywood, but I wouldn't mind making the trek down to MB once in a while to tinker. Here's my current deal -- 2003 Boxster S, 78K, running well, always kept it really well maintained (all scheduled maintenance, new RMS, brakes, clutch, CV joints, axel boots -- might do the IMS bearing upgrade at 90k+ during the next clutch swap, etc..), and thus far more or less let my independent P specialists take care of everything. But now that I'm up around the 70s, I'd like to start doing some of the maintenance myself, especially the easier stuff. Both to save some dough and have the satisfaction of learning a few things! Some experience working on other cars, but not a ton. Maybe intermediate level DIYer. About to do all the 75K minor maintenance myself -- oil change, air filters, inspection, etc. -- but figured it couldn't hurt to check in and/or do it in the company of other Boxster peeps to keep me from screwing up to badly.. Also have a P0171 and P0174 CEL that just went off -- lean on both banks, so have to get to the bottom of that. My first CEL! Web research indicates most probable causes (in order): vacuum leak (could use help finding it!) MAF sensor poor fuel delivery fuel injectors .. and NOT 02 sensors, as BOTH banks are indicating lean simultaneously (proofed out). So I was gonna start by changing the air filter, cleaning the MAF, and searching for an air leak (probably hardest part for me, as I'm still learning the intake system anatomy). So far I've read about checking the crankcase vacuum by removing the oil filler cap at idle, checking the intake vacuum by removing/pinching various hoses and using the "propane trick", and of course.. using a smoke machine.. which I don't own. But ANY and ALL help/advice is appreciated, in person or otherwise. Willing to get together with anyone and also assist on your projects/problems. Thanks gents! Very cool. -Anthony Last edited by adream8; 06-02-2013 at 11:06 AM.