Loose rear sidepanel vent.
 

I have a loose body vent on the rear driver side 1/4 panel. (Just in front of the wheel)

What is the best way to properly secure that or does it indicate something else might be amiss?

Wondering if those are just styling features or do they actually direct some air somewhere?

Forgive my questions if they sound dumb, the 2001 Boxster S is new to me and I have a lot to learn.

Ray

The left hand side (as seated in car) is air intake for engine, right hand side is an engine bay vent. Anyhow, sounds like the clips on bottom of panel are not engaged. Here's a link to a common mod on the 986s (Boxsters from 1997 thru 2004) called de-snorking (improves the sound of the motor). Details on how vent panel is properly attached included:

10min. Boxster "de-snorkel" Hack! :: Car & Lifestyle Forum

Good luck :)

Make sure the screw located in the upper part of the vent is in there, too. Could be missing.

Burg, thanks for the link. I have a similar problem where the top screw is engaged but the bottom clip is loose. Always wondered how to get in there to fix it. Thanks.

Does this vent-pushing method work for all the vent designs? I noticed that this link shows the work being done on a younger 986 where the bottom vanes are bonded together. Did the way these clips for the vent change at all? I always feel like I'm going to crack the vanes when I push on them, :eek: so I've chickened out the last couple of times I've attempted a de-snorkel....

Sounds like the vent came loose from the clips. Or, the clips came loose from the car. Either way, remove the vents, reseat the clips, and reinstall.

Thanks, the link is good, I'll give that a try this evening and might as well desnorkell at the same time.