Can enough water get into the side snorkels during a hand wash to cause damage?
 

I'm a new 1999 Boxster owner (one-week). I hand washed it this afternoon, and rinsed with a water hose on the shower setting. After completing the job and then checking the mail, I received my copy of "101 Projects for Your Porsche Boxster."
In this book, towards the end of the "Washing your Car" section, Wayne states "Also be aware not to get any water into the side snorkel area-water can collect there and then be sucked up into the engine."

Is this something I should be concerned about?
Is a gentle spray to remove the suds going to cause any damage?

Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks to everyone for helping a newbie!!:cheers:

A gentle spray is fine, think about what happens driving in a deluge at speed. Having said that, the intake is on the drivers side and you should exercise reasonable caution not to directly spray voluminous jets of water in there, I'm sure that was Wayne's point.

You should be okay. I always hand wash and spray the soap off normally. You should be more concerned about your rotors starting to rust than the snorkel from what I've seen. And even that can be burnt off with a nice cruise after you wash the car. Drive that thing and enjoy.

Don't worry. The Boxster can go through a commercial car wash with power jets without any problem.

Thanks everyone for the information. I feel more comfortable washing and rinsing the Boxster now.