What did you do with/to your Boxster today?

[piper6909]

So I committed what many may think is a Cardinal Sin.

I drilled a drain hole underneath the driver's seat. To prevent rust, I sealed around it with the same sealant I used when I installed a roof rack on my work van. I then installed a drain tube from a 911 headlight bucket. It makes it harder for water to splash in from underneath. I got the idea from another post and if I can find it I'll give the OP credit. It's part number 911.631.259.02

I had to use a 1/2" drill bit. I never like drilling holes anywhere on a car, and this was no exception, but I can now rest easy that if I get caught in a rainstorm, my Immobilizer is protected. Flooding is not a concern in my area, but even it if is, water would have other ways of getting in.

Yes, I could have gone with ECUDoctors waterproof case, but somehow I'm not convinced by it. Plus, $150 for a plastic box seems like price gouging to me.

I'm thinking of drilling another hole in the front floor pan, but I couldn't find a good low spot that didn't have anything in the way underneath. Still pondering that one, and I have time since the carpet isn't dry yet.

Here's the hole with the sealant:





Here's the hole with the drain tube:




Here's a pic from underneath:



And here's what the drain tube looks like:



P.S.
I found the post that suggested the drain tubes. Thank you to old911doc:

Originally Posted by old911doc

When I drilled my Boxsters I recalled there is an ideal part to fit in the hole, an original Porsche part 911.631.259.02, available from our friendly Pelicans for $3.00 each. This part is a small rubber tube used in 1960's-70's 911's, fitted into each turn signal unit to permit water to drain out without water easily splashing in. I would suggest purchasing four of them, and measuring the groove in the rubber to see what size hole to drill in the floor pan. I suggest one hole in the lowest point, which is under the seat, and one hole near the back of the floor pan.

[rexcramer]

I am not gonna stand next to you outside. Watch out for lighting. And stay away from puddles, stream crossings, etc. Safe, dry travels.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by rexcramer

I am not gonna stand next to you outside. Watch out for lighting. And stay away from puddles, stream crossings, etc. Safe, dry travels.

Yeah, I have a Subaru for stream crossings and such.

But what's lightning got to do with it?

[rexcramer]

The white lab coat, furrowed brow guys, may invoke an incantation from on high, for questioning their engineering prowess/decisions. They still can't understand why Americans need so many damn cup holders in a vehicle.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by rexcramer

The white lab coat, furrowed brow guys, may invoke an incantation from on high, for questioning their engineering prowess/decisions. They still can't understand why Americans need so many damn cup holders in a vehicle.

OHH! HAHA! Good one!

How dare we question their superior wisdom to place quite possibly the most important and most vulnerable-to-moisture electronic part at literally the lowest point of a convertible (think bathtub)

Alas, I shall repent!

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by piper6909

So I committed what many may think is a Cardinal Sin.

I drilled a drain hole underneath the driver's seat. To prevent rust, I sealed around it with the same sealant I used when I installed a roof rack on my work van. I then installed a drain tube from a 911 headlight bucket. It makes it harder for water to splash in from underneath. I got the idea from another post and if I can find it I'll give the OP credit. It's part number 911.631.259.02

I had to use a 1/2" drill bit. I never like drilling holes anywhere on a car, and this was no exception, but I can now rest easy that if I get caught in a rainstorm, my Immobilizer is protected. Flooding is not a concern in my area, but even it if is, water would have other ways of getting in.

Yes, I could have gone with ECUDoctors waterproof case, but somehow I'm not convinced by it. Plus, $150 for a plastic box seems like price gouging to me.

I'm thinking of drilling another hole in the front floor pan, but I couldn't find a good low spot that didn't have anything in the way underneath. Still pondering that one, and I have time since the carpet isn't dry yet.

Here's the hole with the sealant:





Here's the hole with the drain tube:




Here's a pic from underneath:



And here's what the drain tube looks like:



P.S.
I found the post that suggested the drain tubes. Thank you to old911doc:

Nice! And, the tubes are great! I don't much drive in inclement weather, but had wondered why owners didn't just drill a hole. You did a great job.

Yeah... the $150 box. That's ****************ing crooked. If it isn't an overpriced ****************ing IMS bearing solution it's a ****************ing $150 plastic box.

Keep those drains clean, too.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by Starter986

Nice! And, the tubes are great! I don't much drive in inclement weather, but had wondered why owners didn't just drill a hole. You did a great job.

Yeah... the $150 box. That's ****************ing crooked. If it isn't an overpriced ****************ing IMS bearing solution it's a ****************ing $150 plastic box.

Keep those drains clean, too.

Thanks, Starter! Yeah, Definitely keep the drains clean. Oddly enough, I checked the drains when I got the car and they were clean and the tray is intact. IDK if the previous owner cleaned them AFTER water got in or if the water found another way in, maybe from the top.

[Allegro]

I washed my car. Then I went, 'duh.' And noticed for the first time that my license plate starts with 8DX, which if you squint hard looks a lot like BOX. Really! Try it! How cool is that?

Ok not really all that cool, but still...

[Boo]

Finally! They are gone! Ugly things!

[Lew]

Originally Posted by Boo

Finally! They are gone! Ugly things!

What was the process of removing?

[rexcramer]

IIRC mine came of with rubbing alcohol and a tooth brush.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by Lew

What was the process of removing?

Removing the warning graphic from the visors:
On my '02 S I was able to essentially scrape the artwork off with my fingernail to start. It came off in small scrapes, but easily. It left residue all over which I cleaned off with a soft cloth with a small soaking of brake fluid. Followed it all up with a soapy water rinse and then Back-To-Black.