Problems with my Boxster

[paultither]

Hey all, I'm a newbie so go easy on me!

I recently joined the Porsche club with a my first Porsche, a 1997 Boxster 2.5. After just a month of ownership I'm having one or two problems, and wonder if you guys can help me out?

1. I've had the coolant light flashing at me a couple of times, after topping it up I have noticed some liquid under the centre toward the right hand side of the car. Anyone know what the problem is?

2. My next problem is a leaking on the passengers side front wheel arch (remember this is a UK car so right hand drive). Its a pale yellow liquid, I think this is the windshield washer fluid leaking - how do I fix this?

3. I'm having real trouble removing the wheels. Ive removed all five wheels bolts but cant shift any of them. Is the bolt behind the centre cap something I need to remove or are the wheels just being stubborn?

4. This morning I started it up and noticed the countdown for the oil levels was not the usual 5 seconds, but was 60 seconds, whats this mean?

Help, I'm really concerned that all these problems could be something serious.

[Brucelee]

Welcome aboard.

The coolant recovery tank often splits as it is plastic. Fairly easy to replace.

On the wheels, do you see any evidence of rust/corrosion? A rubber mallet on the side of the tire may free the wheel. There is no secret bolt that you are missing.

Liquid in the front could be coolant from the lines or radiator. Get the car up on the lift and take a look.

Good luck.

[djomlas]

ticking timer for oil varies, so don't worry bout that at all, as long as its showing the oil levels

[paultither]

Originally Posted by djomlas

ticking timer for oil varies, so don't worry bout that at all, as long as its showing the oil levels

It just tried it again and it said 5 seconds so slightly relieved, thanks for the advice. I can't shift those goddam wheels at all! I'm scared of pulling it to hard and it slipping off the jack or it ruining the wheel hub!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by paultither

It just tried it again and it said 5 seconds so slightly relieved, thanks for the advice. I can't shift those goddam wheels at all! I'm scared of pulling it to hard and it slipping off the jack or it ruining the wheel hub!

They must have been on there a long time and corrosion has bonded the wheel to the hub. You'll have to give it a good whack like Brucelee said in order to break them loose. Are all the wheels stuck or just one?

[paultither]

Originally Posted by Adam

They must have been on there a long time and corrosion has bonded the wheel to the hub. You'll have to give it a good whack like Brucelee said in order to break them loose. Are all the wheels stuck or just one?

All of them unfortunately. The car was stood for 8 months before I got it so I'm guessing there is a little corrosion.

I've used a spray oil called WD40 which should loosen them, I'll leave it overnight and try again tomorrow!

[funster]

I've had the stuck wheel thing on an audi which was solved with a few kicks to one side of the wheel.

[2000SoCalBoxsterS]

O.K. Paul, here is what I can tell you from my experience:

1. The radiator is in the front of the Boxster while in engine and coolant reservoir is in the back. So, you must have a leak somewhere in front where the pipes or coolant lines bring the coolant to the front radiator for cooling. Need to get it up on a lift (and I don't mean in an elevator)

2. The windshield wiper fluid tank is under the front drivers side fender (at least on my U.S. Boxster) and can be seen and accessed by first removing the front wheel (which is your problem # 3) and then you need to remove the inner fender wheel well plastic liner. Once this is removed (pain in the ass) you can clearly see the windshield (screen) washer fluid tank. This leaking problem happened on my Boxster and all it was, was a little plastic tube/hose that popped off of the fluid tank. It took me like an hour to get to it, and then 10 seconds to fix by pushing the plastic tube back on to the nipple that it popped off of.

3. The wheels don't have a center bolt behind the cap. All I can say to this one is use some "Liquid Wrench" or "WD-40 Spray" and let it sit for a while on the lug bolts. Then tap all around the back of the wheel with a big rubber mallet and see if that breaks the wheel free.

4. The oil countdown should not take long when the car has been sitting for a while and the oil has had a chance to drain back down into the oil pan. It is usually when you start the car shortly after having driven it that the countdown takes longer. 60 seconds for a cold start is too long. I'd have a qualified repair shop look at that problem. Be sure to use the oil measuring dip stick to confirm the level of oil in the engine.

Good Luck.

[paultither]

Thought I would update you all.

I managed to get the wheels off by placing some wood behind the wheel and hitting it with a lump hammer. Hard work but effective.

The coolant problem was jubilee clips which had rusted and weren't holding the pipes in place properly. Got that sorted too.

The oil countdown was not a problem. Thank the lord.

The leak at the front is not the washer pipe but is in fact the front radiator leaking. Porsche quoted me £1500 / $3000 to fix this. My jaw nearly hit the floor! I've looked around and can get hold of one for £100 / $200. How easy are they to replace?

Unfortunately because the soft top hasn't been used for about a year it seized up when they tried to close it. Luckily I have a hard top. Don't know what the problem is yet, waiting for the car to be returned. Has anyone had this problem before?

[porsche986spyder]

Originally Posted by paultither

Unfortunately because the soft top hasn't been used for about a year it seized up when they tried to close it. Luckily I have a hard top. Don't know what the problem is yet, waiting for the car to be returned. Has anyone had this problem before?

Could be the motor is burnt out or the cable that is used has come off or has broken. Good luck.

[Dr. Kill]

Sorry to hear about all of your troubles. Hopefully you will have it all sorted out soon.