The Houston 04 SE

[MWS]

Pardon if this suggestion is beyond obvious, but if you get to the point when you would like to try to start the car, I would have all the nonessential electronics disconnected and then start adding them back in one at a time (or add "donor" components)....this way you won't be trying to chase gremlins throughout the entire electrical system, and should be easy enough to find if one component is bad.

Additionally, the per your pic of the climate board...even though there is no obvious corrosion, I would think the IC's would be toast, but then again, I might be wrong.

I said this before, but you sir are a braver man than I...and I salute you for being so.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by MWS

Pardon if this suggestion is beyond obvious, but if you get to the point when you would like to try to start the car, I would have all the nonessential electronics disconnected and then start adding them back in one at a time (or add "donor" components)....

That sounds good. At first, only essentials in the car, then rather than putting the original stuff back in, I'll use my spares (as much as possible). After I know the basic systems and are harness good, I'll switch in the original equipment one by one (the parts that cleaned up and looked good).

So far I have done much of what Markus suggested, except I haven't applied power to the car yet. I put power directly to the starter with the intake and throttle body removed. First with the spark plugs out, then later with the spark plugs in. All of this with the exhaust drained and open and fresh oil with anti rust additive (marine oil).

I pushed other my project car out of the garage today, but still need to clean up and organize my junk before the Houston SE goes in.


My grandson (6 years old) will be visiting this weekend, so probably not much progress unless he wants to play with cars.

[911monty]

Impressed with the progress you're making AND time for the grandkids! Curious if there was any water in the intake tract downstream of the TB. I would think since TB was closed and tested to 26" manifold vacuum it should have been water tight. The exhaust side of course is open and 2 exhaust valve should be in various states of open but interesting they were same bank. As far as debris the catalyst is a pretty good strainer, so I wouldn't remove the headers unless you really want to. Since exhaust is stainless and water (condensation) is normal, The muffler is all I'd think that needs to be inspected. Carry On!!!

[Smallblock454]

Originally Posted by 911monty

As far as debris the catalyst is a pretty good strainer, so I wouldn't remove the headers unless you really want to.

Problem is, that there was too little engine oil in the engine and a lot of water. So it's possible that the engine oil is in the exhaust system and in the cats. In my opionion it's highly recommended to remove the exhaust system at the headers and check if there is engine oil in the exhaust system / cats.

My experience says grandsons always wants to play with cars. But it's questionable if you really have progress with the work you want to do on your cars.

Have a good time with your grandson and family. Much more important than cars.

Regards, Markus

[911monty]

Originally Posted by Smallblock454

Problem is, that there was too little engine oil in the engine and a lot of water. So it's possible that the engine oil is in the exhaust system and in the cats. In my opionion it's highly recommended to remove the exhaust system at the headers and check if there is engine oil in the exhaust system / cats.


Regards, Markus

Totally agree. However, while motor oil may kill the cats, the only way to know will be to run them and cook the oil out with exhaust heat. I don't know the condition of the exhaust manifold to head bolts, but at this point I wouldn't risk breaking a few just to see if there is oil in there when we all know the answer to that one (see post 38). If the cats fail deal with it then. They may be fine. Lots of failed AOS that oil soaked cats came back from.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Totally agree. However, while motor oil may kill the cats, the only way to know will be to run them and cook the oil out with exhaust heat. I don't know the condition of the exhaust manifold to head bolts, but at this point I wouldn't risk breaking a few just to see if there is oil in there when we all know the answer to that one (see post 38). If the cats fail deal with it then. They may be fine. Lots of failed AOS that oil soaked cats came back from.

Markus, Monty... Yes the cats have oil in them. I am fortunate to have 2 complete Boxster S exhaust systems in my storm cellar full of car parts. I will back-flush the primary cats, with water, then some waste Jet Fuel (like Kerosine), while I have the O2 sensors out. If they fail, I'll replace them later.

Dave, Thanks for introducing me to Grassroots.

I drove to Missouri and picked up my grandson in a Boxster. "Granny drives an SUV, Grampa drives a sports car..."
(Airbags are disabled in this one.)

[911monty]

[QUOTE=78F350;561190]Markus, Monty... Yes the cats have oil in them. I am fortunate to have 2 complete Boxster S exhaust systems in my storm cellar full of car parts. I will back-flush the primary cats, with water, then some waste Jet Fuel (like Kerosine), while I have the O2 sensors out. If they fail, I'll replace them later.


I'm not sure this is a good idea. Just a rich fuel mixture causes the cats to overheat and burn out. Wouldn't want to see the exothermic reaction that would happen with raw fuel in there. I've never actually heard of any cleaners for cats.


PS: Actually I did see a buddies 2006 chevy pickup with a bad supercharger install dumping raw fuel into the cats. They were bright red, almost white, and the undercoating was dripping from the frame rails. Towed his boat to my house to show me.....Amazing it didn't burn down in my driveway.

[Smallblock454]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Totally agree. However, while motor oil may kill the cats, the only way to know will be to run them and cook the oil out with exhaust heat. I don't know the condition of the exhaust manifold to head bolts, but at this point I wouldn't risk breaking a few just to see if there is oil in there when we all know the answer to that one (see post 38). If the cats fail deal with it then. They may be fine. Lots of failed AOS that oil soaked cats came back from.

The US SE has 4 cats. 2 in the headers and 2 before the muffler. One problem i see is back pressure. Oil / water mixture in cats can be very tough / doughy (don't know the right english word). If you want to start the car, this can cause more problems than a sheared off head bolt. Also if the oil starts to burn (specially the header cats) by exhaust temperature, the cats will clog / die in a short time.

There are specialized companies that can clean oil contaminated catalytic converters. Oil contamination happens often if turbochargers fail.

And yes, if one or more header bolt shears off this is also a problem. But if you soak them in rust dessolver (min. 2-3 days and don't start the engine in this time) and clean them extensively (best is to soak and clean more than one time) with a steel brush before you try to open them in general they don't shear off. In my opinion these shear off fails are often caused by much too short preparation time.

My approach is always to check for risks and try to go the way with the least risks. Even if it takes more time. And for shure everybody has made it's own experiences and has it's own opinion. In the end everything can go wrong, even if you have tried to take all aspects in consideration.

Just my 2 cents…

Regards, Markus

[78F350]

I'm not sure this is a good idea. Just a rich fuel mixture causes the cats to overheat and burn out.

I was thinking of flushing them out long before actually running the engine. The Jet Fuel would all be evaporated out (and blown through with compressed air when I flushed) Do you think that would still be a problem?

...And yes, if one or more header bolt shears off this is also a problem. But if you soak them in rust dessolver (min. 2-3 days and don't start the engine in this time) ...

On the first day, I sprayed them with penetrating oil, and I have done it again a few times. There is still risk, but I think I can remove them safely if needed.

The rear cats and muffler are already unbolted. I am going to replace them with a good, dry parts before I start. The 'wet' muffler from this car will become my spare.