I have the identical side skirts as yours; I just cleaned off the inside mounting surface and used 3M auto tape like you did. Looks great.

Opened it up for the first time
 

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1559577147.jpg

So, seasoned Boxster veterans, laugh if you must! But, since getting my 2002S in the Fall I have not had the opportunity to really check out my car to the level I've wanted. Call it Chicago winter weather and a tiny (heated) garage in our tiny house that wouldn't allow me to open it up. But, yesterday was the day and I thank you all for the guidance of these months of lurking, so I knew pretty much what to do and what I'd see! I put it into Service Mode, opened up and cleaned up some things that I am sure have never been cleaned up and really got to check it out! I love the way these cars "go together!" No real mystery of the mid-engine-d car anymore! I've seen it! Again, thanks!

Replaced the brake booster servo (got a used one from this UK shop, and it was MINT/NEW condition). What can I say... the previous owner of the car never knew the joy of life! He was struggling with a sticky ON/OFF type of brake pedal, and a new one feels sooo much different. If your brake pedal feels heavy and way too sensitive, replace the brake booster, I absolutely recommend doing that. The old servo contained about one liter of rain water, and as much rust flakes. It was surely not looked after, and never replaced (was a 1998 pert like the car itself).

p.s. don't think the TWG brake servo upgrade is really worth the extra x10 markup on the price. You just need to make sure the drain holes are not plugged, and avoid parking on an incline nose-down during a rain, and you'll be fine with the stock Lucas part.

Very nice Cayman hardtop. Ouch, its price bites! But I am looking forward to buying one in the long run.

Brake Test
 

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1559584650.jpg

Used Brake Test tool to test water in Brake Fluid. This year makes 2 years since I changed it. Drive only in Summer/Fall. Seems there is less than 1% water in fluid after 2 years.

I have one of those and they work great. Some say after you open a bottle of brake fluid and recap it, it will not be good to use later.....My tool says different on unused brake fluid. Still good to use in my opinion.

I'm not laughing, you're way ahead of me! I've owned my 2003S since 2003 and haven't taken my engine cover off yet. (I have done lots of other stuff myself on the car over the years, replace front brake pads and rotors, short shifter, OBC, remove front bumper cover and clean radiators and ducts, clean and re-lube rear spoiler mechanism, just nothing under the engine cover!)

Am I the only one concerned about the condition of your air filter after 16 years?

And how about the power steering fluid level?

Good ones! I have seen my engine with the cover off at my independent Porsche specialist, they change the air filter and check the power steering fluid level when I take it in for service. Right now I have just 2,600 miles on the engine after its rebuild, there is a fresh 987 air filter in it and the power steering fluid was topped up! I meant to say that I have just never personally removed the engine cover myself!

Had to reattach the horn and Tiptronic shift selector buttons wire again today. This time I soldered the wire. Notice my car had just hit the 128K mile mark and yes that's on the stock IMSB.

https://i.postimg.cc/h45ytX2s/128k.jpg

Today I removed my front bumper cover, cleaned out my radiators and ducts, made sure both horns are working and installed a new frunk latch. The radiators were pretty clean. It wasn't really due yet, but I wanted to get the new latch in.

Installed the Cayman spoiler.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads0/...1559870834.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1559870865.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1559870888.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1559870901.jpg

You mean those wires come loose?

It's nice to see 128K on the original IMSB. Mine has a little over 92K and no records of it being replaced. :cheers:

Installed a new headlight switch last night. The old one was getting rather crunchy inside. :)

Installed a new head unithttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e1fcd1ba84.jpg

Sent from my MI 9 using Tapatalk

Dyed the Plastic Interior Parts
 

So the other day I ripped apart my interior because I realized that the carpeting never dried out from a water leak before I bought it. (check out my panic post when it didn't start!)

So since everything was apart, I decided to do something about the scratched interior plastic parts, specifically, the console. I didn't want to paint them because that'll end up getting scratched, and probably quicker than the original coating. I've seen spray interior 'dyes' which are nothing more than thin paint that could get scratched with a fingernail.


I first stripped off the 'soft-touch' coating, or whatever it's called, by soaking the parts in hot water and laundry detergent. In some cases, I was able to rub it off with my thumb, but most of it had to be scrubbed with a stiff nylon brush.

After I stripped the coating, some pieces had discoloration, most notably again, the center console. So, after some online research and some experimenting, I used Rit Dye-More Graphite color (because they don't make it in black) and acetone. The directions say to soak the parts in 200 degree water with the dye, and a blog I found says add acetone to the brew. I had no vat large enough for the console, so I decided to add the acetone directly to the bottle of dye and rub it on directly. I added a little acetone at a time until I got the desired results, while being very careful not to add too much to deform the texture. I ended up adding a total of 2 - 4 tablespoons of acetone to the bottle.

Here are the pics:

Console with scratched coating:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1559945404.jpg

Coating removed and discoloration:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1559945556.jpg

After dyeing process. There is a slight discoloration up top because, don't laugh, I tried to use a black sharpie to cover the discoloration before I went with the dye. It's not as bad as it looks in the pic.:
http://986forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21952&stc=1&d=15600350 89

That's great work! The interior part finish on our cars is so disappointing. I have the console out of my 996 right now. Thought I'd get it painted by local body shop but all the shops in our area are backed up due to cars damaged by hurricane Michael last October.

The rest of our country has no idea how bad that storm was....historic. Businesses you'd never thought of being affected are struggling as they can't hire enough labor because the labor can't find an affordable housing. Crazy!

Thanks! I'm hoping to have it all back together this weekend.

I also hope that things normalize for you. Unfortunately, with what seems like a new 'event' every day and our short news attention span, the plights of too many people have been forgotten. Heck, even the flooding and tornadoes of last week have been forgotten.

Best wishes.

Changed the fuel filter.
Car was running fine, but it seemed like a good idea as I have no record of when it was last changed. Decided to open the old filter for a look as it had a date of 2006 on it !! I found an amazing amount of black muck in the old filter, I'll be curious to see if I notice any performance changes.
I noted that the new filter I installed has a 2017 date on it (bought last month) so I'm guessing the old one dated 2006 may not have been installed in 2006, but surely has been in the car for a number of years.

This is the condition of my Audi fuel filter, 12 years, never changed, 135000+ miles. Not bad. Porche is next. I don't know if fuel filter has been changed.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1560017932.jpg

Drilled a Drain Hole
 

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. :barf:

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:


http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1560021274.jpg


Here's the hole with the drain tube:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1560021329.jpg


Here's a pic from underneath:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1560021471.jpg


And here's what the drain tube looks like:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1560021504.jpg

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

:eek: 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. :D

But what's lightning got to do with it?

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) :D:D:D:D

Alas, I shall repent!

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. ;)

Took FUNBOX to Palmer Motorsports park yesterday. Great weather.

Our PCA region, NER, is having a DE there this weekend and after the days runs we had parade runs, drinks and snacks, barbeque dinner and then a presentation by Lori Schutz, daughter of Peter Schutz, who was CEO of Porsche at some critical junctions.

I first took some pictures of the green run group for our regional magazine, the NOR'EASTER and then did the parade laps. Not because of the thrill, I get those at our vintage DEs, but because the track was set up clockwise. I have only run it anti clockwise and wanted to learn the track in that direction. Let the group blast ahead of me on the straights and then caught up with them on the twisty bits exploring the lines. To me it seems to be easier to drive in this direction. There are fewer blind corners.

Lori's speech was great and I learned several new things about Peter Schutz's era. The 911 time line I think everybody knows about, but I didn't realize that he also was the driving force behind Porsche getting serious about racing!

Drove home at disk with the top down. Terrific day.

Changed the air filter and checked the drive belt...still good

Went to my storage shed to put away some tools. While there made sure that the Boxster was resting well.

It comes out next week when I take my other car back to the body shop.

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.

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...

Before and After Visor Warning Removal
 

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1560295748.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1560295723.jpg
Finally! They are gone! Ugly things!

What was the process of removing?

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

Installed grill covers and new side marker lights
 

Made grill covers from mesh gutter guards. Had to take off the entire front of the car to install but found tons of bugs at least a pack of cigerette butts and other road trash in side. Also installed new side marker lights. I didn't like the orange US required ones.
Had my son clean all the parts as I took it apart!!!:)

Can't get my pictures to upload here but they are in my Garage photos...

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.

My God - What's Next - CUTTING WARNING LABELS OFF OF PILLOWS!!!!!

All caps - you know it's important

Not much going on here today as it's been raining, so I went out to see how the Meguiar's Ultimate Fast Finish was holding up.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vRnvmxWR50o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I finally put my interior back together after dyeing the console and a bunch of other black plastic stuff that had that worthless coating.http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1560385060.jpg

Also changed the air filter and cabin air filter. Which leads me to question #1: Does anyone know where this oil residue on the intake tube came from?
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1560385185.jpg

My first thought was that it came from the PS pump reservoir, but the cap looks dry.

Then I tried changing the drive belt, but the replacement was slightly too short. I had the tensioner bottomed out and I made sure the belt routing was correct and it sat correctly on the pullies. The last pulley I would have put it on was the idler pulley next to the tensioner. I could probably force the belt, but I was afraid since the tensioner was bottomed out, there's no telling how much tension would be on the belt (the spring tensioner is supposed to put a certain about of tension, but the spring won't do any good if it's totally bottomed out). That made me concerned about having too much tension on the water pump. Which, BTW, I will replace VERY soon because when I had the belt off, I noticed a tiny amount of play.

Question #2: Has anyone ever had this issue with a Gates K060832 belt?

EDIT: So I found my own answer to this. the Gates 832 belt is 2113.28 cm long. The belt should be 2115cm. So I wasn't crazy, the Gates belt IS just a little too short. Not recommended, even though ******************************** said it fits.


Question #3: Which brand T-stat is recommended? I know Pierberg is the recommended pump, but I haven't found what's recommended for the T-stat, except going with a 160.

And last question: While I'm replacing the WP and T-stat, is there anything else I should do while I'm in there?

Thanks in advance!