Help water and hardtop - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Outkasted · 10-01-2022, 01:25 PM

Ok I left the boxster outside for the first time since getting the hardtop. I bought the hardtop because I couldn’t figure out where water was getting in. Check today and have water underneath both seats. Any ideas to where it would be getting in. Doors are dry and floorboard ahead of seats seems dry.

rick3000 · 10-01-2022, 01:50 PM

Sounds like water is getting in around the clamshell and the drains under the convertible top are clogged and overflowing into the cabin. The hardtop doesn't cover the back edge of the clamshell. This is the most common source of water under the seats, a quick search will pull up diagrams, instructions on how to clean the drains, and the part numbers of the 987 drain covers you can install to keep them from getting clogged again.

Outkasted · 10-01-2022, 04:09 PM

I will have to go back and watch the cleaning drains video but did that before.

mikefocke · 10-03-2022, 02:31 PM

Be VERY VERY careful in monitoring water that is ending up under your seats and correcting the problem ASAP.

There is a central alarm control module under one of the seats (left seat on U.S. cars, not sure if it's under the right seat on UK cars), but you can't miss it. It's a large square metal box directly under the seat. If it gets flooded, you are looking at about a $2,000 repair. It also controls the ignition and a number of other functions. When it gets wet, you can sometimes resurrect it by opening it up and drying it out but it's much better to prevent it from happening.

Removing the seat is a very simple matter. There are four torx bolts holding down each seat, but you can get them off with a 10mm small drive (1/4 inch) regular socket if you are careful.

To take the seat completely out, you will have to disconnect the large connector under the seat. DO NOT disconnect that connector with the ignition on or turn the ignition on while the connector is disconnected or you will set off your airbag light. That can then only be reset with a PST2, PIWIS or Durametric unit. There is the possibility of setting the seat on the ground next to the car without disconnecting the connector, but it does get in the way a little. If you go that route, you don't have to worry about the airbag light.

As far as diagnosing the water leak problem, fill a quart jar with water and put a pan on the ground just forward of each rear wheel to catch the water as you pour it down each drain hole. The drains exit just forward of the rear wheels. If you have a full quart after it all drains out, your problem lies elsewhere than a clogged drain.Be sure to check each foam liner drain tray for any rips or tears, especially in the area directly beneath the V-levers that operate the pushrods of the convertible top. If you ever had one of those pushrods break and the V-lever rotated with the broken pushrod dangling, it will invariably cause a tear in the drain tray that will in turn cause water to leak into the passenger compartment.

You can buy the drain trays separate from Porsche.

Porsche calls them "water drip pan" .

The part numbers are as follows:

986 561 805 03 (Left side)

986 561 806 03 (Right side).

They each list for $75.76, but you should be able to get them for less from Sunset Imports.

Replacement is straightforward but a little time consuming. The most involved part is the removal of the three bolts (and either one or two phillips head screws) that hold the base of the convertible top frame onto the car. You will also have to remove the 19mm bolt that holds the V-lever onto the convertible top transmission, then the V-lever itself. Then there are a couple of large plastic "screws" at the rear of the convertible top well on each side.

If you don't want to spend the $$ and the tears are not too bad, you can repair the drain trays with black urethane sealant.

Again, whatever you decide, be very careful about the water and the alarm control unit under the seat.

(Thanks to Maurice for this text)