gandrade1

I am getting ready to do my first oil change. I bought 4 stands and one low profile jack. I also added hockey pucks to the stands and jack with the help of someone from this forum. My question is: how can you jack only the left side? What about the need for the car to be leveled? Is it safe to have only two jack stands in the car? Do you have some pics of where you jacked the car (I am assuming you used the alternative jacking point) and where you placed the other stand? Sorry for the many questions, but I want to make sure I do this safely. Thanks, Gus

Hi Maurice, Thank you so much for the complete instructions above. I took a look at the top and found most of the parts you mentioned except the ones in number 2 above. Do you have any pics of what I have to disconnect here? In addition, based on your experience on how to reassemble the top, do you think I should try to remove the 'plastic clips' (red in my case) or just go for removing the bolts with the big washers and marking the position of the 'arms'. Thanks, Gustavo

Those guys must have had a learning disability then. We had our frame off in 10 minutes and back on in 15 minutes doing it twice as I had not bent a part back into shape correctly the first time. I believe you have 3 bolts each side and they are self centering so there is not "sweet spot" you have to find for the top to fit. Where they unbolt is where they go back. There was no need for a left/right cable adjustment either. Including the cam arms it's 10 times easier then any other convertible I've ever taken off. Maybe the 2nd generation boxsters are more difficult but not the first gen. Shawn Do you have instructions (a posting here) on how to do it? Thanks, Gus

I went to the movies on a shopping mall in NJ (Garden State Plaza) on Friday, but did not notice the cut until next morning when I woke up and decided to work on the Throttle Body cleaning. I park my car overnight in an individual garage so no way it could have happened there . The route you suggest seem pretty reasonable. I would definitly appreciate if you could send me the steps. How do I find a reputable shop in the area? Have you heard of any? Thanks, Gus

Hi guys, It happened to me this weekend. Some unhappy guy slit the plastic window on my convertible top, I guess only for the fun of it :angry: Ok, now my choices are: (1) pay the $1,000 comprehensive insurance detuctible + differential between the dealer hourly rate and the insurance covered rate and have a new top (with plastic) installed; (2) Find someone who will sew a plastic window on my current top (and, no I dont have the skills to do it myself) and I will be picking on its imperfections evrytime I look at it; (3) Pay the $1,000 bucks to the insurance and get a GAHH top installed by a reputable shop that doesn't go over the $50 hour rate that my insurance covers !!! 50 bucks, come on! I need some guidance. What do you guys suggest? Does anyone happen to know a good shop in NJ / NY area that will do the job well? Thank you so much, Gustavo :renntech:

Thanks geoff and Loren, I cleaned the TB yesterday. Well, I guess the warm engine helped a bit but it was a challenge, nevertheless. The air duct is tough to get out and, yes, even worse to get in. Took me, over one and half hour of squeezing, pushing and pulling to get it back in. :angry: Well, all said and done I like the results, but I am sure I coul dimprove my technique a lot! Thanks, guys Gustavo

No problem. I wish I could have come up with the magic sequence of twisting, wiggling and swearing that worked for getting the tube off and later back on the throttle body. If not for that challenge, the whole task is just a little more than a half hour job. If anyone has any tricks or tips, I'd love to hear for the next time. Maybe Loren or TP know some magic trick :P Guys, I gave it a another try today... the air duct just wont give away. I am getting frustrated. I think all the dirt accumulated around the throttle, just made the tube even stickier and it wont come out. I have been pulling pretty hard to the point where the intake moves slightly. Is there an easier way to do this. Could it be that the cold made the tube even harder to remove? It was indeed a pretty cold day today around here in NJ. Any ideas from the Boxster masterminds? Thank you so much, Gustavo

The car looks amazing and the history encouraging, however do not get any PCar, specially a turbo, without a Pre-Purchase Inspection... I was looking at a spotless 03 Carrera a couple of months ago, clean carfax, 22k miles. Got the PPI done, it turns out it had a leak (RMS). If the PPI is done by a reputable shop, they can also provide you with an idea of what maintanence costs to expect. My 2 cents.... I hope it works out with this baby. Good luck, Gus

Thank you so much geoff, I guess your assessment is very close to mine - it is not a 30 minutes to 1hr job and would deserve some thought on to what the steps are to remove the TB and reassemble everything. And yes, cleaning the throttle is the easy part! That being said, your steps sound pretty clear to me and simply explained so that someone with my modest skill set can pursue. Thank you very much.... I will give this thing another try, during the weekend and will let you know what I come out with. If you don't mind I will bother you for some help if I get stuck once more. Thanks, Gus

Hi guys, I opened the engine again to take some pics and I tried to get the TB out once more. In the picture below I loosened the hose clamp in blue, number 3 (the screw popped out and got lost in the open parking lot and I had to replace it with a generic, PepBoys clamp). Then I loosened the other hose clamp - number 2. After all this I could not move the tube a single inch from the TB, but the number 3 end came out easily. Should I just keep on pulling the end close to the TB or is there an easier way to do this? Can I cause any damage by pulling hard... I also added a second picture just to show how dirty the Throttle is on the outside... I really need this cleaning. Any help is appreciated.

Hi Tool Pants, I opened my engine for the first time the past weekend with the intent to remove and clean the throttle body (TB). I have a 01 Boxster (egas) 40k miles. I gave up because the engine was very dirty in general and the components (tubes) don't look as flexible as I assumed they would be. I decided to give the engine a superficial clean and pursue the TB this week. I was surprised how little space there is to access the parts and screws specially the ones in the lower portion of the TB. I am not sure whats the best sequence to get the TB out of there and in - hopefully :unsure: - again . I have a couple of questions: (1) What do I need to remove in order to have space to get the TB out of the car? Should I remove the air duct (large tube) in the end opposite to the intake ? (2) Are there any other component I need to remove, tubes to disconnect. I am very inexperienced working with engines and am a little skeptical on whether I can get this all back in....But want to give it a try. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks Gus

I have had a hardwired Escort 850 for one year now...Apart from the false alarms it is good overall. I heard from friends and read that the Valentine 1 is very similar except for the arrows - both rank the same in tests except for Ka band where Escort is superior. I would try the new Escort 950i - it supposedly eliminates false alarms through GPS capabilities, has a more modern design and can be purchased in almost any reputable eletronics store - price is very close to the Valentine's. Just my 2 cents Gus

Hi Loren, Were can I find instructions on cleaning the MAF? I know the product to be used is different. Thanks, Gustavo

Thanks Mike, I will do the cleaning this weekend...Couple of Questions: (1) Do I need to disconect the batery before I do it to avoid any CEL codes? Can this process lead to CEL codes at all? (2) What pressure should I put when puting the screws back together? I just bought a torque wrench and have been looking for an opportunity to use it... :jump: Hahahahah (3) Should I go ahead and take the opportunity to clean the MAF ? If yes, where do I find instructions... Thanks, Gus

Hi guys, I moved the AC Unit to the upper console and the faceplate that surrounded it in the lower console doesn't fit. I need to know what the part number is for the frame that goes around the AC in the upper console. I know that many have done the opposite - moved the AC monitor to the lower console and might an extra faceplate ... I would be willing to buy it. Thanks, Gus

Thank you guys for all the help... I am leaning towards a not so expensive jack adapted with the hockey puck... My big concern now is how to keep the car stable and safe during the repair, should I go for jack stands ? If so, what kind works? I wish I were good at wood working, but that is another skill I am still to acquire. My other question is: dont ramps replace the need for jack and stands? I found these online:ramp What do you guys think? Best, Gus The ramps in your link are typical of what you can get and any parts store, sears, etc. There are plastic alternatives now which may not slide (be pushed) as easily. These ramps are a quick, steep rise....therefore the car may try to push them when attempting to drive up. The ones that I described made of wood are a gradual incline, 1.5" at a time. I have 4 ramps so I can elevate all 4 wheels at once if I want. Can't do that with the commercial ones like in the link. Not enough clearance under the car for the second set. Often a pair of ramps AND a pair of jackstands are a good alternative. Oh...one other safety issue....don't forget to chock wheels so the car can't possibly roll when jacking, while on ramps, etc. The brake should be set, but don't count on it without wheel chocking. Leave the car in gear if possible (first gear or reverse) too. Be sure that the car can't be tapped by another vehicle while raised. Before getting under the car, I like to lean a thigh into it and see if there is any shake. If so, DON'T go under it until it's stablized. Bob Thanks, Bob For now I think I am gonna settle for a jack and a pair of stands... Will this Jack work? Jack

Thank you guys for all the help... I am leaning towards a not so expensive jack adapted with the hockey puck... My big concern now is how to keep the car stable and safe during the repair, should I go for jack stands ? If so, what kind works? I wish I were good at wood working, but that is another skill I am still to acquire. My other question is: dont ramps replace the need for jack and stands? I found these online:ramp What do you guys think? Best, Gus

Hi Guys, I am planing to start doing my own oil changes and would like to know whats is the safest way to lift my Boxster for service. I have heard some horror stories (none particular to Porsches) about people getting smashed by their cars. There is a PepBoys across from my house...Is there anything I could get there or in any alike store that would do the job? Any tips on how to lift the car, such as how far to put the ramps and how to distribute the jack(s)? Thank you very much, Gus :renntech:

Hi Maurice, I know it is a little off topic :huh: but I also live close to NYC...What mechanic do you take your car to? I have been looking for a while. Thanks, Gus

I am going through the same problem with my 01 US Boxster - need throttle body cleaning....did a search, but could not find a doc on how to do it for the 986... Thanks, Gustavo It is easy to do. In fact the job I did also was the first time I had opened up the engine compartment at all. The biggest issue for me was the stiffness of the intake plastic tubes. You really have to yank on them pretty hard and loosen up the end opposite of the throttle body intake (to get a little play in there) --- I found a few online DIY places for instructions on getting access to the engine, then I just figured out the rest. If you have any questions, let us know. Best of luck. Thank you for the prompt input... How long did it take you to do the whole thing...BTW it is also going to be my first time opening the engine compartment Thanks, Gus

I am going through the same problem with my 01 US Boxster - need throttle body cleaning....did a search, but could not find a doc on how to do it for the 986... Thanks, Gustavo

I am from the opinion that knowing the size of your car is an essential step to get familiar with it, and the easiest and safest way to develop that is through parallel parking. The parking sensors are, in my opinion, something you get used to and, although convenient (and annoying - my perception), make you less in-touch with your car... But again...it is a matter of personal opinion... Thanks, Gus

Why not use the porsche mats http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant...96gt3interiorup That is a great, great question!!!

What dealership did you go to...so that I can avoid it...I live in the same region... Try Prestige Porsche Nanuet, NY...I have heard they are pretty good and fair Best, Gustavo

Hi Loren, I am running out of time to close the deal and opinions... Do you or anyone else have any suggestion? FYI - Brey-Krause has not responded to me yet. Thanks, Gustavo