Boxster S coming out of storage?

[dantm]

My wife has a Boxster S (2006) which is coming out of storage after ~1 year. Mileage on it is low, around 25K miles.

I don't think it had the brake fluid changed for the last ~2 years, it had an oil change ~1.5-2 years ago (after which it was driven very little then stored for 1 year). It did have a water pump done about 2.5 years ago which included coolant change/flush.

Can anybody please chime in on what I should plan on doing to the car to bring it up to good and healthy running condition? I thought an oil change and brake flush would be the least to do?

Thank you.

[mikefocke]

Inspect tires, both for pressure and dry rot.

Oil change, filter at very earliest possibility.

Charge battery...probable replace.

Check fluids (brake, PS, oil, anti-freeze, window washer). Check belts. Open engine hatch and inspect for rodent wiring damage. Might even dump a can of Techron in. That is mighty old gas.

Turn key, drive gently with cell phone to get oil changed, gas filled. Then just keep a watch on things.

Lets see what others say.

[BYprodriver]

The gas is probably rotten after a year, remove the gas cap & smell to see how I came up with this term. The engine will not run well on the liquid now in your tank there is a gas additive called Sta-bil to prevent this for long term storage, I don't know if it works retroactively but you should find out since this would be the easiest solution if it works after the fact. Otherwise you need to remove as much of the bad gas from the car as is practical & dilute the remander with fresh top tier (Chevron) premium & drive until the engine fully warms up at least.

[dantm]

Thank you both for the feedback.

The car had been stored on a trickle charger so I'd hope the battery is not an issue. Gas was maybe 1/4 tank (not intentionally but rather accidentally -- I think it's better to store it full?) so maybe some stabilizer and adding 93+ octane to fill it up would do the trick?

With regards to belt check -- are we talking about the main drive belt behind the seats?

Thanks.

[mikefocke]

Yes the serpentine belt behind the seats.

[dantm]

So I looked at the history/records for this vehicle and it looks to be well maintained in the past

10/07/2009 @ 13K miles

- oil change
- air filter
- cabin filter
- brake flush (I didn't know it had this done)
- coolant flush
- drive belt inspect

12/07/2010 @ 18K miles

- oil change
- cabin filter
- air filter
- spark plugs

- water pump + gasket
- coolant flush
- belt change


The car has been driven ~5-6K miles since -- as such I think redoing the oil change and maybe changing the tires should be sufficient?

Brake pads should also be on my list; I don't think they've ever been changed. What about the brake flush should it be done every ~2 years irregardless of mileage?

Thank you.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by dantm

So I looked at the history/records for this vehicle and it looks to be well maintained in the past

10/07/2009 @ 13K miles

- oil change
- air filter
- cabin filter
- brake flush (I didn't know it had this done)
- coolant flush
- drive belt inspect

12/07/2010 @ 18K miles

- oil change
- cabin filter
- air filter
- spark plugs

- water pump + gasket
- coolant flush
- belt change


The car has been driven ~5-6K miles since -- as such I think redoing the oil change and maybe changing the tires should be sufficient?

Brake pads should also be on my list; I don't think they've ever been changed. What about the brake flush should it be done every ~2 years irregardless of mileage?

Thank you.

Proper tire storage slows degrading the rubber so if they have not been exposed to UV light (much like your skin) you are probably OK just inspect the tires for cracks especially next to the wheels. I think flourescent light is the only other source for UV light. Porsches have brake pad wear sensor warning lights on the dash so I wouldn't worry about that as long as it stops properly. Brake fluid should be flushed every 2 years, I'm in So.CA so I go 3 years. Sta-bil site FAQ says it does not work retroactively so too late for that, also says standard dose is good for up to 1 year, I would focus all your efforts on this problem. There is a excellant chance the fuel injecters will never function 100% until they are removed & sent to a shop that pressure cleans & tests them. If it were me I would probably change the oil & start the engine. It's not going to run well but depending on how it runs, fill the tank full & try to get fresh fuel to the injecters.