Boxster storage

[M. Murphy]

I am about to purchase a 97 Boxster base and I plan on storing over the winter like I stored my 944. This would involve prepping the car, removing the battery and enclosing the car in a plastic Carjacket. I am wondering if there could be possible damage to the IMS bearing because of the period of no rotation. Also, are there any control units that might have to be reset when the battery is re installed?
Thanks,

[Cajundaddy]

Change the oil just prior to storage to protect the IMS from corrosion. Removing the battery will wipe the readiness codes and adaptive fuel trims but 50 miles of driving should get things reset.

[M. Murphy]

Thanks, fresh oil just prior is part of the plan. The readiness codes and adaptive fuel trims are in familiar to me.

[mikefocke]

Radio code and windows settings too IIRC.

I stored my Boxster in my spare driveway under a Noah-fabric car cover from California Car Covers. It is easy enough for one person to put it on and off, stands up to sun and snow and ice and sheds water while allowing water vapor to escape. I'm amazed how well it tolerated being scraped with a push broom to remove snow. When it suddenly warmed up, I wanted to go out and play and not wait for 8" of snow to melt off the car.

I checked the fluid level in the battery and topped it off with distilled water. And I checked the voltage of the fully charged battery (link to how to test the battery). If you are going to put a maintainer on the battery for weeks/months at a time, the battery needs to be in good condition to begin with and able to hold a charge. If it can't hold a charge, it will send a signal to the maintainer/charger that its voltage is low. Such a constant signal will tell the maintainer to charge constantly which can overcharge the battery, evaporate the battery fluid, warp the plates, short the battery and can cause a gas explosion which will ruin your trunk and the trunk lid. Don't use a simple charger as they don't shut off and will overcharge the battery.

I used a Porsche Battery maintainer that I connected through a 100 foot extension cord that is routed through the slot in the weather-stripping underneath the passenger door to the “cigarette lighter” socket in the dash. Get under the open door and you’ll see how the slot is perfect for the cord to pass through to the interior while allowing the door and window to shut completely. Keeps the critters out.

I parked on the flat so I don’t have to fix the parking brake lest it rust and need to be broken lose when I want to drive the car again.

I filled the gas tank completely full to prevent condensation and rust inside the tank (though people tell me the Porsche gas tank doesn't need it). I added some Sta-Bil brand additive which prevents the gas from changing into a form that would clog the fuel lines (varnish). I tried to make the last few tanks of gas before storage 100% gas and not ethanol blended.

I did this through 3 winters with zero problems.

People recommend moth balls in the trunks and cabin (in containers, not on the carpet) to discourage mice and other critters. And desiccant pails on the floorboards to keep the interior dry. I’ve never needed either (but then I park it outdoors and the critters prefer the car parked indoors because it is warmer and out of the wind).

I Gummi Pflege all the rubber weather-stripping and other rubber seals to keep it flexible and prevent the metal from sticking to the rubber. And I polish the car and make sure that it is dust free when I put the cover on because I don’t want the dust being ground into the paint by the cover shifting in the wind.

I’d change the oil just before I put it away for the winter under the theory that the old oil contains water and absorbed gases that can rot bearings. I'd also park it just after a long hot run that allowed the most burn off of those contaminants.

Not a bad idea to top off the windshield washer fluid and the anti-freeze too (Porsche brand only on that anti-freeze).

Guenter in Ontario (who has to store his for multiple months of the year) suggested these additions for longer storage.

Inflate the tires to 55PSI.
Park the car on 2 inch Styrofoam blocks to prevent the tires from sitting on the cold floor and getting flat spots.
Park on the flat, put blocks for and aft (that's in front of and in back of for you landlubbers) the rear tires and don't set the parking brake lest it rust and lock up.
Unlock the front trunk and leave ajar so you'll be able to get at the battery if the battery should die. The light will go out after about a half hour. But that lets critters in so painters masking tape off the gaps between the hood and the fenders/ bumper.
Tape over the side vents and exhaust pipes with painters masking tape to keep out rodents.

[M. Murphy]

Thanks, my routine for the past seven years in storing my 944 was to wash, wax, fill fluids, a Stabil the gas, remove the battery put that in the basement on the maintainer. The Carjacket is spread out on one side of my garage, the car goes on it, soft cover on the car with desiccant under it, then the jacket gets zipped up. So it looks like the front trunk needs to be propped open after battery removal? I thought the release was manual. Live & learn.

[Emo993]

I do pretty much the same......except my cayman S sits in a nice heated garage (winter in Wisconsin) so I also leave the doors and hoods ajar (first click) to keep blubber seals firm. Also I put old rolled up socks, one each under the windshield wiper arm to lift blade off glass, wipers work great first rain in spring. Best, Mark

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Hey guys...if you're interested or in need of an excellent car cover for the winter, we've extended our CoverKing promo until the 15th. We're offering 10% off. Let us know your thoughts on it.

Coverking Special Offer - Pelican Parts


-Dmitry

[M. Murphy]

Thanks, as it turns out my Boxster is a 98. I was wondering, is the front trunk release on the 98 electrical or mechanical?

[mikefocke]

98 was mechanical.

No need to worry in over winter storage if you have a battery maintainer hooked to the car through the lighter socket. My car was electric and I never bothered with the hood access because using the maintainer said the battery would always be charged.

Consider accessing the emergency trunk release and relocating it to just behind the tow hook access panel on the bumper for easier access in normal conditions..