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Cayman - leaking and wet carpets driver side

DWaldie

New member
This isn't much use, but there is another thread on here somewhere involving blocked drains. The screen water drains into the front scuttle under the battery. Water ingress would explain the weird electrical issues. I'm sure someone will be more helpful than me 😉

 
Thanks for the reply.

I think I've read all the posts!

I'm no mechanic but I can't figure out the location on of these drains :rolleyes:

To me it looks like the water just enters the front by the wipers and drips in? Surely not?

Hope you're well.

Liam

 
Hi

Last week my car presented a warning regarding an indicator light not working, so I replaced the bulb. Still no joy. I then started to then get further warnings on the car. The car was still drivable and started fine, so I decided to book it in the dealer. They are behind on their workload at the dealership, so made an appointment for next week. Anyways, that night at 3am I noticed my car on the drive was performing it's own lights show. Headlights and interior lights going on and off randomly. So I knew I definitely had an electrical issue.

After googling I thought maybe the battery has failed. It’s 7 years old now. Google seemed to suggest this as a possibility.

Next day, the car is absolutely dead. Put the key and nothing. As I’m using the manual key release I noticed the carpets are soaking wet. To be honest, I’ve had issues with condensation for a little while now. The passenger side feels bone dry. There was a very clear difference between both sides.

I spent early morning today googling this issues and thought I can’t really wait till next week increase of further damage. I’m in a mechanical trade so decided to give it ago at diagnosis.

I used the red fuse boot release in the manual and managed to access the battery. Top tip – make sure it’s grounded on the doors pin and not the hinges arm!

Anyway, managed to get under the carpet. Soaking wet. I used towels to remove most of the water. Lucky there doesn’t seem to be any real damage. All the wiring looks fine etc.

I jump started the car and it appears to be ticking over fine. The battery is completely dead though, but I’ve got this horrible feeling I’ve felt the lights on, killed the battery and the water issue is just a side show. I don’t know right now. I’m hoping it’s a coincidence. That indicator that wasn’t working now is! No other error messages came up, only automatic start/stop has been disabled but I’m assuming this is because the battery is flat so the car will disable this initially.

I’m charging the battery now and I’ll try again in the morning. I’ve left the carpets to air out but I think it’ll take a long while. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thinking of buying a dehumidifier? I’ve got most of the water out of the carpet.

I am completely driving my self nuts. The car is a Cayman 2013 981. Does anyone know how I check for blocked drains? I have checked all the door seals and they seem great. The car is in really good condition as a whole. It’s under the official waterproof porsche outside cover mostly, but does live outside unfortunately.

I’ve googled and googled and I’m looking for a clear description on how to check for the drains being blocked? Can anyone please help me? I’ve had the battery out, obviously to charge it, and been digging around in the front area by the battery and can’t see any drainage at all. The plate the battery is sitting on appears wet which I thought was a little odd? Everywhere else in this area appears to be dry.

So, I guess I’m asking if anyone can guide me to checking the drains aren’t blocked? Any advice or further help would be greatly appreciated.

Photos - https://imgur.com/a/5kJeic8

Cheers
5kJeic8

 
Could it be condensate from the air conditioning that’s making the carpet wet, is there a condensate drain which passes through the cabin, if so it may be blocked?

 
Liam,

I have a 987.2 CS where the front drains are located on the horizontal panel adjacent to the battery - they look like black rubber bungs - so I'm sure your 981 is similar. Just remove the plastic panels to gain access and poke-out the drains out carefully then pour water through them to ensure they're clear. This link might be useful:

http://www.boxa.net/forum/topic/62774-how-to-spot-and-clear-987-drain-holes/

Since the leak is on the driver's side you could have a leak around the cabin filter which is on that side (see online for access and removal of the filter) or it could be a split in the driver's door diaphragm. Try pouring water on the window seal and check that you're not getting water coming out at the bottom of the trim panel.

Jeff

 
AndrewT said:
Could it be condensate from the air conditioning that’s making the carpet wet, is there a condensate drain which passes through the cabin, if so it may be blocked?

Hi Andrew

Thanks for your reply. Do you know where this condensate drain is located?

Many thanks

 
Motorhead said:
Liam,

I have a 987.2 CS where the front drains are located on the horizontal panel adjacent to the battery - they look like black rubber bungs - so I'm sure your 981 is similar. Just remove the plastic panels to gain access and poke-out the drains out carefully then pour water through them to ensure they're clear. This link might be useful:

http://www.boxa.net/forum/topic/62774-how-to-spot-and-clear-987-drain-holes/

Since the leak is on the driver's side you could have a leak around the cabin filter which is on that side (see online for access and removal of the filter) or it could be a split in the driver's door diaphragm. Try pouring water on the window seal and check that you're not getting water coming out at the bottom of the trim panel.

Jeff

Hi Jeff

Thanks for your response.

I'll have a look into the filter cabin and let you know how I get on.

With regards to the drain holes, I'm looking around the battery area and I honestly can't see anything. I must be blind. On the link you sent it appears to exist at the right hand side of the battery tray, is that correct? See the link below:

https://imgur.com/a/QPsWDvg

Thanks for your help.

 
Hi Liam,

As I mentioned, I have a 987.2 Cayman and the pics are for a 987 Boxster (they have a lot of problems with the rear drains clogging), so unfortunately I can't help specifically with the drain locations on your 981, but they must be in the same general area either side of the battery. Maybe you need to remove the battery tray to gain access, although I doubt it. Are they right in the corners behind the strut towers?

Sorry I can't provide any more assistance.

Jeff

 
Motorhead said:
Hi Liam,

As I mentioned, I have a 987.2 Cayman and the pics are for a 987 Boxster (they have a lot of problems with the rear drains clogging), so unfortunately I can't help specifically with the drain locations on your 981, but they must be in the same general area either side of the battery. Maybe you need to remove the battery tray to gain access, although I doubt it. Are they right in the corners behind the strut towers?

Sorry I can't provide any more assistance.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

I was wondering myself whether it drains by the front bonnets support struts.

I'm amazed there isn't any photos online of this model of car clearly identifying them. Is it only me who bought this car? I'm starting to wonder whether it has any drains [:D]

 
Liam,

I'm sure that there has to be front drainage. Just a thought but if you pour a small quantity of water into those areas you may be able to see where it drains, and it should exit somewhere near the base of the A-pillars if they're clear.

Jeff

 
Motorhead said:
Liam,

I'm sure that there has to be front drainage. Just a thought but if you pour a small quantity of water into those areas you may be able to see where it drains, and it should exit somewhere near the base of the A-pillars if they're clear.

Jeff

Hi Jeff

I tried this. Drivers side seems to exit via a small tube at the bottom of the car, inline with the wing mirror effectively - looks connected to the fuel opening too? The middle (gab by the wiper) seems to filter into the front bonnet and falls into the battery tray and drains to the passenger side through a hole on the battery tray. Some looks to fall further down too by some dark styrofoam?

Still not convinced this is correct. Do porsche allow the middle of the window to drain over the battery plate? Granted the battery is raised slightly.

 
Hi Jeff

Think I have found the issue. I'm not sure what this pipe is. Have a look at the following photo:

This pipe had come loose I believe.

https://imgur.com/a/ihSJMSl

This is by the left foot rest. Surely this is the issue. Is this something to do with the air con?

 
Draining close to / below the battery is not uncommon, my S4 and some previous cars have / had the same … perhaps to accommodate a possible split / leaking battery ?

There should also be a drain / link to the area around the washer fluid reservoir.

 
AndrewCS said:
Draining close to / below the battery is not uncommon, my S4 and some previous cars have / had the same … perhaps to accommodate a possible split / leaking battery ?

There should also be a drain / link to the area around the washer fluid reservoir.

Check my previous post - this pipe was loose underneath the drivers seat. Surely this is the issue. It appears to come from the console area - maybe the air con?

Ive taken three internal out - hope they all go back ok. Broke a few clips but I guess it’s fairly unavoidable unless you do this on a daily basis!

 
Liam87 said:
Hi Jeff

Think I have found the issue. I'm not sure what this pipe is. Have a look at the following photo:

This pipe had come loose I believe.

https://imgur.com/a/ihSJMSl

This is by the left foot rest. Surely this is the issue. Is this something to do with the air con?

That's most likely the problem Liam, and certainly the pipe should be connected. As Andrew mentioned above [post #4], it's most probably the A/C condensate drain.

Jeff

 
Motorhead said:
Liam87 said:
Hi Jeff

Think I have found the issue. I'm not sure what this pipe is. Have a look at the following photo:

This pipe had come loose I believe.

https://imgur.com/a/ihSJMSl

This is by the left foot rest. Surely this is the issue. Is this something to do with the air con?

That's most likely the problem Liam, and certainly the pipe should be connected. As Andrew mentioned above [post #4], it's most probably the A/C condensate drain.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

I'm fairly confident this must be the issue. I'm just trying to dry it out as much as possible. Then I've gotta stitch it all get together.

What a nightmare this weekend has been. Can't tell whether I have enjoyed it or not.

Hoping ive saved myself a good chunk of money.

Cheers jeff

 
My daily is an A4 based Seat. The whole cavity in front of and beneath the scuttle is known to fill with water if the two drains are not kept clear. They can only be properly accessed from the top and require the battery to be removed. If it fills up, it eventually leaks into the cabin. The culprit is usually leaf debris. I'll have a poke around mine later this week and see if it's similar to my Seat. My CS is the same vintage as yours.

 
Liam87 said:
Hi Andrew

Thanks for your reply. Do you know where this condensate drain is located?

Many thanks

Liam, it was only a guess that there was a condensate drain there, but luckily it looks like you’ve found it!

My guess was based on previous experience with a blocked condensate drain on a Vauxhall Corsa and a Mini Cooper. The Mini Cooper drain was kinked during manufacture, luckily it was discovered while under manufacturers warranty - while in for repair two tyres were punctured, we were told the overall repair cost was approaching £3k, luckily all paid for by Mini with absolutely no quibbling.

 
Liam,

My 991 Targa 4S had this issue some 4 weeks into ownership, (back in 2015). Fortunately I was covered under warranty. Porsche don't fit a 50p clip to make sure the pipe from the A/C unit does not come disconnected.

It then floods the carpets and foot well and can then ingress into the back (in my case with the rear seats). OPC took two weeks before I got the car back to allow carpets to dry out naturally. So they did not smell......Porsche would not replace the seat runners that showed water damage.

So this is a well known issue......really annoying I know. Make sure you fit the clip to ensure the pipe does not become disconnected again.

 

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