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Michael SYS Driver
Hello everyone, I used to read this board on a daily basis but I stopped driving my Boxster. It has basically sat for 9 years and I want to start it up again. I was bad and I did not remove the gas or get my car on blocks. So the tires are flat spotted. What do I need to do to get the girl up and running again? Thanks in advanced.
After 9 years the gasoline is almost certainly bad. At the local Porsche dealer I came upon a modern 911 that had sat for 3 years and the fuel had congealed in the lines/injectors. The tech told me he had to replace the fuel system from the injectors on back to the tank. I believe the tank was salvageable -- albeit with a cleaning -- but the fuel pump had to be replaced.
I am reluctant to mention what follows because messing with the fuel system is risky. I would let a professional tech sort this out.
But one approach would be to siphon out as much old fuel as possible. The best way would be to remove the fuel pump and the fuel removed via the opening and the fuel siphoned out then bailed out then sopped up with a rag or some absorbent paper towels. If the fuel is liquid that's (maybe) a good sign. If it something less than liquid then you are probably facing fuel system replacement.
But assuming the fuel is liquid put the fuel pump back and and button up the tank, add 5 gallons of fuel. I'd like to start the fuel pump with the fuel line open as far downstream as possible -- ideally at each injector -- to let the pump pump fresh fuel and flush out the old fuel. If you notice any lines not flowing fuel they are blocked and this blockage needs to be addressed.
The open lines should be routed to clear or translucent plastic bottles to catch what comes out and give you a chance to observe the flow.
But oh the fire risk...
The other way would be to budget for like in the case of the 996 that sat some years replacing the fuel system.
The engine? Drain the oil and replace it with fresh. Replace the oil filter. Fill the canister up with fresh oil though.
Remove the plugs. Squirt some fresh engine oil into each cylinder. Rotate the engine over by hand in the proper direction of rotation a few times.
With the fuel pump fuse removed, or the fuel pump motor disconnected from the car's electrical system, then use the starter to crank the engine some. Don't crank the starter too long or you'll overheat it.
Put the plugs back in. I'd use new plugs.
Put the fuse back in or reconnect the fuel pump to the car's electrical system.
Replace the engine air filter. Be sure the intake air box and tube from that to the TB is free of any signs of rodents.
If you believe you have at this time a functioning fuel delivery system then see if the engine will start/run. 'course, you will have replaced the old battery with a new and fully charged battery.
At some point I'd drain and refill the cooling system with fresh mix of antifreeze/distilled water.
As soon as you can do a brake fluid flush/bleed. If the car equipped with a manual transmission be sure to flush/bleed the clutch hydraulic system too.
Before you drive the car get new tires mounted.
Once you get the car running and it appears to be running right have the A/C system checked. Over time it might have lost refrigerant. You'll want to check for this *before* you run the A/C because if it has this can damage the compressor running it with low refrigerant.