Here is a list of 12 common Porsche Boxster Convertible Top Problems. Every Porsche Boxster Owner needs to be aware of these issues and the steps to avoid them.
If you desire the wind in your hair, the sun in your face, and listening to the incredible Porsche engine, you cannot beat the Porsche Boxster for enjoyment.
1.0 About The Porsche Convertible Top
The Porsche convertible top provides the best of both worlds. The soundproofing of the Haartz and Porsche-engineered fabric allows you to enjoy both a top-up and top-down experience.
What Material is the Porsche Boxster Convertible Top Made of?
They make the Porsche Boxster Convertible Tops using premium Haartz German Sonnenland A5 Canvas.
| Boxster Year | Convertible Roof Fabric |
|---|---|
| 1997 – 2011 | HAARTZ Sonnenland A5.0 Singed |
| 2012 -2019 | HAARTZ Sonnenland A5B/DS |
This special fabric from Haartz using a high-performance acoustically enhanced 3-ply topping with acrylic twill weave facing, rubber inner-layer and Polyester backing.
Is the Porsche Convertible Top Water Proof?
No, the Porsche Convertible top is not waterproof, it is only water-resistant, and because of this, your canvas convertible top is susceptible to both moisture and mildew.
Do not open your convertible top when the canvas roof is wet
Porsche Convertible Top Water Repellent
You need to learn the correct methods for Porsche Convertible Top Cleaning & Conditioning.
Waterproofing Treatments Spray for Convertible Tops
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NOTE: RAGGTOPP Cleaner, RAGGTOPP Premium Convertible Top Brush, and RAGGTOPP Protectant are the only products endorsed by Haartz.
Haartz the world’s leading manufacturer of convertible tops for virtually every American and European Convertible Automobile manufactured throughout the world (including the Porsche Boxster.)
2.0 Regular Cleaning of Porsche Convertible Top
We recommend to hand wash your convertible top in the shade or partial shade only. It is best to avoid direct sunlight. Never use a detergent on your convertible top.
Immediately Spot Clean Your Convertible Top
Bird and tree droppings, as well as other loose particle soils, must be removed immediately upon discovery. These issues will stain and damage your convertible roof.
Therefore, we recommend that you carry a “spot cleaning” bag in your trunk with RaggTopp (or similar) cleaning fluid, a brush, microfiber towel(s), and a rinsing agent (water).
Washing your Convertible Top
Clean your top using a vacuum with a brush attachment and a lint fabric brush to remove all loose particles soil and dust. This will also prevent the dust or soil from being redeposited on the fabric during the cleaning process.
Completely rinse the convertible top with water. Once the fabric has been rinsed thoroughly, spray RAGGTOPP Cleaner evenly over the entire surface while still wet.
Do not do this in direct sunlight as your fabric will dry too quickly.
Allow the cleaner to soak for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub lightly with the RAGGTOPP Premium Convertible Top Brush, a horse hair brush, or a terry cloth rag.
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You will need to rinse thoroughly until no remaining soap or foam is observed. Additional cleanings may be required. It is best to determine the need for additional cleanings after the fabric has dried completely.
Once dry, you are now ready to treat your convertible top fabric with a water-repellant treatment, such as RaggTopp, Chemical Guys or 303 Protectant.
3.0 Porsche Convertible Top Repair
The wear of your canvas convertible top is primarily because of the collection of dust/dirt into the fabric. Dust collecting your canvas fabric will act like sandpaper on your roof. Therefore, you need to adopt a good maintenance routine that includes using one of the best Porsche Boxster car covers when your car is not in use.
You must keep your convertible top canvas clean and treated. Otherwise, dust will collect in that fabric and cause premature aging and wear.
If you have a Porsche Boxster with a vinyl rear window it is critical that you learn to use the “Boxster Chop”.
What is the Boxster Chop?
If you are the owner of a Pre-2002 Porsche Boxster 986 it will have a rear plastic window. You will need to learn the “Boxster Chop” and master its application.
The Boxster Chop is your primary defensive maneuver to increase the lifespan of your Boxster canvas convertible roof.
How to do a Boxster Chop?
- When you open (lower) your top, open the top just enough to start the rear window folding.
- Get out of the car and do a ‘chop’ with your arm/hand and make a nice even crease/fold in the window.
- This will ensure that when you open the top all the way, the rear window does not develop a compound fold or crease.
The “Boxster Chop” is recommended in all weather conditions as a defensive measure.
4.0 Porsche Boxster Convertible Top Problems: Plastic Rear Window Care
If you have a Porsche Boxster with a plastic rear window, you need to take extra care of your rear plastic window.
UV radiation can do serious damage to the polyvinyl window. If a haze or fogging is experienced, it is caused by the plasticizers in the polyvinyl material evaporating due to exposure to UV light and the actual heat from the sun.
You could try using Plexus which has a built-in UV protectant.
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Whenever the car is stored outside, the clear plastic window should be protected with a cover.
If your clear plastic window has minor scratches and yellowing, we can restore it by using a high-quality plastic polishing compound such as “Plastix” by Meguiar. And don’t forget to use the Boxster CHOP every time you close your roof!!
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5.0 Porsche Boxster Convertible Top Problems: Tears or Holes in Canvas
It is critical that you need to get this on quickly to prevent the holes or tears from spreading. Your fastest and best solution would be to use a canvas patch. We recommend that you would use a Gore-Tex canvas patch. You need a 1/2 inch over coverage on the patch and you can cut to size to minimize the size of the patch.
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6.0 Porsche Boxster Convertible Top Problems: Convertible Sides do NOT Tuck into their Channels
A very common issue for Porsche Boxster convertible tops is that the Porsche Boxster convertible top sides do not tuck into their side channels.
This is a recurring issue for drivers who make use of their convertibles. The cloth stretch band loses its tightness (or elasticity) over the use and age of the car.
They connected Porsche Boxster Convertible tops on each side with embedded cables that are built into the convertible top. History shows premature failure in these areas because of the “pull-through” design of the cables in the Boxster Convertible top.
Boxstertips has a dedicated article here:
7.0 Porsche Boxster Convertible Top Replacement
Either due to wear, vandalism (theft), or cracked or torn rear plastic windows, many 986 owners opt to get a new canvas top, complete with a new rear glass window.
The rear plastic window has a very high rate of failure due to age, usage, and environment. We recommend that Porche 986 shoppers give serious consideration to purchasing a Porsche Boxster with a glass rear window for this very reason.
Unfortunately, the forums are filled with people who have had terrible experiences replacing the rear plastic window only. We recommend using a highly qualified/recommended repair shop for the replacement of the rear window, which usually comes with a high cost.
If you’re looking to buy an early Boxster 986 (pre-2003), please consider this upgrade and the costs involved. Most times, the complete replacement of the convertible top will be lower than the repair of the rear plastic window itself especially if you can do the installation yourself.
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Please note that this is Project 70 in the 101 Projects for Your Porsche Boxster.
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8.0 Porsche Boxster Convertible Top Problems: Broken Push Rod Caps
Unfortunately, you will experience a broken Porsche Boxster Convertible Top Push Rod. You will hear a loud snap (or bang) as you are lowering or raising the roof. It will usually mean that you have snapped one of the Plastic End Caps off of the Convertible Top Push Rod. They designed these plastic end caps to break and save your convertible top transmission and gearing. Please review a dedicated article on our site.
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9.0 Porsche Boxster Convertible Top Problems: Broken Convertible Transmission
If you experience a broken Porsche Boxster convertible transmission, please be aware that in most cases the cause of the issue is a snapped vinyl gear in the transmission. You will hear a large popping sound from under the clamshell.
You have 2 of these transmissions, 1 on each side of your Boxster. There is a vigorous debate on replacing these vinyl gears with aluminum (or metal) gears. We recommend using the original OEM vinyl gears.
Please note that this is Project 71 in the 101 Projects for Your Porsche Boxster which walks you thru access to the Convertible Top Transmission.
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10.0 Increasing Lifespan of the Porsche Boxster Convertible Top Gearing and Operation
They strongly recommended that if you own a 986/987.1/987.2 that when Opening and Closing of your Convertible that you:
- Never open or close your convertible top when your car is in motion.
- Only open or close your convertible top on level ground.
- Use care in opening and closing the convertible in cold temperatures.
- Never open or close your roof in high winds
- Closing Convertible Top in a Porsche Boxster with Vinyl rear windows must learn the Boxster-Chop!
These tips will save your convertible motor, your channel pull cables, and especially your push rod caps. Thus following these rules will extend the lifespan of your convertible top. Review broken Porsche Boxster convertible top push rod.
11.0 Lubricating Your Convertible Top
We recommend you lubricate your CabRIO rails yearly using lithium grease and a cotton swab.
We recommend you do yearly maintenance on your Porsche Boxster by lubricating your clam-shell rails. Be careful in applying lithium lubrication on the clam-shell rails and do not over-spray lubricant in your convertible compartment. Lubricant can cause issues with vinyl trim and plastic housing pieces.
12.0 Treating Your Convertible Top Weather Stripping
They strongly recommended that you treat all weather stripping on your Porsche Boxster every year. Use a conditioning compound on all exposed rubber and plastic items on the exterior of your Porsche. This includes the weather stripping on your convertible top.
This will ensure that they do not crumble or crack with the humidity and temperature changes.
Porsche enthusiasts swear by the German-made [amazon link=”B004B8GTQG” title=”Gummi Pflege Stif” /]!
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If your rubber seals, or weather stripping, around windows and doors, go untreated they will deteriorate. Because of changing temperatures and high UV sunlight exposure, the rubber of the weather stripping dries out, cracks or shrinks. When this happens, the integrity of the seal will fail and lead to further problems such as squeaks, whistles, draughts, and leaks. Therefore, if you rarely treat your weather stripping, you lose your original lustre, and the rubber continues to perish.
Unlike many plastic and rubber treatments, Gummi Pflege doesn’t simply buff rubber to look new. Gummi Pflege provides real, deep-down protection, helping to prolong the life of rubber seals, gaskets, and trims, providing protection against cold, heat, and UV radiation from the sun.
[amazon bestseller=”Rubber Seal Protectant” template=widget-small grid=3 items=3]13.0 Faulty Microswitches
If your Porsche Boxster windows lower at odd moments, or refuse to lower at appropriate moments, such as when the cabriolet top release handle is pulled you most likely require a new cabrolet top microswitch.
13.1 Symptoms:
- Windows lowers unexpectedly.
- Windows refuses to lower when you pull the cabriolet top release handle.
13.2 Likely Cause:
- A broken or defective cabriolet top microswitch.
13.3 What’s Happening:
- The soft top mechanism includes a switch that senses when the handle is pulled. Normally, this causes the windows to lower slightly.
- If the switch is faulty, the car might think the handle is always pulled, making the windows behave unpredictably.
- This issue occurs because pressure on the switch can cause one side to become disconnected, resulting in intermittent contact.
13.4 Time to Fix:
- About 30 minutes.
13.5 DIY Repair Steps:
- Prepare Your Tools:
- T25 Torx driver
- Small, thin object (like a flathead screwdriver or a piece of plastic)
- Remove the Alarm Sensor Lenses:
- Locate the lenses that cover the infra-red sensors for the alarm system, situated near the top of the cabriolet mechanism.
- Carefully remove these lenses to access the underlying components.
- Unscrew the Latch Assembly Cover:
- Using your T25 Torx driver, remove the screws holding the latch assembly cover in place.
- Carefully set aside the screws and gently remove the cover to expose the internal mechanisms.
- Unplug the Cables:
- Identify the three cables connected to the latch assembly.
- Gently unplug each cable, ensuring not to damage the connectors.
- Locate the Microswitch:
- Find the plastic switch at the center of the mechanism.
- Look for a small slot or gap where the switch is held in place.
- Secure the Microswitch:
- Insert a thin object (like a flathead screwdriver or a small piece of plastic) into the gap where the switch is attached.
- Apply gentle pressure to ensure the switch is securely in place and making proper contact.
- Reassemble the Components:
- Reconnect the three cables to the latch assembly.
- Carefully replace the latch assembly cover and secure it with the screws using your T25 Torx driver.
- Reattach the alarm sensor lenses over the infrared sensors.
- Test the Windows:
- After reassembling, test the windows by pulling the cabriolet top release handle to ensure they lower as expected.
- Verify that the windows no longer act erratically.
CRITICAL NOTE: If you are ordering a new set of Microswitches, make sure you also order 2x 999 507 534 01 clips!!
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Conclusion
We hope you use these Boxster Tips and that these tips increase the lifespan of your Porsche Boxster convertible and minimize your Porsche Boxster convertible top problems.
How many times have you seen someone driving their convertible in the snow or rain with the top down? This is someone with convertible problems. Please don’t let this ever be you!
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