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Targa brethren! My rear carpets got the dreaded roof soak, especially on the passenger side. There's no pillar wetness so I'm assuming the culprit is related to the drains at the corners of the hatch. Tried snaking them out but I come to a stop about 2 feet in. I'm assuming this is the "end piece guide rail" (#7 in the illustration). Does anyone know where the outer hose drains to? There are plugged drains above the heat shield and in the rear wheel well (these are drain spots for non-Targas). I've checked a number of threads both here and abroad, but can't find anything specific to the 997 Targa.
I'm hesitant to pour even a little hot water down the tubs to test, as it took me a week to dry my carpets. Next step is ripping the rear apart to ensure both tubs are properly seated.
There are drain lines into the rear wheel wells. I saw them there with a scope camera. It could be that the top of the drain has come loose from the roof part, and it is not going down the tube, but into the back seat area.
You are correct, sir. So, unlike other 997s which seem to contain a tapered nipple (which Targa's share as the rubber drains around the battery), the Targa's rear well rubber outlets are tiny, tubular and inverted. I was finally able to snake some line into the outlet (behind the heat shield which peels back) and run hot water through a funnel into the hatch drains. Water poured through the outlet and onto the ground, but I'll keep an eye on the undercarpets just to make sure there isn't still a loose tube. Thanks!
Last edited by griebs; Feb 14, 2023 at 06:24 PM.
Reason: specified which rubber outlet
Wishful thinking. After pulling the deck carpets I gained access to the drain hoses. What finally worked for me was snaking the line from the outlet on up (inlet route had no effect on hatch hose). Being able to manipulate the hoses was key. Between the recent deluge we've had in sunny Los Angeles and a pitcher of hot water I had on hand to pour down the back of the roof there was a steady supply of liquid to help loosen as I scoped with the weed wacker string.
The amount of gunk turned a junk bath towel completely black. Eventually, after repeating the process several times I was able to blow air freely through the hoses. Unfortunately the foam is completely soaked beneath the cheat seats so that's my next chapter.
Attached is a picture showing the culprits. Reseating them perfectly is a hand-cramping PITA but once you catch the round cutout in the body with the slit in the rubber end, rotating helps to both secure it and ensure it's seated all the way around.
Be sure to do your yearly hot water flushes, fellow Targans!
Last edited by griebs; Feb 27, 2023 at 03:22 PM.
Reason: house to hose
Wishful thinking. After pulling the deck carpets I gained access to the drain hoses. What finally worked for me was snaking the line from the outlet on up (inlet route had no effect on hatch hose). Being able to manipulate the hoses was key. Between the recent deluge we've had in sunny Los Angeles and a pitcher of hot water I had on hand to pour down the back of the roof there was a steady supply of liquid to help loosen as I scoped with the weed wacker string.
Hi griebs, FYI Miata people get a cleaning snake meant to clean brass wind instruments, they work great for cleaning the drains in Miatas (but I don't know anything about targa drains so check first). I think I got this one, works great:
Hi griebs, FYI Miata people get a cleaning snake meant to clean brass wind instruments, they work great for cleaning the drains in Miatas (but I don't know anything about targa drains so check first). I think I got this one, works great:
Looks like it could work. There are some gnarly angles that (including right angles at junctions) that, for me at least, required manipulation of the hose for even the thin (though sturdy) filament I used to scope it. So carpet removal would still be required, unless you're prepared to blast with compressed air-- of which I've heard both success and horror stories.
Perhaps they had their reasons but Porsche should have routed both to a shallow well with a backup drain in case of blockage or failure. As it stands overflow collects around the drains and flows down into two reservoirs behind the seats, which then spills over into the buckets. Essentially, you don't know there's an issue until half a liter or so of water is absorbed by the foam.
Since I've been bouncing back and forth between LN and FSI since last February we've had a few Targa's come through the system. Of the 70 or so cars I have seen and tested at FSI this 997.1 C4S Targa is by far my favorite all around. I put 300 test miles on this one and it is all around the best car I have experienced. Everything about the experience is different with a Targa that has monster power. The hatch back makes the car so much more practical also.
The 997.1 4S Targa is the car I am personally looking for. I'm sure this car is 1/1 as a C4S Targa with an R40!
My ginger T4S enjoying the Swedish countryside and some gravel. Will try plastidipping the chrome stripe soon, have personally really grown to dislike the chrome bar/arch.
Hi All,
well it's with great pleasure that I finally return to this forum. Due to the unfortunate reality of children, I sold my last 911 and this week purchased a new "for me" 911 exactly 10 years to the day. It's been a tough search but I have just transferred the funds and wait until after a quick holiday to hopefully go pick it up I the next 2-3 weeks, but maybe trucking it back maybe easier.
So my old 996 targa I enjoyed here in Europe as it allowed me to make the most of some sunshine on those miserable winter days, so its a no brainer I have now found a 997.1 C4S Targa. Weirdly, the advert made no mention of the bonus. I asked for a copy of the build sheet codes and in the list was the X51 code.. She comes with factory carbon also. I can't wait to get her home. These photos are from the dealers website for now. Full Porsche stamped history with 108,000 kms.
I am sure to have some questions in the coming weeks and I hope to meet some great people here like I remember from 10 years ago.
