Cover the engine hood vents with a rubber mat, but water still gets to the engine and causes bad squeaky belt and makes the car hard to steer for awhile until water burned off. Incoming water either from rain or washes or both gave the turbo an endless squeaky belt which was replaced as well as a drowned/damaged mass air sensor. Looks like hose water could get to the belt when washing rear wheels. Any other suggestions how wash water invariably gets to engine compartment even with top-vents covered.

 

All 997.1 tt cars do that, strangely my 97.2tts didn't. I believe they changed the seal design.

 

That's why I never use a hose or any high pressure water.

 

Sorry I am trying to understand the problem here as I love to wash my car by hand. Do I need to cover the engine vents above the engine or are you guys talking about the side intake vents behind the doors or something else? I just use hose pressure and don't apply direct pressure to the engine inlets or exits. You answers are greatly appreciated.

 

I've noticed the same problem. Can't believe the design is such that so much water can enter the engine bay from a simple car wash. Need to figure out a way to prevent this before the next wash

 

yeap PITA. I usually put some plastic inside the engine bay and remove it once finished w/ water followed by a blower.

 

I cover the engine vents on the engine hood with a well fitted rubber mat. Trying to figure out how the water still gets to the engine fan belt etc,when vehicle is washed. I notice thru rear wheel openings that the engine bottom is still visible, but I really do not blast the water in there to reach the drive belt. The water is coming in maybe like surgeon says thru some crummy design in the rubber insulation, but all that around the hood vent is covered with the mat. it has to be somewhere else.

 

I've got an '08 and have not had the problem after washing. I have had the problem during a hard rain. I went to make a left turn and the power steering "went out" because of slippage causing me to make a wide turn and almost hit a parked car. Now I know.......

 

With my 996 GT2 I used to put a big fluffy bath towel over the motor...and gently close the hood. I would then was as usual being careful not to get to agressive w the water in that area. Never had a problem. I dont know if this would apply to 997 as I havnt even washed it yet.

 

I have not had that problem. I always blow all water out of the engine bay after washing with my high powered vacuum/dryer.. Never had a squeak or a problem and I've been driving the car for 3 years..

Phillipj

 

i think the question is how to best prevent water from getting in the engine bay during a wash.

 

I think it's a little paranoid to be worried about this issue,, I never try to get water in there. But it's going to happen.. The heat generated by the engine will evaporate that water in a very short time..Just get the car up to temp gently slowly after a wash and you wont have any problems..I never have..

 

And you call pulling residual wash water out of the engine compartment with a high power vac not being paranoid
Looks like no one knows when washing 997.1, how water gets all over the engine with hood-vent covered. Porsche may release the info if corrected on 2008 turbos.

 

Have never had the problem, neither hand wash or brushless car wash. So I don't cover.

I expected it when I drove for a half hour in a torrential downpour, but did not happen.

 

No wet engine problems with my 08. I do have the emergency brake slightly seize up after wash and then 'break' loose on the next start. Gotten use to it. First time it happened it freaked me out. Maybe a leaf blower would handle this.