Cold start blues

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usmcrec

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Since the temperature is currently dropping to mid 40's My 04 boxster is not liking it. I start it up and it idles at about 1,200 rpms the after 20-40secs it drops and gets groggy and the famous cel light goes on. It takes it about 15min to achieve 180f when driving it. So either I need to replace the maf since I currently removed the k&n filter or I need to change the oil to a lower viscosity, All suggestions are welcomed. Thanks
 
Another thing that may be contributing, if it's taking that long to warm up when driving, is the thermostat may have gone bad. I had that happen some time ago and never noticed it until the weather got down to the 40's.
 
Tom If it was the thermostat would it still reach operating temperature all the time and maintain it even on the freeway? Just a question
 
Yes, a sticking thermostat can stay shut way too long, and then pop open after the coolant trapped within the engine block exceeds a certain temperature; whether its rated point or higher. Once it opens the radiators' blend the cool coolant very quickly to maintain normal temperature. So a sticking thermostat is a strong suspect in your symptoms - far more so than the viscosity of the oil.
 
Is that a do it your self job? I do my own spark plug and oil changes. The car has 34k miles and still has the original antifreeze and the idle speed has never been adjusted, It looks like It idles at around 700 rpm's but never shakes. About the only thing I've done is oil change air filter change and spark plugs. Type S, since your from around these part do you know of a reputable porsche shop around El Paso Texas? Thanks
 
If you have done it recently I would start by cleaning the throttle body. These egas cars are very sensitive to dirt and carbon on the throttle butterfly and intake.
 
Loren is there a website that describes such procedure? In el paso there is ALOT of sand and sand storms are not uncommon. Thanks
 
usmcrec said:
Since the temperature is currently dropping to mid 40's My 04 boxster is not liking it. I start it up and it idles at about 1,200 rpms the after 20-40secs it drops and gets groggy and the famous cel light goes on. It takes it about 15min to achieve 180f when driving it. So either I need to replace the maf since I currently removed the k&n filter or I need to change the oil to a lower viscosity, All suggestions are welcomed. Thanks
Click to expand...

I had this symptom several months ago. This is what I ended up doing few months after this symptom.

http://www.babblers.org/forums/showthread.php?p=52426#post52426
 
After carefully reading the suggestions you have given me I will opt to the the throttle body cleaning, Pedro thanks for the web page it is very useful, If you could, would you send me some info on the gasket that needs replacement? The AOS will be my next option, I can honestly say that the car DOES NOT smoke any type of color smoke so I'm not too sure it's the AOS. Last year there were ALOT of sand storms and I cleaned my air filter but it was staked with sand so Im thinking some of it ended up on the throttle. I will keep you posted on my findings and Thank you for your support and Intellectual know how. Semper Fi
 
Use the link to Pedro's Garage above. Just realize your car is egas so you will not have a cold start valve and the throttle position switch is larger too (see pic below). Fundamentally the same process though.

There is also a discussion and a few pics on my site.
http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=14548
 

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You might check the Secondary Air Injection. Our temps in OKC have recently hit 30 degrees, my CEL came on last week, and the default codes referred to this issue. I just kept driving everyday, and now that we're back in teh 40 - 75 degree range, the CEL is out and she's runnin' fine!!
 
awesome post, loren. when i grow up, i hope i can be you..... :D

or pedro.
 
Besides cleaning the throttle body I will also do an oil change on it. I went to my local "German car shop" and they quoted me 110 big ones using full synthetic oil. When I turn the car on in the afternoon the temp is about 75f outside and the car starts right up without any issues but when it's cold she's not that nice. I believe when I changed the oil I put 10-40w and I did noticed that the oil level is a bit high over the notch. I will keep you posted and try to send some pics of the Throttle body.
 
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