John, I just acquired a 986 couple weeks ago, and I'm so glad to have come across your videos. Very crisp, clear and concise videos! Great resource for us car enthusiasts!
Thanks again, John. My new water pump should be at the auto parts store this morning and will be installing. Great video, very informative and easy to follow.
Yep, they are sure fun little cars. Glad you are enjoying your 3.2S too. 🙂 We've had our 99 since 2001 so it will be 20 years this July. Not a single regret or major issue, just normal maintenance and the usual wear & tear items. I did however replace the IMS bearing when I did the clutch with the L&N dual row ceramic one for peace of mind 7 years ago. The original bearing that came out was still in really good shape.
@@Rchelicopterfun wow that a long ownership congrats, My 911 996 has 200k km's and just did the IMS in it was fine but worth doing, our Boxter s has only 80,000km's so not gonna do IMS yet have noticed some of the Suspension creak and knocks (rubber perrished) so doing those bits atm really love driving both of them
@hav - 200K km's on your 996... That's awesome! Just goes to show, these engines will last a long time if properly cared for and driven correctly. It's unfortunate the IMS issue is totally overblown. I had an early (73) 911 for about 10 years before we got the 986 and it had collapsing mechanical chain tensioner issues before the pressure fed Carrera tensioners were installed ($$$$); way higher failure rate than IMS - & just as catastrophic.
IMS issue on the double row bearing engines is overblown in my opinion. Drive it and have fun. Of course if you are ever in there getting the clutch done (if it's a manual), that's an ideal time to address the bearing. I decided to replace ours when I replaced the clutch several years ago along with the rear main seal. The original dual row bearing that came out was still in very good shape @ Apx 90K Km.
Nice video - very thorough and easy to understand! I just acquired a 1999 Boxster that originally belonged to my father-in-law (deceased). Unfortunately, I don't really have any service records other than what CarFax shows.The engine sounds healthy, but it did a lot of sitting over the years as it wasn't driven much (27,400 miles). The block was also re-done approximately 10 years ago as the engine's serial number incorporates the AT alpha characters. Overall, the car is in very good shape with absolutely no rust (Arizona) and no accidents, but I'm looking to do all of the maintenance items since I need to start at ground zero so-to-speak. Question: the air-bag dash light is on. My diagnostic tool didn't pick it up since it doesn't have that ability. Any idea what might be turning the warning light on? Thanks!
Without a fault code, that is impossible to even guess at. The best diagnostic tool you get for one of these cars is the Durametric scan tool. It's specifically for Porsche, and will access all the important stuff for a fraction the cost of the factory PST2 scan tool. Best $300 tool I have purchased for this vehicle.
@@Rchelicopterfun Thanks for the reply John! I’ll look into that scan tool. A little more research on the air bag light indicated that it might be the seat belt. There were multiple occurrences of this happening. One person reported it happened to him multiple times even after the dealer apparently fixed it.
Hey John, I have a quick question about your headlights. How did you get the orange pieces out or is that an aftermarket headlights. Please let me know. Thank you.
Please help. I unfortunately went through a automatic car wash and how my convertible top won't open it's pushed in on the left side. What can I do? Any help would be appreciated
@Rchelicopterfun What is the black hook attached to the hook strap? Time stamp 3:50-also the hook on the front will it damage or scratch the mechanism? Do you have a part list or a “how to” to set this up? This video was really helpful thanks for making this.
I just made that back hook out of a piece of flat bar I had lying around and covered it with heat shrink tube so it won't mark or scratch anything. Front hook is just the standard hook that comes with those inexpensive cam-buckle tie downs; like these ( amzn.to/3xSt7PF ). Those hooks are already coated so they won't scratch. Nothing else to it.
@@Rchelicopterfun thanks John. I just got a boxster and I’m intermediate in terms of skill but beginner in terms of confidence lmao. And 0 in terms of tools. Thanks for the quality content
Hi John. We're did you find the replacement rag top with glass rear window? I've repaired my vinyl window 3x and never knew there was an actual glass option. Great vids!
It's made by Sierra Auto Tops. I got it off Amazon, but Auto Tops Direct also carry Sierra Tops and likely others as well. Sierra is a well known & respected aftermarket convertible top manufacturer. If you want the same kind of high quality material as the factory top, make sure you pick the German A5 canvas. The glass window option with defrost is about $150 more than the plastic, but soooo worth it (if you don't mind the smaller window size and a little harder to access the engine bay). I actually think the smaller glass window looks better when the top is up - it makes the car look shorter and wider from the back. As I mentioned in the video, even through the window is smaller, you can at least see out of it - nothing like the horrible, foggy plastic window it replaced.
There are two. One located on the top of the left cylinder head towards the front, and one on the right cylinder head towards the rear. Use your Google FU.
Excellent video! Is replacing the convertible top a difficult and time consuming job? I was thinking about replacing mine and a shop quoted me $1600 for labor only :(
@Chen Zhao - it really depends on your skill set. I didn't find it nearly as hard as others say, but I have a mechanical background. I used Wayne Dempsey's 101 Projects for your Boxster book for instruction (a must get book for all DIY Boxster owners IMO) and he shows every step of the process along with the the difficulty level at 5 out of 5; meaning hardest. I found replacing the clutch and IMS bearing much harder. With the top you don't have to jack up the car or lift/move heavy components. It does take time however and it's a job that can't be rushed. I took two full days. 1st day was removing and cleaning (lots of pictures taken as well for reference). Second day installing the new top. Took a couple weeks of warm sunny weather afterward to allow the new fabric to relax and stretch so I didn't have to pull down on the top in order to latch it.
@@Rchelicopterfun thank you! I suspected it's going to take about 2 days (what the shop quoted me). Seems rather difficult for me to tackle LOL... It currently just have 2 small holes and I don't want to tape over them (looks ugly). But on the other hand, I really only drive the car with the top down 95% of the time so it's not a must do... I will check out that book!
What year is your 986 because there is absolutely no way to fold an aftermarket glass convertible top all the way back to the roll bar on an early 986 that originally came with the folding plastic window top. This is confirmed not just with this particular 986 glass conversion, but all others. Even says it right in the instructions and countless 986 forum threads. The only way to get a glass top to fold all the way back to the roll bar in service mode on an early 986 that originally came with the plastic window top, is to replace the convertible frame as well with the later glass top frame. Maybe yours had the frame replaced???
I'll consider it when I clean the engine off again (usually before winter storage or first thing in the spring before the spring service). Pretty simple however... When it's all open like this, that is the time to wash it. Nothing special or difficult. 1. Make sure engine is cool, wet it down thoroughly with the hose (no pressure washer) from the top and from the inside access panel. 2. Lightly mist it with your favorite engine cleaning soap (I use a 50/50 mix of Simple Green), let that sit for 5-15 minutes to break up the dirt and grime, and then thoroughly rinse it all off. If your engine/bay are really dirty, you may have to repeat or use a stiff detailing brush to work the soap into the grime & loosen it up. I usually loosely fit the inside cover during the soaping & rinsing so no soap/water can spray into the car. 3. Finish off by taking the inside cover back off to do a final rinse to the front of the engine. 4. If you have an air compressor, never hurts to blow the engine & bay down and to get any standing puddles of water off the top of the engine (there are a few deep crevasses on the top of the block that will hold a fair amount of water). Run engine up to operating temp to dry any remaining water. Done 🙂
Not my problem you're too ignorant to use the time chapters to conveniently skip past what you don't find relevant in the overall procedure. I'll explain what I want and take as long as I want doing so. Entitled trolls can piss-off.
John, I just acquired a 986 couple weeks ago, and I'm so glad to have come across your videos. Very crisp, clear and concise videos! Great resource for us car enthusiasts!
Glad you like them - happy "Boxstering" 🙂👍
@@Rchelicopterfun Looking forward for more awesome content from you!!
Thanks again, John. My new water pump should be at the auto parts store this morning and will be installing. Great video, very informative and easy to follow.
Glad it helped
That's one great video, enough detail but concise and well paced. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks, I’m researching maintenance before I buy a Boxster and your channel is very informative. Subscribed!
Thanks. They are fun little cars to work on 🙂👍
Oh yes! I bought a 2013 BS and love it!
My appreciation for your very well detailed DIY video. May God bless you. Thank you.
..Really great info
I would be disaster zone without this help !!
Much obliged 👌
Always love your DIY videos. Thank you for taking the time to make and share 👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks & glad you like them. Several more of these 986 service DIY's on the way over the next couple weeks 🙂
Great video with the glass window!!
I thought working on my mid engined Fiat X1/9 was hard! Thanks for the heads-up. I got to replace the air filter in my 2000.
Working on Boxster's is easy; there is great access to pretty much every side of the engine.
Good to know because i'm contemplating buying one of these
I hope you like working on cars and have a lot of money.
@@frankoch600 even for one that already has the ims bearing done?
Awesome video, thank you very much
Glad you liked it 🙂
Thanks for the video
Awesome Dude I have same car though 2002 we love it its the 3.2 Boxter S same colour too but not the twist rims thanks for the share
Yep, they are sure fun little cars. Glad you are enjoying your 3.2S too. 🙂 We've had our 99 since 2001 so it will be 20 years this July. Not a single regret or major issue, just normal maintenance and the usual wear & tear items. I did however replace the IMS bearing when I did the clutch with the L&N dual row ceramic one for peace of mind 7 years ago. The original bearing that came out was still in really good shape.
@@Rchelicopterfun wow that a long ownership congrats, My 911 996 has 200k km's and just did the IMS in it was fine but worth doing, our Boxter s has only 80,000km's so not gonna do IMS yet have noticed some of the Suspension creak and knocks (rubber perrished) so doing those bits atm really love driving both of them
@hav - 200K km's on your 996... That's awesome! Just goes to show, these engines will last a long time if properly cared for and driven correctly. It's unfortunate the IMS issue is totally overblown. I had an early (73) 911 for about 10 years before we got the 986 and it had collapsing mechanical chain tensioner issues before the pressure fed Carrera tensioners were installed ($$$$); way higher failure rate than IMS - & just as catastrophic.
Man your engine bay looks really clean. I have 986 blast to drive! Still original IMS double row bearing cross finger. Lol
IMS issue on the double row bearing engines is overblown in my opinion. Drive it and have fun. Of course if you are ever in there getting the clutch done (if it's a manual), that's an ideal time to address the bearing. I decided to replace ours when I replaced the clutch several years ago along with the rear main seal. The original dual row bearing that came out was still in very good shape @ Apx 90K Km.
Excelente trabajo ,Gracias por ayudar DIOS cuide de TI
Big Thumbs Up!
Big thanks back for watching 🙂👍
Nice video - very thorough and easy to understand! I just acquired a 1999 Boxster that originally belonged to my father-in-law (deceased). Unfortunately, I don't really have any service records other than what CarFax shows.The engine sounds healthy, but it did a lot of sitting over the years as it wasn't driven much (27,400 miles). The block was also re-done approximately 10 years ago as the engine's serial number incorporates the AT alpha characters. Overall, the car is in very good shape with absolutely no rust (Arizona) and no accidents, but I'm looking to do all of the maintenance items since I need to start at ground zero so-to-speak. Question: the air-bag dash light is on. My diagnostic tool didn't pick it up since it doesn't have that ability. Any idea what might be turning the warning light on? Thanks!
Without a fault code, that is impossible to even guess at. The best diagnostic tool you get for one of these cars is the Durametric scan tool. It's specifically for Porsche, and will access all the important stuff for a fraction the cost of the factory PST2 scan tool. Best $300 tool I have purchased for this vehicle.
@@Rchelicopterfun Thanks for the reply John! I’ll look into that scan tool. A little more research on the air bag light indicated that it might be the seat belt. There were multiple occurrences of this happening. One person reported it happened to him multiple times even after the dealer apparently fixed it.
Hey John, I have a quick question about your headlights. How did you get the orange pieces out or is that an aftermarket headlights. Please let me know. Thank you.
The stock HID/Litronic head lamps (which these are) came without orange turn lenses (at least up here in Canada).
Please help. I unfortunately went through a automatic car wash and how my convertible top won't open it's pushed in on the left side. What can I do? Any help would be appreciated
Impossible to diagnose remotely, take it to a shop if you don't know how to diagnose & fix it yourself.
@Rchelicopterfun What is the black hook attached to the hook strap? Time stamp 3:50-also the hook on the front will it damage or scratch the mechanism?
Do you have a part list or a “how to” to set this up?
This video was really helpful thanks for making this.
I just made that back hook out of a piece of flat bar I had lying around and covered it with heat shrink tube so it won't mark or scratch anything. Front hook is just the standard hook that comes with those inexpensive cam-buckle tie downs; like these ( amzn.to/3xSt7PF ). Those hooks are already coated so they won't scratch. Nothing else to it.
@@Rchelicopterfun thanks John. I just got a boxster and I’m intermediate in terms of skill but beginner in terms of confidence lmao. And 0 in terms of tools. Thanks for the quality content
Thanks
Hi John. We're did you find the replacement rag top with glass rear window? I've repaired my vinyl window 3x and never knew there was an actual glass option. Great vids!
It's made by Sierra Auto Tops. I got it off Amazon, but Auto Tops Direct also carry Sierra Tops and likely others as well. Sierra is a well known & respected aftermarket convertible top manufacturer. If you want the same kind of high quality material as the factory top, make sure you pick the German A5 canvas. The glass window option with defrost is about $150 more than the plastic, but soooo worth it (if you don't mind the smaller window size and a little harder to access the engine bay). I actually think the smaller glass window looks better when the top is up - it makes the car look shorter and wider from the back. As I mentioned in the video, even through the window is smaller, you can at least see out of it - nothing like the horrible, foggy plastic window it replaced.
@@Rchelicopterfun Thank you Sir! Enjoy your vids 😁👌
Would you know where is the camshaft sensor? Thank you
There are two. One located on the top of the left cylinder head towards the front, and one on the right cylinder head towards the rear. Use your Google FU.
Excellent video! Is replacing the convertible top a difficult and time consuming job? I was thinking about replacing mine and a shop quoted me $1600 for labor only :(
@Chen Zhao - it really depends on your skill set. I didn't find it nearly as hard as others say, but I have a mechanical background. I used Wayne Dempsey's 101 Projects for your Boxster book for instruction (a must get book for all DIY Boxster owners IMO) and he shows every step of the process along with the the difficulty level at 5 out of 5; meaning hardest. I found replacing the clutch and IMS bearing much harder. With the top you don't have to jack up the car or lift/move heavy components. It does take time however and it's a job that can't be rushed. I took two full days. 1st day was removing and cleaning (lots of pictures taken as well for reference). Second day installing the new top. Took a couple weeks of warm sunny weather afterward to allow the new fabric to relax and stretch so I didn't have to pull down on the top in order to latch it.
@@Rchelicopterfun thank you! I suspected it's going to take about 2 days (what the shop quoted me). Seems rather difficult for me to tackle LOL... It currently just have 2 small holes and I don't want to tape over them (looks ugly). But on the other hand, I really only drive the car with the top down 95% of the time so it's not a must do...
I will check out that book!
Actually you can fold it just have to move the roof back a little bit and it does the trick at least mine do it
What year is your 986 because there is absolutely no way to fold an aftermarket glass convertible top all the way back to the roll bar on an early 986 that originally came with the folding plastic window top. This is confirmed not just with this particular 986 glass conversion, but all others. Even says it right in the instructions and countless 986 forum threads. The only way to get a glass top to fold all the way back to the roll bar in service mode on an early 986 that originally came with the plastic window top, is to replace the convertible frame as well with the later glass top frame. Maybe yours had the frame replaced???
Can you make a video on how to clean the engine bay my is filthy
I'll consider it when I clean the engine off again (usually before winter storage or first thing in the spring before the spring service). Pretty simple however... When it's all open like this, that is the time to wash it. Nothing special or difficult.
1. Make sure engine is cool, wet it down thoroughly with the hose (no pressure washer) from the top and from the inside access panel.
2. Lightly mist it with your favorite engine cleaning soap (I use a 50/50 mix of Simple Green), let that sit for 5-15 minutes to break up the dirt and grime, and then thoroughly rinse it all off. If your engine/bay are really dirty, you may have to repeat or use a stiff detailing brush to work the soap into the grime & loosen it up. I usually loosely fit the inside cover during the soaping & rinsing so no soap/water can spray into the car.
3. Finish off by taking the inside cover back off to do a final rinse to the front of the engine.
4. If you have an air compressor, never hurts to blow the engine & bay down and to get any standing puddles of water off the top of the engine (there are a few deep crevasses on the top of the block that will hold a fair amount of water). Run engine up to operating temp to dry any remaining water. Done 🙂
Vinyl window explanations was toooooooo long
Not my problem you're too ignorant to use the time chapters to conveniently skip past what you don't find relevant in the overall procedure. I'll explain what I want and take as long as I want doing so. Entitled trolls can piss-off.