[mikesz]

Congrats on the new to you Boxster. I have a 99 same colors and the HT and speedster humps. I tried to remove the tubes with mixed results. I bought the transom plug from a boat supplier it worked for all but one. I tried to use a screw driver to get stubborn one out and broke a piece off and fell into the engine. Since my valve covers were leaking anyway had it towed to mechanic and had him replace valve cover gasket and get piece of plastic out while doing so. My experience is 1) dealer replacement tubes are much better quality than the no-name brands 2) it is recommended that the engine be warm and therefore tubes are warm prior to removing and I would agree (I did not heed this advice) 3) transom plug would have worked better had engine been warmed up and had a slotted socket to tighten the transom plug also it worked much better once I wrapped a piece of sand paper around it to get a bite on the inner part of the tube. I think the method I would use is the bolt and washer seems to me to have a better chance of not damaging the tube. But hindsight is always 20/20. Keep us posted!