Glass window and service mode? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

NewArt · 12-05-2015, 06:31 AM

I'm tempted by the glass windowed top. I do all my own maintenance and mechanics. So, a question to those of you who have done the top replacement: how does this affect the service mode access to the top of the motor? Does anyone have a picture of this?

Mark_T · 12-05-2015, 06:35 AM

Well this topic has certainly never been covered before.

NewArt · 12-05-2015, 07:31 AM

Well gee Mark, thanks for that. I just pushed that button and up popped a picture of a Boxster with an aftermarket glass windowed top placed in service mode showing the sort of engine access one might expect. Not.
I'll remember this in the future.

tommy583 · 12-05-2015, 07:57 AM

I have an aftermarket glass window top. The access is a little less than with the plastic window top. With that being said the improvement with the glass top far out ways the limited engine access. With the glass window I was easily able to remove the throttle body, change air filter and clean the MAF. There really isn't that much stuff that need to be done from the top of the engine in my experience. The glass window top is so worth it. It makes the car look brand new and no more Boxster chop.

NewArt · 12-05-2015, 03:02 PM

Hey, thanks for the observations Tommy. Next time you're in there, try to snap a pic. I've not yet found one (even using the magic button

)

Timco · 12-05-2015, 03:28 PM

I put the top about 3 inches from the windshield. Then I use a bungee to pull the glass area up higher. The two snaps pop off of course.

Then the clamshell sits in a service position by popping the clips off and putting a screwdriver in the holes when they line up. Keeps it up high.

Use a paint stir stick under that bungee so it doesn't grab the seal under the back window.

That's the best I've been able to do.

Boxtaboy · 12-05-2015, 03:33 PM

I found this link in the search function by typing in (glass top service position)... It has pics of the top in service position on a Boxster with an aftermarket glass top.

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/34311-engine-access-gahh-top.html

NewArt · 12-05-2015, 04:19 PM

And thank you for that! I hadn't seen these photos and I must say that it does seem to cause a significant restriction.

NewArt · 12-05-2015, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timco

I put the top about 3 inches from the windshield. Then I use a bungee to pull the glass area up higher. The two snaps pop off of course.

Then the clamshell sits in a service position by popping the clips off and putting a screwdriver in the holes when they line up. Keeps it up high.

Use a paint stir stick under that bungee so it doesn't grab the seal under the back window.

That's the best I've been able to do.

So, does your window move up, out of the way, as opposed to the images in the link posted by Boxtaboy?

tommy583 · 12-05-2015, 05:45 PM

I use a bungee cord from the front of the top to the back. I think I get at least a few more inches than the pic in the other thread shows. I would take a pic for you but my car is all buttoned up for the winter.

Timco · 12-05-2015, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewArt

So, does your window move up, out of the way, as opposed to the images in the link posted by Boxtaboy?

No. The window kind of sits as pictured but with the clam shell in service position using those holes you do get better access. The bungee from windshield to the bottom edge under the window does pull it up farther it looks like.

njbray · 12-05-2015, 10:16 PM

I went and split my window the other day - it was cold and I did the chop but it split on one edge

(when I say cold, around 60! hey I did have to put on a sweater!).
Anywhooo, I am now looking at a glass window top replacement soon.
I have been thinking about access and figure I only go in from the top to check steering fluid and air cleaner. All the other stuff, oil filter/change, spark plugs, drive belt, etc. is got at from below or behind seats! So I can't think of a reason not to go glass window!

dghii · 12-06-2015, 04:25 PM

How many times/year do you have to access the top of your of your engine and for what? I put a glass windowed top on my car last summer. I've accessed the top of my motor twice, during oil changes, when I cleaned my air filter and MAF sensor. Access is more than enough to perform these simple tasks.
Using the bungee does really help.
My thinking is that if I was needing to perform a task that required extended access, I would take a half an hour and remove the entire top/frame.

NewArt · 12-06-2015, 04:52 PM

Good point. In fact, the times when I need access to the top of the motor is when there's a major problem: vac leak, aos, etc. It's not every day. Even at the track, it's not like I was tuning carbs or something!

Porsche-Eh · 01-15-2018, 08:30 AM

Can you access the top of the engine (i.e. Service Mode) with a hardtop installed? The soft top is still installed, just retracted. Anyone done it?

Starter986 · 01-15-2018, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-Eh

Can you access the top of the engine (i.e. Service Mode) with a hardtop installed? The soft top is still installed, just retracted. Anyone done it?

Um... I'm going to guess no.

A8ked · 01-15-2018, 03:33 PM

I've got the hardtop option, it has to be removed and then the soft top has to be put into the service position to access the engine from the top.
We had a dry day here today so I just finished removing the hardtop and opening the top engine access to change the air filter and check power steering fluid.
I had a new soft top with the glass window installed in October as others have said it does limit access a little, but changing the air filter and checking the fluid was not difficult.