Tamper-proof bit to remove the MAF sensor - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

N227RV · 03-25-2025, 01:21 AM

I have a 2004 Special Edition and want to check/clean the MAF sensor. On my old year 2000 Boxster I needed a T20 tamper proof Torx bit. On the 2004 SE, it appears that I need some sort of pentalob tamper proof bit. My usual strategy is to buy and try bits randomly until I get one that works, but I thought I would throw this question to the list to see if I can get the right part ...

997_986 · 03-25-2025, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N227RV

I have a 2004 Special Edition and want to check/clean the MAF sensor. On my old year 2000 Boxster I needed a T20 tamper proof Torx bit. On the 2004 SE, it appears that I need some sort of pentalob tamper proof bit. My usual strategy is to buy and try bits randomly until I get one that works, but I thought I would throw this question to the list to see if I can get the right part ...

Maybe that? I wonder why new stuff is always being invented, although there are enough type of screws for every task...

https://www.amazon.ca/Star-Torx-Security-Multifunction-Resistant/dp/B01IUCONNY?th=1

husker boxster · 03-25-2025, 04:23 AM

I don't remember if it was with one of my cars or a Wheeler Dealer car, but when I ran into the tamper proof torx bit on the MAF and I didn't have a set of them yet, I took a Dremel and cut a slot into the offending bolt and used a screwdriver to take it out.

Tamper proof my a$$.

professorman · 03-25-2025, 10:01 AM

I just replaced my MAF sensor yesterday.
The WARRIOR Security Bit Set with Case, 100 Piece from Harbor Freight has it.

https://www.harborfreight.com/security-bit-set-with-case-100-piece-68457.html

It seems like 33 piece set as it too:
https://www.harborfreight.com/security-bit-set-33-piece-68459.html

Rob175 · 03-25-2025, 04:01 PM

Question.... Why the need for Porsche to use a "tamper-proof" torx fastener in the first place?
Is it just to make it a bit more difficult for the average owner to replace it themselves?

(btw....my 1998 doesn't have the "tamper proof" type, just a standard torx)

997_986 · 03-25-2025, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob175

Question.... Why the need for Porsche to use a "tamper-proof" torx fastener in the first place?
Is it just to make it a bit more difficult for the average owner to replace it themselves?

(btw....my 1998 doesn't have the "tamper proof" type, just a standard torx)

I have the same question in my mind, it is ridiculous. My 997 has a the tamper proof version as well, not a problem because I had a set handy, but wonder for what tis is all for.
Hope the OP got it solved....

N227RV · 03-26-2025, 01:22 AM

No, I'm the OP and don't have the bit identified yet. I suppose the Harbor Freight set isn't all the expensive, so I'll probably buy the 100-bit set and see which one, if any, works. The car is 21 years old. When I got this car two years ago, the air filter was the dirtiest I had ever seen on a car. It looked like an air filter from an old lawn mower! It was the newer-style oval log, which seems to have a LOT of air filtering capacity and the intake tube, as far as I could see it, looked clean. Still, I thought this Spring it might be a good idea to take a look at the MAF sensor.

997_986 · 03-26-2025, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N227RV

No, I'm the OP and don't have the bit identified yet.
[...]

Then take the approach of posting #3 and replace the screw or use it again. Don't buy 100 tools without knowing if you ever use them or even not knowing if one fits your need.

professorman · 03-26-2025, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N227RV

No, I'm the OP and don't have the bit identified yet. I suppose the Harbor Freight set isn't all the expensive, so I'll probably buy the 100-bit set and see which one, if any, works. The car is 21 years old.

That kit is nice to have, it has lots of security bits that I haven’t seen before. It is the security T20, with the hole in the middle. It’s the only one that I have seen on this car though.

It also has the triple square M8 that you need for the door lock. That is a a common failure point on Boxsters of this generation. I guess I rounded that triple square in the past because it was missing from this set. I bought a nice triple square socket set from Amazon. I had to take off my door lock 4 times in the past month as I troubleshoot and failed to repair my door lock several times. It’s finally fixed now tho.

If you wrench on your own car, it’s nice to have the right tools when you need them.

I have cleaned my MAF twice in the past 2 years, but I finally accepted that mine is bad and replaced it last week.

Rob175 · 03-26-2025, 07:11 AM

Suggestion....Once removed, WHY NOT replace it with a standard torx fastener NOT a security type....for the future?
(check out a hardware store...many sell individual bits)

JFP in PA · 03-26-2025, 07:18 AM

Security torx fasteners are becoming more common everyday, any decent tool set should have a set of the bits, which also work perfectly on non security torx fasteners..................

Beelzy · 03-27-2025, 06:08 PM

Harbor Freight has a mini set of bits that include that size security bit at the front counter usually, for 7.99.

N227RV · 05-22-2025, 01:39 AM

Bringing this up again. The tamper-proof screws holding my MAF sensor in place have a five-lobe head with a substantial peg in the middle. They are not tamper-proof T20 screws. I'm not seeing this bit in the sets I can find at Home Depot or Harbor Freight but perhaps that is because I don't know what the bit is called. Anyone have an idea what I should be asking for. I have attached a photo. After 21 years and 45,000 miles it is probably not a bad idea to pull it out and give a spray of MAF cleaning fluid.

piper6909 · 05-22-2025, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N227RV

Bringing this up again. The tamper-proof screws holding my MAF sensor in place have a five-lobe head with a substantial peg in the middle. They are not tamper-proof T20 screws. I'm not seeing this bit in the sets I can find at Home Depot or Harbor Freight but perhaps that is because I don't know what the bit is called. Anyone have an idea what I should be asking for. I have attached a photo. After 21 years and 45,000 miles it is probably not a bad idea to pull it out and give a spray of MAF cleaning fluid.

Torx Plus 5-point Security Bit Set

https://www.amazon.com/KAIFNT-5-Point-Tamper-Proof-Security-7-Piece/dp/B07TC79LVH/ref=asc_df_B07TC79LVH?mcid=94e7f7fb81a8300b83d4dfa df7bf8774&hvocijid=6299232265650001244-B07TC79LVH-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6299232265650001244&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9005888&hvtargid=pla-2281435178138&psc=1

Here's a different set:

https://www.amazon.com/Mesee-Security-Screwdriver-5-Pointed-Electric/dp/B08SQFX3WW/ref=asc_df_B08SQFX3WW?mcid=e8336a7973ce396181eb66e 014328b1c&hvocijid=16299756154924206844-B08SQFX3WW-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16299756154924206844&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9005888&hvtargid=pla-2281435178538&psc=1

Starter986 · 05-22-2025, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N227RV

Bringing this up again. The tamper-proof screws holding my MAF sensor in place have a five-lobe head with a substantial peg in the middle. They are not tamper-proof T20 screws. I'm not seeing this bit in the sets I can find at Home Depot or Harbor Freight but perhaps that is because I don't know what the bit is called. Anyone have an idea what I should be asking for. I have attached a photo. After 21 years and 45,000 miles it is probably not a bad idea to pull it out and give a spray of MAF cleaning fluid.

Dude. Please.

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professorman · 05-22-2025, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N227RV

Bringing this up again. The tamper-proof screws holding my MAF sensor in place have a five-lobe head with a substantial peg in the middle. They are not tamper-proof T20 screws. I'm not seeing this bit in the sets I can find at Home Depot or Harbor Freight but perhaps that is because I don't know what the bit is called. Anyone have an idea what I should be asking for. I have attached a photo. After 21 years and 45,000 miles it is probably not a bad idea to pull it out and give a spray of MAF cleaning fluid.

You are overthinking it. Buy the $6 set from Harbor freight, or the $10 set. It works. I have both sets and it is what i use.
I pulled out mine 3 times in the past 1.5 year. I sprayed it twice and replaced it the other day. I posted the links above.

piper6909 · 05-22-2025, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professorman

You are overthinking it. Buy the $6 set from Harbor freight, or the $10 set. It works. I have both sets and it is what i use.
I pulled out mine 3 times in the past 1.5 year. I sprayed it twice and replaced it the other day. I posted the links above.

I saw the pictures of the Harbor Freight sets. They don't have 5-Point Torx bits. How did you get yours to work?

He can get a 5-point bit set from Amazon for the same price as Harbor Freight's set.

piper6909 · 05-22-2025, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professorman

You are overthinking it. Buy the $6 set from Harbor freight, or the $10 set. It works. I have both sets and it is what i use.
I pulled out mine 3 times in the past 1.5 year. I sprayed it twice and replaced it the other day. I posted the links above.

I saw the pictures of the Harbor Freight sets. They don't have 5-Point Torx bits. How did you get yours to work?

He can get a 5-point bit set from Amazon for the same price as Harbor Freight's set.