If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it??

[Oldcarguy]

I identified two marginal items when I bought my 986 last Feb. In my mind, both qualify for preventive maintenance fixes which I’ve decided *not* to address while the car is down for winter. She’s running great, no codes, no symptoms, with no changes in these values since I first took readings last Feb (about ~1,200 miles ago). I’ll put less than 2,000 miles a year on her. She spends a lot of time in the 3,000 - 6,500 rpm range.

What do you guys (guys being a gender neutral term in our house) think about my decision not to preemptively address these items? Money / time / expertise is not an issue, I just do not like to disturb things that are working well.

Camshaft Deviation (Rock steady at all RPMs)

Action plan - monitor this throughout the driving season and address it if it approaches 6.0. I’m somewhat surprised by the difference in the bank 1 and bank 2 readings.



AOS

No symptoms of a bad AOS, but my vacuum readings are marginal. ~7.4 on cold start, settling at ~7.0 at cold idle and ~6.4 at operating temp idle.

Action plan - replace immediately if further vacuum increase or manifestation of symptoms. Hesitant to replace preemptively due to the apparent number of ‘bad’ new OEM AOS units.







Not looking for validation for my course of action, just want to throw it out there to see what the thoughts are

Rgds, Fred







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[JFP in PA]

You cam deviation values are well within spec, so I would not worry about them.

Your AOS is toast; anyone that exceeds 5.0 inches fully warmed up is a candidate for replacement. Just be sure the one you buy is the latest factory unit, we have had absolutely no luck with after market units, which many still try to push off as "OEM". They aren't..........

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

You cam deviation values are well within spec, so I would not worry about them.

Your AOS is toast; anyone that exceeds 5.0 inches fully warmed up is a candidate for replacement. Just be sure the one you buy is the latest factory unit, we have had absolutely no luck with after market units, which many still try to push off as "OEM". They aren't..........

Thanks JFP. OK, AOS this winter to keep from oiling the entire intake tract. I’ll order the ‘Porsche’ original part along with the Mayhew Pro remote cable clamp pliers from Pelican tomorrow. Nearest dealer is 90 miles away and I’m counting on Pelican to have a higher turnover on the org AOS than the dealer anyway.

Didn’t take much to convenience me 😛 Good news regarding the camshaft deviations 👍

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Oldcarguy

Thanks JFP. OK, AOS this winter to keep from oiling the entire intake tract. I’ll order the ‘Porsche’ original part along with the Mayhew Pro remote cable clamp pliers from Pelican tomorrow. Nearest dealer is 90 miles away and I’m counting on Pelican to have a higher turnover on the org AOS than the dealer anyway.

Didn’t take much to convenience me �� Good news regarding the camshaft deviations ��

Watch Pelican, they have been known to sell stuff as "OEM" which isn't. You can always get the real thing online from Sunset Porsche's website.

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Watch Pelican, they have been known to sell stuff as "OEM" which isn't. You can always get the real thing online from Sunset Porsche's website.

Thanks for the heads-up. Sunset it is. I think I already have an account with them.

[Oldcarguy]

Final outcome with new Fieldpiece manometer here:

New Porsche AOS reading 5.3 WC - opinions??

Well, darn. Replaced AOS with genuine Porsche .01 (latest version) AOS from Sunset and vacuum still reads high. Old AOS was not symptomatic so maybe it’s my cheapo manometer. New Fieldpiece manometer should arrive tomorrow. More to come after new meter arrives.

New AOS cold reading:


New AOS warm reading:


New and old AOS units:



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[Troutman]

Originally Posted by Oldcarguy

Thanks JFP. OK, AOS this winter to keep from oiling the entire intake tract. I’ll order the ‘Porsche’ original part along with the Mayhew Pro remote cable clamp pliers from Pelican tomorrow. Nearest dealer is 90 miles away and I’m counting on Pelican to have a higher turnover on the org AOS than the dealer anyway.

Didn’t take much to convenience me 😛 Good news regarding the camshaft deviations 👍

I recently replaced my AOS with one from Porsche and it came with a blue plastic thing on the lower clip which held the clip fully open , then when you had pushed it over the tube you could get your finger in the plastic thing and tug it out releasing the clip and job done. Mine also came with the lower bellows attached and I had ordered one so I now have a spare.

[steved0x]

I have a similar rig, here is one of my readings, agreed you have to get the car warm, I like to take it out for a nice drive with a few pulls once the oil is warmed up and really get it up to temp, otherwise the readings are all over the place (same with cam deviations)

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by steved0x

I have a similar rig, here is one of my readings, agreed you have to get the car warm, I like to take it out for a nice drive with a few pulls once the oil is warmed up and really get it up to temp, otherwise the readings are all over the place (same with cam deviations)

Hi Steve, I almost bought the Reed manometer but I was able to get the Fieldpiece for less so I went with it.

I think you have a point. My current 5.3 reading is with the car not really warmed up (idling in the garage still on the lift, temp gauge somewhat below the 180 hash mark). I’ll make a run in it as soon as the weather clears and measure it when the car is really at true operating temp (like I do for camshaft devs).

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by Troutman

I recently replaced my AOS with one from Porsche and it came with a blue plastic thing on the lower clip which held the clip fully open , then when you had pushed it over the tube you could get your finger in the plastic thing and tug it out releasing the clip and job done. Mine also came with the lower bellows attached and I had ordered one so I now have a spare.

Hi Troutman, thanks for the info. Fortunately the 2003/2004 AOS was redesigned so there is no bellows and only one spring clip on the bottom that’s really pretty easy to access from the right rear wheel well. I was able to release and resecure it with my Mayhew remote cable spring clamp.

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by Oldcarguy

Hi Steve, I almost bought the Reed manometer but I was able to get the Fieldpiece for less so I went with it.

I think you have a point. My current 5.3 reading is with the car not really warmed up (idling in the garage still on the lift, temp gauge somewhat below the 180 hash mark). I’ll make a run in it as soon as the weather clears and measure it when the car is really at true operating temp (like I do for camshaft devs).

I actually borrowed that one from someone else, I personally have this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N3PPZZY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That looks just like yours. Actually I think Amazon has changed the picture on me, as I think mine is *exactly* like yours.

I bet when you take it for a nice drive it will be within spec, I hope so anyway!

[SC-986]

Fred or Steve,
Where did you source the aftermarket oil cap that you modified to work with your manometer? I tried the local auto parts stores with no luck.
After having to disassemble and clean the intake after a previous AOS failure I like the idea of being proactive with this part.
Thanks,

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by SC-986

Fred or Steve,
Where did you source the aftermarket oil cap that you modified to work with your manometer? I tried the local auto parts stores with no luck.
After having to disassemble and clean the intake after a previous AOS failure I like the idea of being proactive with this part.
Thanks,

Hi SC, I ordered the actual Porsche cap by part # from either Pelican or EBay (I forget which) then drilled and tapped it for the manometer fitting. I used plumbers tape on the threads to insure a seal.

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by steved0x

I actually borrowed that one from someone else, I personally have this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N3PPZZY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That looks just like yours. Actually I think Amazon has changed the picture on me, as I think mine is *exactly* like yours.

I bet when you take it for a nice drive it will be within spec, I hope so anyway!

Steve, yup, except for the color that’s exactly like my first one that’s in this thread’s pics. I’m going to test both manometers back to back when I remeasure after a good drive. Thanks for the good thoughts, I’m betting that the car being properly warmed up will bring it into spec.

[steved0x]

I got my extra oil cap from r o c k a u t o I think.

[SC-986]

Thanks Fred, the pic below shows the oil cap in my '02 base. When I went on Pelican's site and searched for "oil cap" for both '02 & '04 the yellow cap with the ridge in the center was the only option.



The pic below is from my '04 SE - have not had it long and didn't even make the connection that caps were different.


Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by SC-986

Thanks Fred, the pic below shows the oil cap in my '02 base. When I went on Pelican's site and searched for "oil cap" for both '02 & '04 the yellow cap with the ridge in the center was the only option.

The pic below is from my '04 SE - have not had it long and didn't even make the connection that caps were different.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

You’re welcome. I saw the yellow cap when I was seaching also. Hunted around on ebay and found the black flat one by part no (996 107 035 52). When I search on this part # in Pelican I get the “cant confirm it fits your 2004 SE” message. Odd. I found several on eBay also.

[JFP in PA]

The yellow and black caps are interchangeable, they both fit and both can be drilled for the fittings.

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by SC-986

Thanks Fred, the pic below shows the oil cap in my '02 base. When I went on Pelican's site and searched for "oil cap" for both '02 & '04 the yellow cap with the ridge in the center was the only option.. . .Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Hey SC-986, if you’d like, please post some pics and info about your 550SE in the 986 550 SE show and tell thread:

Official 2004 Boxster S 550 Anniversary Edition thread

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

The yellow and black caps are interchangeable, they both fit and both can be drilled for the fittings.

Thanks JFP. Sometimes I think I’d prefer the yellow cap. It seems it might be easier to get off and on.