981 Cayman Engine Access Cover Removal

Here is how to get access to the top of your engine in any 981 Cayman with a hard top. I have a GT4 so the principal is the same with the rest of the hard top 981's.

[@gggasbell]

Excellent description of this and gave me the inspiration to put my roll bar in myself. Then, to replace a failed engine bay fan. Very helpful - Thank You!

[@gtmachine6134]

your very welcome Glad the video was able to help you.

[@koreanstallion]

Nice looking car! I already know I’m not going to do this on my own! It’s scary just watching you taking off the covers. Thank you for the nice detailed video!

[@gtmachine6134]

Your Welcome. Its not overly difficult. Just be easy on the panels to get the clips to release.

[@jloan0]

Thanks for making the video. I had to get to the changeover valve in the engine bay today. The video helped lot!

[@gtmachine6134]

Your very welcome. I'm glad that it helped you.

[@bbviper3674]

Honey, I need to check the oil level on my car..... See you tomorrow.

[@epiet270]

Well, that’s just on the dash, but yeah this is a bit much to do for a look at your engine.

[@gtmachine6134]

yea its not hate full to access. Took me about 30 min to get it all apart. Also there is no dip stick for the engine.

[@iwilldie75]

I feel you Viper…😂😂😂

[@TheAutomotiveFanatic]

Thanks, this will come in very handy when I start ripping apart my GT4.

[@gtmachine6134]

your welcome glad i could help you

[@dusanmarkovic9599]

Thanks very much for posting this video! It's super helpful. Cheers!

[@gtmachine6134]

glad i was able to help you

[@dr.cohen-sasson2282]

Wow. So much more involved than my 987.2. It's almost like Porsche doesn't want you to access the engine.

[@gtmachine6134]

Its not hateful for all things considered.

[@karltaht2370]

Really great video man, thanks for the step by step and calling out the extra force required on some panels.

[@gtmachine6134]

welcome I hope it was able to help you

[@karltaht2370]

Yep! Just finished the install of Dundon runners on my 981. Amazing how much it smoothed out the power. @@gtmachine6134

[@carsandkoi]

this helped a LOT! Thank you!

[@zryhmer]

I had to reseat a few panels because the dealer I bought mine from wasn’t Porsche and the trunk was a rattle trap. Taking the speaker grills out takes a few extra minutes but it makes putting the carpet back infinitely easier.

[@billmartin7075]

Took my Cayman for its first smog test and the Tech said that I needed to show the engine for visual inspection. Luckily found your video. This was very helpful, but I would mention where the small anti-squeak rubber pieces need to stay attached to the plastic covers. Some of mine feel off when I was detaching the covers and fell into the small holes.

[@gtmachine6134]

Your talking about those little tubes right? yea they are a pita sometimes to keep track of.

[@GAMEbuffHD]

I think the better option to work on these cars is from bottom....but again that just makes it difficult to work at home without lift. Definitely crossing this car out of my list 😅

[@gtmachine6134]

Its not terrible to access. You cannot access the top of the engine at all from the bottom unless you drop the engine.

[@callelindstrom4789]

Very informative och enjoyable. Many thx for this. Very helpful 💪🏻🫶🏻

[@gtmachine6134]

Thanks

[@chucklang1355]

Thanks! Hope it is easy as you made it look!

[@gtmachine6134]

Thank you very much. It wasn't to bad just time consuming is all. The hardest part was removing and reinstalling the trim panels for the seat belt.

[@knn3th]

Great video. But for regular maintenance, acces to the engine through the bottom or the cabin (which is much much easier) is the enough. You only have to get this engine top cover off if something is broken (which rarely happens).

[@dzgtnbz3680]

Thank you this helped tremendously.

[@gtmachine6134]

Your very welcome. I am glad this can help others.

[@j.mpower622]

Very nice video Sir and quite a car you have there.

[@gtmachine6134]

Thank you very much. I have worked very hard to get to where I am today.

[@j.mpower622]

@@gtmachine6134 hard work always proceeds benefits. Glad you are enjoying. Keep being successful brother.

[@chromaventure]

It would be great if you had a list of the tools you used to do this in the description. Great videos

[@rogerstabin1115]

Great Video it help me a lot. Caymans Rule 😎

[@adamtip]

thanks for posting!

[@brianwrigley2829]

Love your 981 GT4! I’ve got a 982/718 GT4 in racing yellow too. I’m assuming the procedure is the same as yours. The interior pieces look exactly the same in the back area of the car. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Love to see a video for removing the engine cover behind the seats.

[@gtmachine6134]

Yep should be the exact same. i believe the body is the exact same, they just reshaped a few areas. I plan to remove that cover over the winter when i do the belt.

[@Aardvark49]

Thanks for this video. I've got a 2014 981 Base with 85k miles that's got a small engine stumble, most noticeable when cold. No check engine light. I'm thinking mass airflow sensor may need cleaning so need to see how to get engine cover off.

[@gtmachine6134]

Do you have a scanner? Might want to look at the data to see if you can pinpoint the issue. Is your cayman engine direct injection? Could be carbon build up.

[@Aardvark49]

@@gtmachine6134 Good suggestion. I have a POR2 scanner. And yes it’s a DI engine as yours is. If you’d like I can email you my 2 oil analysis reports I’ve done in year and a half I’ve had the car.

[@yb2112]

out of sight out of mind...

[@ascgazz]

Well that’s put me off. Thank you 😂 👍🏻

[@gtmachine6134]

Its not as bad as it looks.

[@Schnorbitz]

Do you think you could get away without removing the cross bar trim behind the seats? Would the engine cover trim panel pull out from under it and then slide back in for replacement?

[@gtmachine6134]

You can, but its a real pita to get out the 2 bolts that are semi covered by that part. Its just easier to remove that part then to fight access issues.

[@terrencelawrence5007]

I don't know if I would actually put the trim pieces back..

[@gtmachine6134]

You could probably get away with leaving some off. I'm to ocd for that lol.

[@peterpavlidakey8343]

Where did you get the silver wing uprights and bracket or was that factory?

[@gtmachine6134]

The Silver Wing uprights are factory. Its a rare choice as most are black.

[@cliftonfrey1174]

By removing the engine cover what work would be easier to do from the top of the engine?

[@gtmachine6134]

Cleaning the engine, having to replace anything ontop of the engine. To access the starter or alternator replacement. Install upgraded intake/plenum or throttlebody.

[@jeebsy718]

great video - really useful. do you know how the storage drawers at the side come out?

[@gtmachine6134]

yes once you have the carpet out and the trim pieces off for the seat belt there are bolts and clips that hold them in.

[@jeebsy718]

@@gtmachine6134 thanks - I'm doing a backup camera install this weekend and your video was great for showing how the required trims out.

[@gtmachine6134]

@@jeebsy718 I'm glad this was able to help you out.

[@backnunAndy]

what can you do from the top?!?! 987 vs 981....... 987 seems to be more accessible for sure and doesn't require to remove interior trims.

[@gtmachine6134]

You access the Top of the engine. It helps with o2 sensor replacement, throttle body replacement, cleaning of the engine, starter/ alternator replacement. Any sensor that's ontop of the engine.

[@fadibousamra8973]

What do you access to when you do that? When is it necessary to do?

[@gtmachine6134]

It really isn't necessary unless your having issues with the top of the engine (sensors or leaks) If your upgrading components or if you just want to clean the top of the engine off.

[@Brownie-956]

Awesome. I don't think I'll ever need to access the engine on mine but really useful to know how to in case I did. Thanks for the video 👍 I assume accessing the air filters is reasonably simple too?

[@federicoottenziali9290]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX_FeYyMo62qqNE

[@gtmachine6134]

I am waiting for my filters to come in and will have a video for those as well

[@BurgerTimeBenny]

Where did you get that orange pry tool?

[@gtmachine6134]

They are trim panel tools. They are Matco Branded.

[@rayhilton6821]

How did you clean your engine ?

[@gtmachine6134]

I removed all the top covers to get access to the top. When i had the intake plenum removed I sat in the trunk and got a hose and some soap and scrubbed the engine. I used tooth brushes, and other bushes you would use for interior cleaning.

[@edisongeller565]

Where about in MD are you out of?

[@gtmachine6134]

I am just south of Baltimore

[@anonimushbosh]

Did Porsche really make garages do all that every time they need access to the top of the engine? There’s a video of a guy removing the metal engine cover to see what it sounds like and the only thing he does first is pull away the carpet covering it.

[@gtmachine6134]

On my generation and the newer 982/718 you have to remove all those components to get it out. I guess If you want to cut the carpet you would only have to remove the 1 panel. Its not terrible to remove all the panels. Just take time.

[@richardhung3878]

Is 718 GT4 same as this?

[@gtmachine6134]

I am sure its pretty close. I would need to see a pic of inside the trunk of the car. But basic is the same i am sure.

[@richardhung3878]

@@gtmachine6134 I just talked to my mechanic, he told me that the only cover that needs to open to clean up the radiator fan is the back cover (the cover behind the seats). If you can make a video of that will be great!

[@gtmachine6134]

@@richardhung3878 I am not sure what exactly your talking about. Are you referring to the fans that bring fresh air into the engine bay, or for the radiators up front where the radiators are?

[@richardhung3878]

@@gtmachine6134 Actually It is hard to describe by word, do you want to give me your e mail and I can send you some pictures?

[@gtmachine6134]

@@richardhung3878 Its [e-mail]

[@koruki]

Have you ever tried driving with all of that off? Lol is it much louder? Like a poor man’s GT4RS

[@gtmachine6134]

Yes i did, but just around the neighborhood. I removed it all to clean the engine and engine bay when i bought the car and wanted to get the engine hot to dry off before i put everything back together. It was very noise. There is someone who makes a clear cover so you can see the engine and hear it more if you want that look. My wife gets a little mad when its too loud lol.

[@koruki]

@@gtmachine6134 yeah that’s awesome I was just thinking someone should make a see through cover. Though it’s prob not that pretty lol 😆

[@augustuspatrone6790]

What a nightmare

[@gtmachine6134]

Yea its complicated but when you don't drive the car all the time you really don't need to get in there. I open it once a year to clean the top of the engine off.

[@i5artube]

It takes so much, please, next time show us the motor a little bit more.

[@steveyweavey1727]

Ù

[@agustinoidong3935]

its quite frustrating af