Engine Firewall Access 987.2

It's been far more than a decade since I owned my 986 and the new piece in the 987.2 looks different than the Bentley manual. I looked for Youtube videos inclusive of the rug removal to access the aluminum panel removal without finding any. I'm asking if one of you members can describe the procedure for removing the rug panel, post a parts photo or a video I missed for clarification of where the fasteners are located. I don't want the easiest part of the AOS journey to create an issue. Thanks in advance.

It will be very obvious once you get to that point. There are 4 plastic nuts that are on top of the firewall.. The rest of the carpet is just tucked into the various other carpet and trim. On my car, I have to remove the Bose speaker then the carpet on top of the engine to get to the point where I can pull off the carpet on the firewall. Unfortunately my car is up on my lift, with another car under it, so I can't get you fresh pictures or a video. This old picture shows one of the 4 "posts", circled in light blue, where the carpet is attached.

Looking at it again mine has a discreet top piece, that sits on those clips, do they simply pry up? I have a comprehensive plastic and metal pry tool kit I just need to understand orientation. I have plenty of time, the work can't start till after the emission test because a new battery is on the list. New tires too, PS 4's, it's going to be a comprehensive maintenance spring then a trip.

I'm not sure where in the removal process you are stuck. Have you already removed what looks like a grab bar? you need to pry up the ends to access torx screws that attach it to the firewall top. The rubber/plastic rail covers will slide upward and towards the center to get out of the way. Sorry - from memory so I might be off a little. havent been in there for a couple years. Once that's off, the bigger plastic trim piece/cover can be pried up with any trim tool.

I didn't start yet, after the emissions are done it's going in my shop for a week. I'm just looking for references, diagrams or anything else that would allow me to study the disassembly before the job ever begins.

You're working on a Boxster , yes? I have a 987.2 Cayman , but I imagine this process is the same. Once you have the grab bar removed, look for the small Torx fastener holding the full width top trim piece in place. (Item # 1 in the second diagram below.) Once you have that last fastener removed, gently pry the whole plastic piece loose. You can take the plastic bit all the way off, but I'm not sure it's necessary. You really just need to create enough room to get the carpeted piece off a couple of little tabs that slot into the carpet beneath the wide part in the middle. This is the hardest part, in my opinion. Go slow, peek in there to see what's happening, and you will get it. Here's what AllData has for this process:

View from inside

Hmm ... yeah, that's not similar at all. Sorry that I can't help you there. Best, George

Honestly, when I removed the speaker housing and the carpet from my Boxster ( 987.1 ) I don't remember exactly what I had to do but it seems like there were a couple of visible plastic holder/fasteners somewhere along the top edge of the the firewall carpet. Whatever it took it wasn't difficult are tricky. I might have been given a clue watching a video about installing Numeric shifter and cables, since that was the purpose I removed everything. Your Spyder picture is very similar, although I can only dream about having those seats.

While you are waiting for the emissions test and battery , practice some yoga. The best tool for working on these seems to be the ability to contort yourself while trying to reach small pieces of hardware tucked into the bowels of the engine compartment. Good luck. I’m sure it will feel great to have all those things updated. New tires always make a car feel great.

The tires are now at age limit, I believe tires are important for safety and performance. I thought Rodas riding on old rubber in a powerful car like the CGT was foolish, made even more so by the fact he owned his own speed shop. I won't make that mistake in a lesser powered Porsche . As for stress? I'm not at all, my car has a very nice place to sit. After looking at the Bentley book again it appears to me that disassembly of the opposite side, (which is specific to a Spyder in design and placement for the bikini top) may yield the fasteners or the key to removal, that's the plan unless someone else posts here.

Boris - interesting photo. That's the first 987 Boxster I've seen that doesn't have either the storage compartment or woofer-compartment above the firewall carpeting. Whatever. Put the top in the service position and there should be two fairly large (1.5"?) plastic twist-locks toward the rear of the carpeted area behind the roll bar. Twist 90 degrees to release them, then remove them. The large carpeted piece should just lift out then, revealing the fasteners for the carpet in front of the firewall (and revealing the top engine cover.) You might look for a used storage compartment to replace that piece - the pockets in it are handy for gloves, earmuffs, and scarves - useful for winter top-down excursions. If the verbal description isn't adequate - let me know and I'll try to find or take some photos..

Put the top in the service position Which on this model means "protect the car at all costs with carefully applied storage methods". I'll snap pictures when I get at it later next month.

There's a reason it doesn't look like a Boxster or a Cayman behind the seats.

YouTube search on "987 serpentine belt replacement" has videos that include firewall carpet removal.

Wonder if there are any for the Spyder ?? I expect with the lack of a folding top, and the two humps, what goes on back there is considerably different. No "service position" for the top.. and I wonder what's under the humps?

Under the "streamliners" (I learned that's what Porsche calls them in last month's Panorama) Anyway there are foam cutouts, one accommodates the rear window section in a soft roll. The other segments are for the bikini top to lay down into, said top has a rigid pole and a dangling braided steel loop which serves as a tensioner when the unit is applied. I keep a towel in that trunk because I'd sooner get soaked than deviate from the practice I use to apply or remove the top than risk a scratch over some water. Anyhow, these lightweight pieces come right out and under them is the turnbuckle cover and traditional entry into the engine top access. What I cant remember is if the removal of the top piece is quite apparent from that side of the assembly, I think it is, I'll report on whether that memory / assumption turns out to be accurate. After working on a 986 in service mode I can say the Spyder is great in terms of artistic aluminum hinge supports unique to the car which are quite robust but also the room one gains by removal of the pieces I described to you. I'll certainly photograph and post when it all gets underway.

On the right of this first photo, you'll see a red lever, that device locks the steel cable that tensions the top; you can see the loop on the tip. Toward the center is high quality styrene foam, the center space is where the rolled up back piece fits well. Note the turn buckles on the foam piece.

A shot from the other side, this jogged my memory, one can see the way it disassembles as it's layers are removed. I remember seeing it now when the air filter was changed.

Lastly, the hinge, which I believe is a Spyder only item. It's hard to get a good shot of but here's an attempt. I'll post more when the disassembly starts, emission check tomorrow.