My new 982 718 Cayman S PDK

[Brian_Innes]

In all my years of doing air filter maintenance, I have never come across such an accumulation of combustible debris in such a short period of time and mileage.

My location in Scotland's Highlands, mean I am frequently driving on roads lined with trees. When coming up behind slower traffic, the slipstream of the vehicle in front whips up the leaves so it is inevitable that some find their way into the side pod air duct.

Mesh has already been purchased, all I need to do is remove the side pod grill............if that can be done successfully without breaking any of the clips.

Zunsport do a 718 side pod grill mesh, but they are fitted externally over the grill and look absolutely horrible. Anyway, my side pod grills are painted in body colour so that rules that option out. Porsche really need to address this debris problem in my opinion.

Brian

 

[Ray]

I must say that the filter has done its job. But like you I too was amazed at the amount of debris which finds its way into the areas where we would prefer it not to be. I own a 981 and am looking at the aftermarket grilles which can be fitted but what troubles me is the warranty issue.

I think that it is time Porsche sat down around the design table and figured out what they could do to stop this problem.

Ray

 

[Motorhead]

In fairness, all that muck's on the dirty side of the filter, so it's doing its job properly.

But as you say Brian, quite a substantial accumulation in 10k miles. We can only guess how much there'd be by the 60k miles recommended service interval.

Maybe the problem's accentuated by the fact that we drive on the left over here and the intake hoovers-up more debris from the gutter than it would for a car driving on the right?

Jeff

 

[Brian_Innes]

Jeff,

All your points are valid. Driving on the left as we do in the UK, certainly accentuates the problem of debris accumulating in the air box. The OE air filter certainly does its job in blocking (filtering) the debris that finds its way that far. The replacement BMC filter will do an equally, if not more efficient job in this respect.

What concerns me most about the debris in the air box is, on my trips south where dual carriageways and motorways predominate, occasionally I see lighted cigarettes being tossed out of the windows of vehicles I am following or in the process of overtaking. It is not inconceivable that the discarded cigarette butt could be sucked into the left hand air duct and quickly find its way in to the air box thus causing a catastrophic fire. Porsche definitely need to address this by fitting mesh behind the side pod air intakes. If I recall correctly, it was due to an air box fire caused by a discarded cigarette end, that a blanking plate was fitted on 987 Boxsters and Caymans behind left hand air intake grill. This is the blanking plate that some owners subsequently removed in the so called "de-snorking" mod.

Today, I completed the reassembly of the various sections of plastic trim and carpet to restore my 718 CS back to normal. The trickiest parts to replace were the seat belt shrouds, and the carpet section on top of the bulkhead. It all took a fair bit of jiggling about locating the fixings and heel of hand thumping, but everything clicked back into place ok. Next time I'll know better where all the fixing lugs are when prising off the plastic sections.

The new BMC filter looks much more efficient and is a snug fit into the air box exactly as the OE filter is. The BMC filter is slightly shallower than the OE paper element, but that should enhance the airflow properties within the air box. To my relief, after starting the engine no warning lights appeared, and the engine response certainly seems brisker.

A few photos for your interest to follow.

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

This is the inside of the 718 air box showing the air duct slot from the left hand side pod.

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

Job done and trim sections back in place.

Brian

 

[ChrisW]

And a 60,000 mile service interval ...

 

[Brian_Innes]

Absolutely Chris.

Porsche need to emphasise the importance of regular air filter inspections on the Boxster/Cayman range. Certainly for the UK market. In my opinion, going by my recent experience, an annual/10,000 mile check is advisable.

My next job is to investigate fitting mesh behind the side pod intakes. Getting the plastic side pod grills off is a tricky operation.

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

At the weekend, I had a 150 mile drive east along the Moray coast to Whitehills near Banff to road test the new BMC air filter.

Everything seems fine, my DIY interference within the engine bay had no ill effects with no warning lights appearing .....much to my relief.

Engine blipping seems slightly sharper, (I use Sport mode all the time), no perceptible difference in performance apparent. The 718 CS is already quick and responsive even with the stock paper air filter. Optimisation is the key thing here.

My plan for the air intake grill mesh needs further thought. I had intended to affix the mesh directly behind the plastic grill with Gorilla tape. This may be turn out to be problematic, as the mesh would make the subsequent removal of the grill impossible as it wouldn't then be possible to get fingers in behind the grill to squeeze the clips from their mountings.

However, I have a plan B utilising magnets for locating the mesh......

more later......

Brian

 

[Ray]

I hope this modification is not going to end in tears Brian!

 

[bandido]

Brian

you have done a nice job changing the filter and a much better job of posting the photos which are meticulous and exemplary. But if you really think some (air permeable) debris the size of what-a matchbox??- is making your engine 'blip' better.....

 

[bandido]

One more thing:

'roads lined with trees in the Scottish highlands'

Is it pine needles on the filter (I can't see)?

 

[Brian_Innes]

The grill mesh idea is work in progress. It's a proving to be difficult area to fit mesh securely behind the side pod intake grill and still be able to remove it afterwards. Porsche should really be fitting left side air intake mesh for UK cars.

Because we drive on the left, the left side air intake is more exposed to roadside debris and discarded cigarettes thrown from vehicles on dual carriageways and motorways. Driving on the right, the left side air intake is furthest away from all these hazards.

Yes, pine needles, cranefly corpses, and beech leaves, all found their way into the air box. The OE filter did its job of filtering the rubbish, it's just the resulting fire hazard that concerned me most.

The accumulated debris didn't so much impair the throttle blipping, the slight improvement in throttle sharpness comes from the cotton filter air flow being more efficient compared to the OE paper filter. When you see the two filters together side by side, the cotton filter is the more efficient product regarding air flow properties.

Brian

 

[S_Keenay]

Brian,

I've really enjoyed your posts and you PP article about your 718 CS PDK. Thanks for taking the time a trouble.

I acquired my 718 in November 2017. It is my third Cayman and, I feel, the best one I've had. Your spec is similar to mine with the exception of the PSE and I wonder if that's the source of the "droning" sound you mentioned in your post on 28/12/17? It's not something I'm aware of, but that may just be down to my ears!

I recall you saying in one post that you'd had the oil and filter changed at around 6,000 miles. Now, to date, my car hasn't covered anything like the mileage yours has - 4,500 only so far - but that will change this year with a lengthy trip to France/Germany planned for the summer. This is, of course, before the 2 year service interval comes up. So I was wondering what the consensus was on this: is it worthwhile changing the oil/filter now, or leaving it until the 2 years are up? I'd add that I intend to keep this one for a while.

Stuart.

 

[roblaurie]

Stuart (and Brian),

I too started following Brian's posts recently having returned to the fold after a two year break from Porsche.

I've just bought a 718 S too, it also being my 3rd Cayman, having also had a 987 R and a 981 S. And despite what has been said and how good the 981 is, the 718 is better - fact. I've had quite a few petrol turbo cars, before and between my Porsches and I like them, they're so driveable on the road. A N/A Porsche is great on track because you keep the revs up all the time but if you want to get a sudden move on, on the road, you have to drop down 4 or five gears to get into the power band.

I haven't tracked my new one yet but it seems to like revs too, so I'm expecting it to be fun (and fast).

On the droning/booming issue in the cabin, I particularly went for a car without the PSE. Noise doesn't do it for me, I know I'm unusual ! I found my R had a terrible cabin boom and was delighted when I moved to the 981 and things were much more civilised.

I'm just about to have an interim oil and filter change and I know Porsche have always told me it's not necessary, but I'll be doing a few track days this year and I may well be keeping this car for a while, so it's for a bit of peace of mind.

Be interested to hear of your track day plans, although we do live hundreds of miles apart. My nearest one is Castle Combe, but I have booked Donington and will be doing Oulton Park again at the end of October. Haven't decided whether to do Silverstone, maybe next year.

Cheers,

Rob

 

[Brian_Innes]

Rob,

The 718 PSE droning is only apparent at dual carriageway/motorway speeds in my experience. On the roads I do most of my miles on, I enjoy playing tunes on the paddle shifters in sport mode and letting the engine sing its song in the higher rev ranges. It's not so bad after a while, and you do get used to the different sound. My 987 CR also had droning and boomy issues with the PSE at certain revs, mainly when pottering or cruising. The CR had less sound insulation on the engine bulkhead and this may have contributed to the boomy-ness at certain speeds. I used to drop down gear or two in urban areas which used to help with the CR PSE booming. (Some choose to forget about this on the CR) I never found it an issue as the CR had such amazing qualities in other departments. With the 718 CS and PSE I have the same approach.

Stuart,

Regarding the oil and filter service. I would definitely have this done before your trip to France. After running-in a new engine I have always changed the engine oil and filter at 5-6K miles. After that, I have my oil and filter changed once a year for the mileage I do which is up to 10K per year.

I have booked two PCGB track days this year. Knockhill, my "home" circuit, on July 14th, and Blyton Park on May 25th. The latter is a new track for me. I shall also be attending Anglesey on May 19th, but as I missed the cut for that I'll just be spectating. I'll take any passenger tours on offer from other drivers though.......

Brian

 

[bandido]

I take your point about the cotton product. The following possibilities occur to me (there may be others)-

Porsche don't fit a fabric product because

a) it's too expensive (hmm..)

b) it requires too frequent replacement

c) there is some emissions issue (clutching at straws)

d) it's no better/not as good

e) a blend of the foregoing

Regarding mesh. The bonfire issue cannot be rule out. Absent that, regarding outcomes in breathing terms, what is the airflow equation of the restriction of the mesh versus a leaf or two on the filter? Not much I'd guess. In other words not much on a factor which may in itself turn out to be not much But it would save changing the filter so often (if that is necessary). Which leads to the question why Porsche didn't fit a mesh (at least for UK, Japan etc)...

a) it's too expensive

b) they hadn't thought of it but will

c) relax

Incidentally regarding cigarettes discharged on the road: my wife has just bought a 3 year old Golf (18k not bad at all) which came from Dunfermline I think, somewhere in Fife, not your neck of the woods (or was it Dundee?-still not close) but anyway that guy was seriously smoking, From the smell most of his butts stayed in the cab but you can't be too careful. Next 12 months we will be majoring on cabin air filter changes!

Great photos and useful guidance on the procedure as I said before.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Bandido,

All interesting points and well put.

I think the main deterrent for Porsche not fitting cotton air filters on mainstream models is unit cost. Also they need cleaning and re-oiling periodically. BMC recommend doing this every 18,000 miles. Porsche don't want OPC's to be faffing about with that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the 997 GTS power kit option include cotton air filters?

If my mesh idea doesn't work, I'll just clean out the air box once a year and do my best to avoid airborne cigarette butts.

The bonfire issue is a real concern. If I recall correctly, the original Boxster/Cayman had a baffle plate fitted behind the left side air intake on the 987 due to the ingestion of a lighted cigarette butt setting alight the paper filter inside the air box. The larger, jug-eared air intakes on the 718 and GT4 have a far greater chance of this happening than the comparatively modest air intakes of the 987. Porsche should be aware of this on the 982.

Smokers cabins are a PITA. Buy some Shake 'n Vac for the Golf carpets.......maybe the seats will need a sprinkle too.

Brian

 

[bandido]

that is interesting, the GTS powerkit. The maintenance would be a good explanation for not fitting as standard, I'd forgotten about oiling. There again if Porsche made access easier the maintenance would be simple. (I drive a Boxster 981s but I can see it's not going to be any easier, possibly worse).

yes the Shake and Vac should do it, or we leave a wet dog in there or something...

 

[Brian_Innes]

I hope this modification is not going to end in tears Brian!

Ray,

I take it your comment refers to my doing this mod while my 718 CS is still under warranty.

It's a calculated risk on my part. I have fitted BMC and K&N cotton air filter elements to each and every one of my Caymans, and all have still been under warranty at the time.

In my experience, if something major is going to go wrong in the engine and transmission department it will happen long before 10,000 miles. Especially with the type of road and track driving that I do every year.

I have also purchased a brand new OE paper air filter element to re-fit in place of the BMC filter before I sell the car. In my personal circumstances, I cannot afford to wait another 2 years for the warranty to expire. I like to optimise my cars from day one.

Incidentally, the BMC product is already endorsed by many premium manufacturers as the performance air filter of choice. Porsche also use the BMC product in their motorsport cars, and if I am correct, the 997 GTS power kit option included BMC cotton air filters. So it's hardly a radical departure from standard spec.

Brian