Pelican Technical Article: Air Filter / Pollen Filter Replacement Wayne R. Dempsey
Time: 30 min
Tab: $40
Talent:
Tools:
-
Applicable Models:
986 Boxster (1997-04) 987 Boxster (2005-08)
Parts Required:
Air Filter, Cabin Pollen filter
Hot Tip:
Replace both air filter and pollen filter together
Performance Gain:
Better airflow into your fuel injection system
Complementary Modification:
Install cone filter or cold air intake
This article is one in a series that have been released in conjunction with Wayne's new book, 101 Performance Projects for Your Porsche Boxster. The book contains 312 pages of full color projects detailing everything from performance mods to changing your brake pads. With more than 950+ full-color glossy photos accompanying extensive step-by-step procedures, this book is required reading in any Boxster owner's collection. The book is currently available and in stock now. See The Official Book Website for more details.
Check out some other sample projects from the book:
Every 10,000 miles or so, you should change the air filter in your Boxster. The air filter protects the fuel injection system and the air intake system from dust and debris that can be sucked in under normal operation.
On the Boxster, the filter is located on the left, top side of the engine compartment. In order to reach the top of the engine compartment, you need to slightly lower the roof and raise up the rear convertible top cover (see Figure 1).
To access the filter, simply release the spring clips and pull up on the top cover - the filter should come right out of its housing. Take a look inside the filter housing - there are usually some leaves or dirt that found their way in there. Clean the housing out before installing the new filter.
For the Boxster there are basically two different types of air filtersthe stock paper or cloth air filters and aftermarket units. These aftermarket units utilize an oil-soaked fabric to achieve freer airflow. The bottleneck for airflow in the Boxster engine is not necessarily the air filter. The primary advantage of the aftermarket units is that you usually only have to purchase one, and it will last the life of your car.
No matter what your friends tell you, these aftermarket filters will not add any significant horsepower to your engine. Many tests on a dynamometer have revealed that the freer flow air filters do not suddenly create horsepower out of thin air. If you install one of these filters into your car and swear there's more horsepower, then have a friend do a blind test for you. Have him switch the filters in and out at random and see if you can tell the difference. This is what is commonly called the placebo effect: perceiving significant gains in performance just because you added a performance part.
The downside to using these aftermarket filters is that they often do not filter as well as the factory units. In addition, the use of aftermarket filters may cause excess dirt to accumulate n the mass air flow sensor and lead to its premature failure. The bottom line is that you need to carefully research any aftermarket filter before you install it into your car, and carefully clean and maintain it thereafter. I personally prefer to use the stock OEM cloth/paper filters to ensure maximum filtering and protection. Whichever one you choose, make sure that it filters as well as or better than the original Porsche specifications.
Figure 1
In order to gain access to the engine compartment on the Boxster, you need to place the convertible top into the service position. Raise the top so that the front edge is about 10 above the front windshield. The rear cover or tonneau cover should be up about as far as it can go during the process of opening the roof.
Once the roof is in the service position, there are a few steps that you need to take in order access the top of the engine. A- Disconnect the convertible top plastic fabric rod from the two connectors at the rear bulkhead (yellow arrow). B- Find and pull off the lower ball head of the convertible top tension cables on each side (red arrow). Push the bottom of the folding top towards the front of the car. C- Rotate snaps and remove rear shelf compartment from underneath the convertible top. D- Rotate the clips on the engine compartment cover and lift off.
If you wish to have greater access to the engine compartment, you can disconnect the linkage for the rear cover and slide it up into a position closer to the front of the car. Simply disconnect the small lower circlip from each side (yellow arrow), push the roof forward. Then hold it in place with spare screwdrivers inserted into the locking holes to keep it secure (blue arrow). Be sure to secure the rear cover (sometimes called a clamshell cover) carefully: if it falls, the two nipples on the underside may dent the rear trunk lid.
The air filter is located on the left side of the engine compartment. Snap out the spring clips and pull up on the black plastic housing (green arrow), and you should be able to reach in and pull the filter out. Later cars have a different style air cleaner and filter: begin by removing the two screws on the front cover. Then remove the single screw that attaches the filter to the box, and then wiggle the filter insert out. Transfer the mounting plate to the new filter and reinstall.
Pull up on the air filter cartridge and remove it from the car. You should then be able to easily remove the air filter and replace it with a new one (early style shown in inset photo).
While you're replacing the engine air filter, I recommend that you also swap out the cabin air filter as well. Sometimes known as a pollen filter, the cabin filter is located in the front trunk on the right side of the car. Remove the plastic panel just in front of windshield on the right side (upper left) with a T-25 Torx driver. Then reach in and pull out the filter. Install the new filter in place (upper right) and replace the plastic panel.
Comments: Thanks for all the useful info. I just reconditioned and replaced the K&N air filter in my recently purchased 2004 Boxster S special edition. The filter is not as described in the owners manual or in the Bentley service manual but instead is a large oval K&N filter which was apparently installed by the previous owner. Does anyone know if this filter design change occurred during 2004 or if it is used on later Boxters? If so, is the disposable filter easier to install? It took me over 2 hours of trying to get this filter reinstalled. It is very hard to mate the oval port with the oval seal. The method that I used was to lean over the left fender and reach my right arm around to get my fingers at the back of the filter so that I could apply a lot of pull force. I used my left hand to try to guide the rubber seal onto the port. Even so, it took many tries and a lot of sweat. I never would have imagined that replacing the air filter would be so difficult. If there is a disposable filter that is easier to replace, I would love to try it next time. Thanks!
April 30, 2012
Terry Cooper
Comments: After several hours of trying to get the K&N air filter on, I gave up and went back to the OEM filter. I dont expect a refund but Im out $60
March 11, 2012
Ralphz
Comments: Back in business.
Looks that I did not have the clamshell lid 100% in the service position. A couple of touches to the rocker switch did the trick, all is good again!!!
October 15, 2011
Ralphz
Comments: I just changed the air filter according to these instructions, and all went well until I started to put everything back together. Now I cannot connect the linkage back, the hole is far back than the pin. I tried several times with no luck, I cannot find a way to move the linkage forward. The closest that I can get is about 3/4" away from the correct location.
October 8, 2011
Followup from the Pelican Staff: Cool, thanks for adding the followup in the above comment - good tip! - Wayne at Pelican Parts
Fritter
Comments: Pelican is so reliable that I go onto this site to see what they advise on how to repair and maintain cars that I am about to purchase. In doing this for years I've owned cars that I couldn't have owned taking them to the dealer for ANYTHING. Thanks Pelican for helping this beer drinker have a few sips of fine wine.
August 11, 2011
Followup from the Pelican Staff: No sweat! That's what we're here for... - Wayne at Pelican Parts
puma
Comments: Application: K&N Air Filter for Model Year 2010 3.4L.
Installation: K&N Air Filter installation is difficult. A screw-type clamp is included with the filter, but not necessary, since the OEM clamp holds the filter in place forward and backward movement. Rubber tip on filter needs a bit of oil to "snap" into the plastic OEM clamp. Again, challenging to fit filter in the inlet, and small hands really help.
June 1, 2011
mtnbiker326
Comments: Quick question... With the cabin filter, is it always filtering even when pulling in outside air or only when you are running the continuous circulation of cabin air?
April 18, 2011
Followup from the Pelican Staff: It is my understanding that this filter only filters air from the outside entering into the cabin, but I'm not completely 100% sure. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
JoeP
Comments: Follow up to my K & N Filter problem. Non response was not K & N fault. Email never went out. Upon sending it again, rep got right back to me and we discussed problem. Rep agreed this install was one of the more difficult and listened to my suggestions for reengineering. Rep offered and I accepted a full refund. Case closed, kudos to K&N for their satisfaction guarantee. Ordered an OEM filter and it went on in a snap.
April 5, 2011
Followup from the Pelican Staff: I've never been a huge fan of the non-disposable filters myself - they don't appear to clean the air as well, and they can also deposit oil residue on the Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) which can cause problems and perhaps speed the need to replace the sensor. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
JoeP
Comments: Tried for 3 hours to get a K & N air filter to fit on to the oval shaped port and was unsuccesful. Unlike the Porsche OEM filter which has a rigid pre shapped oval, the K & N must be hand formed. Also, you can only use on hand effectively to try the install. K & N's instructi9on shows the install w/ the air box out of the car. That's not an option. Any suggestions. K & N is unresponsive.
March 31, 2011
Followup from the Pelican Staff: I'm going to copy this question to our Boxster Technical Forums and then send you the link so that you can post some pictures there and we can try to help you with the installation there.- Wayne at Pelican Parts
dec7td
Comments: How do I fold up the bottom half of the top when the glass is made of glass instead of plastic? The seats/roll bar gets in the way and the top just ends up hanging about a foot over the engine and gets in the way. Also, is there a special tool to remove the circlips?
March 19, 2011
Followup from the Pelican Staff: Yup, that's what happens with the upgraded glass roof on the early cars - you just have to get used to it when working on the engine. For the removal of the circlips, I just typically use a set of needle-nose pliers. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
Lee
Comments: Great site. Very helpful. Take out the guess work.
Thank you!
March 6, 2011
Ed from England
Comments: Great web site. Doing the simple maintenance i.e. Air & pollen filters makes you part of the car. 10/10.
saved me pounds that english money
February 23, 2011
Followup from the Pelican Staff: Thanks for the kind words. Great wheels on the car (SportDesign IIs - the same ones on my Boxster). - Wayne at Pelican Parts
irv
Comments: shown proceedure is for the 986, not the 987 which uses a cylindrical filter with very tough access. Do you have info for this one?
June 17, 2010
Followup from the Pelican Staff: It's actually very easy on the 987 - you simply remove the cover and then the filter element slides out. I agree, it can be slightly tricky if you haven't done it before, but once you do it the first time, you can get it out in about 20 seconds. Hidden in the captions for Figure Four is this info: Later cars have a different style air cleaner and filter: begin by removing the two screws on the front cover. Then remove the single screw that attaches the filter to the box, and then wiggle the filter insert out. Transfer the mounting plate to the new filter and reinstall. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
kd
Comments: What a web site very high marks easy to read and instructions are excellent. 10 out of 5 rating
June 9, 2010
Check out some other sample projects from the book:
