The engine air filter plays a vital role in protecting your engine as it stops various debris particles from entering and causing damage. As debris adds up with every mile traveled, the air filter will reach its maximum dirt absorption capacity at some point. When this happens, the air flow resistance rises and affects the engine’s performance. So, it is important to replace the air filter at your vehicle’s specified maintenance interval. However, you may need to change your air filter sooner depending on your driving conditions.
While changing the engine air filters on your Porsche Cayman requires you to remove several trims, it’s still very easy and a great way to save money doing it yourself. To get an overview of the procedure, check out this video from the YouTube channel, Flat 6 Motorsports. Detailed step-by-step instructions, along with the parts and tools you’ll need, can be found below.
Step 1: Remove the plastic and carpeted trim panels in the trunk.
- Open the trunk.
- Grab the top grab handles on the carpeted side panels and pull them outwards to remove.
- Pull the C-pillar plastic trims outward to remove.
- Pull the upper plastic trim that covers the oil and coolant filler caps and maneuver it out .
- Remove the carpet covering the air filters.
Step 2: Remove the DME module and oil filler tube.
- Locate and remove four 10mm bolts that hold the DME module in place.
- Move the DME module to the side as much as possible, but don’t disconnect it.
- Disconnect the oil filler tube from the neck. Locate the oil tube connector, squeeze on both sides, and pull it down.
- To prevent oil from dripping, block off the oil filler neck with a paper towel.
- Move the oil tube out of the way.
Step 3: Replace the engine air filters.
- Locate and remove the T25 torx screws that holds the air filter housings in place.
- On each air filter housing, grab both handles, squeeze them towards each other, and pull the air filter housing out.
- Remove and replace each air filter, which is held on by two Phillips screws.
- Re-install the air filter housings.
Step 4: Reinstall everything.
- Reinstall the oil filler tube and DME module.
- Reinstall the trunk trim pieces.
- Clean up your work area and you’re all done!
