Guides

DIY guides, written for these cars.

Generation-scoped articles on engines, fluids, transmissions, and common issues — the same knowledge that powers fault finding and the AI assistant.

24 guides
MaintenanceEasy

Porsche 981: Model & Variant Overview

# Porsche 981: Model & Variant Overview The 981 is the third-generation Boxster and second-generation Cayman, built rou…

981Guide
EngineEasy

The MA1 (9A1) Flat-Six

# The MA1 (9A1) Flat-Six The 981 is powered by Porsche's DFI 9A1 / MA1 engine family, a water-cooled, naturally aspirat…

981Guide
DrivetrainModerate

PDK vs Manual

# PDK vs Manual The 981 was offered with two transmissions: a 6-speed manual and the 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic.…

981Guide
BrakesEasy

Fluids & Capacities Cheat-Sheet

# Fluids & Capacities Cheat-Sheet A quick reference for the 981. Always confirm against the owner's manual and the car'…

981Reference
CoolingEasy

Common Problems Guide

# Common Problems Guide The 981 is among the more reliable modern Porsches, but a few items are worth knowing. The bigg…

981Guide
BrakesEasy

Brakes & PCCB

# Brakes & PCCB The 981 uses cross-drilled, internally vented steel discs as standard, with carbon-ceramic brakes avail…

981Guide
Wheels & tyresEasy

Suspension & PASM

# Suspension & PASM The 981 uses a MacPherson strut suspension at both the front and rear, with lightweight aluminium c…

981Guide
MaintenanceReference

Buyer's Inspection Checklist

# Buyer's Inspection Checklist A focused pre-purchase checklist for a used 981 Boxster or Cayman. A professional pre-pu…

981Guide
EngineEasy

DIY Oil Change

# DIY Oil Change The 981 oil change is a beginner-friendly job. The engine takes about **7.5 L** of Porsche A40-approve…

981Guide
BrakesEasy

DIY Brake Pads

# DIY Brake Pads Replacing pads on the 981's fixed monobloc calipers is a moderate DIY job. **Do not attempt this on PC…

981Guide
CoolingEasy

Cooling System

# Cooling System The 981 mid-engine layout places the radiators at the **front** of the car, fed by ducting from the fr…

981Guide
MaintenanceEasy

Convertible Top (Boxster)

# Convertible Top (Boxster) The 981 Boxster (and the Spyder) uses a power-operated fabric convertible top that can be r…

981Guide
MaintenanceEasy

Porsche 987: Model & Variant Overview

# Porsche 987: Model & Variant Overview The 987 is the second-generation Boxster and the first-generation Cayman, built…

987Guide
EngineEasy

The M96/M97 and 9A1 Flat-Six Engines

# The M96/M97 and 9A1 Flat-Six Engines The 987 spans two entirely different engine families, and the reliability pictur…

987Guide
DrivetrainModerate

Transmissions: Manual, Tiptronic S & PDK

# Transmissions: Manual, Tiptronic S & PDK Like the engines, the 987 gearbox story splits cleanly by era. ## Manual (b…

987Guide
BrakesEasy

Fluids & Capacities Cheat-Sheet

# Fluids & Capacities Cheat-Sheet A quick reference for the 987. Always confirm against the owner's manual, the car's l…

987Reference
CoolingEasy

Common Problems Guide

# Common Problems Guide The 987 is a rewarding car, but its weak points depend heavily on era. The M96/M97 (987.1) carr…

987Guide
BrakesEasy

Brakes (and PCCB)

# Brakes (and PCCB) The 987 uses cross-drilled, internally vented steel discs as standard, with the carbon-ceramic PCCB…

987Guide
Wheels & tyresEasy

Suspension & PASM

# Suspension & PASM The 987 uses MacPherson-strut suspension front and rear with lightweight components, and its mid-en…

987Guide
EngineReference

Buyer's Inspection Checklist

# Buyer's Inspection Checklist A focused pre-purchase checklist for a used 987 Boxster or Cayman. A professional pre-pu…

987Guide
EngineEasy

DIY: Oil & Filter Change

# DIY: Oil & Filter Change The 987 oil change is a beginner-friendly job and identical in principle across both eras. C…

987Guide
BrakesEasy

DIY: Brake Pads

# DIY: Brake Pads Replacing pads on the 987's fixed monobloc calipers is a moderate DIY job. **Do not attempt this on P…

987Guide
CoolingEasy

Cooling System

# Cooling System The 987's mid-engine layout places the radiators at the **front** of the car, fed by ducting from the…

987Guide
MaintenanceEasy

Boxster Convertible Top

# Boxster Convertible Top The 987 Boxster uses a power-operated fabric convertible top that raises or lowers in a few s…

987Guide

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