[thunderstrike]

I did an oil change at 5,000 miles, but was not able to change filter at this time due to an issue depicted in the photos. I had my 718 Cayman on a lift with driver rear tire off. When Cayman is off the ground, there is this rod connector piece protruding upward, blocking the pathway to remove oil filter housing. When I place Cayman on the ground, this rod was extracted lower.

Any idea how to lower this rod when on a lift?

In a few days, I will post a complete how-to with pics for everyone.

 

[Viffermike]

Just a theory here:

The service departments I've seen at Porsche dealerships have a considerable amount of full-ramp lifts -- lifts that raise the car off the ground with the suspension under load -- installed. My bet is that the oil-change procedure involves putting a 718 on one of these lifts to facilitate filter removal.

Can anyone who's done an oil change (or seen one done) verify this?

 

[thunderstrike]

The Auto Hobby Shop I used on Maxwell AFB has two drive-on ramps, but I still need to take driver-rear tire off to gain easy access. If no solution I might have to use the drive-on ramps.

I sure light to know that that dag 'em rod does!!!

 

[Goldtrom]

Deleted my wrong message.

Is your car an S?

Did you look at this guide?

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o8ihsjwhkqxojpy/AABMrHzd38d7sfCzMAxYu_ova?dl=0

In that guide it looks like there is enough clearance to remove it with the wheels still on. Can't think of why that would make a difference, but might want to try that.

 

[Ironman]

Apparently that rod is a headlight level sensor, which must be disconnected to remove the oil filter.

Search for the work "sensor" in this thread.

 

[Goldtrom]

@Ironman, that looks plausible: https://porscheparts.checkeredflag....ml?partner=googlebase_adwords&kwd=&origin=pla

Wonder why the guide from the other thread doesn't mention it needing to be removed...

 

[Goldtrom]

From the thread Ironman linked to:


"Porsche technical instructions say to remove the sensor for PDK cars because of the limited space by the addition of an oil cooler for the PDK gearbox. The manual gearbox cars do not have this oil cooler and there is no need to remove the sensor."
@thunderstrike does your car have PDK?

 

[agent 86]

I changed the oil in my CS just 11/17.

I removed the pan below the motor. Placed the car on 4 jack stands. Removed the wheel and changed the oil. I did not have to remove or disconnect anything. I did have to push the 2 hoses out of the way.

The green lever you show in the photo was in the 10 o'clock position.

Unless PDK equipped cars are different, I cannot see any reason the process wouldn't be the same.

If you haven't already done so, check out this thread http://www.718forum.com/forum/oils-fluids-fuel-additives-lubrications/5650-diy-oil-change.html

Forum member JCJ created a tutorial (with photos) and he did not remove any obstructions either.

Good luck!

 

[agent 86]

Oops. I should have read Goldtrom's post before posting my reply. Sorry.

 

[Porsche2018]

My oil was changed by the Porsche dealership at 2360 miles then again at 2501 miles and both times the headlight sensor was disconnected to remove the oil filter/oil filter housing.

 

[thunderstrike]

Deleted my wrong message.

Is your car an S?

Did you look at this guide?

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o8ihsjwhkqxojpy/AABMrHzd38d7sfCzMAxYu_ova?dl=0

In that guide it looks like there is enough clearance to remove it with the wheels still on. Can't think of why that would make a difference, but might want to try that.

Sure did. Mine is not S. Quite different look by the oil filter area.

 

[thunderstrike]

Apparently that rod is a headlight level sensor, which must be disconnected to remove the oil filter.

Search for the work "sensor" in this thread.

I am afraid to disconnect that because its under load -- which means will be very difficult to re-connect.

My alternate plan is to: Take off oil-filter housing. Lower the lift, with tire on. Remove filter housing, re-insert to be ready to screw it on. Tire off and raise lift. and so on.

This is ridiculous, lowering and raising lift and tire mount/take off would add just 10 minutes or so. I plan to change oil only at 5,000 miles using a pump method. At 10,000 mark do the oil and filter change.

https://www.amazon.com/Nulink153-Ex...42454&sr=1-2&keywords=12v+pump+for+oil+change

After an early oil change (not waiting for 10K interval), I can feel the difference -- smoother engine run. I used Liqui Moly 5W-40 synthetic

 

[thunderstrike]

@Ironman, that looks plausible: https://porscheparts.checkeredflag....ml?partner=googlebase_adwords&kwd=&origin=pla

Wonder why the guide from the other thread doesn't mention it needing to be removed...

I think the difference is base model (mine) and the S model.

 

[thunderstrike]

From the thread Ironman linked to:


"Porsche technical instructions say to remove the sensor for PDK cars because of the limited space by the addition of an oil cooler for the PDK gearbox. The manual gearbox cars do not have this oil cooler and there is no need to remove the sensor."

@thunderstrike does your car have PDK?

Yes, it's a PDK equipped.

 

[thunderstrike]

My oil was changed by the Porsche dealership at 2360 miles then again at 2501 miles and both times the headlight sensor was disconnected to remove the oil filter/oil filter housing.

Next time would you ask the oil changing tech to explain how the headlight sensor is disconnected? I really appreciate it.

Also, how much was the oil change?

 

[thunderstrike]

10K mile update. Did a successful oil & filter change without taking off the tire. The lift was definitely a plus.

Porsche needs to relocate the oil filter to the top, next to the filler cap.

 

[porkey]

10K mile update. Did a successful oil & filter change without taking off the tire. The lift was definitely a plus.

Porsche needs to relocate the oil filter to the top, next to the filler cap.

...my hat goes off to you. Yes the lift is a definite plus but it looked like minor surgery on the video I watched. I used to enjoy doing my own oil changes but this one I'll leave to the dealership techs!

 

[Nithros]

Next time would you ask the oil changing tech to explain how the headlight sensor is disconnected?

I only took the nut off the bottom connection to the car and it will drop down far enough to get the filter out. You need to have the wheels free to roll so you can rotate and position the axle where the axle bolts/nuts are not in the way. It is super tight and I guess it would be easier to remove the whole thing but I hate taking hings apart - especially just for an oil change.

 

[porkey]

Next time would you ask the oil changing tech to explain how the headlight sensor is disconnected?

I only took the nut off the bottom connection to the car and it will drop down far enough to get the filter out. You need to have the wheels free to roll so you can rotate and position the axle where the axle bolts/nuts are not in the way. It is super tight and I guess it would be easier to remove the whole thing but I hate taking hings apart - especially just for an oil change.

...and yes, the oil changes/maintenance on my/our Corvettes was a heck of a lot easier! I have no ego to bruise...personally, I'm leaving this to the techs...?

 

[Optical TDI]

Next time would you ask the oil changing tech to explain how the headlight sensor is disconnected?

I only took the nut off the bottom connection to the car and it will drop down far enough to get the filter out. You need to have the wheels free to roll so you can rotate and position the axle where the axle bolts/nuts are not in the way. It is super tight and I guess it would be easier to remove the whole thing but I hate taking hings apart - especially just for an oil change.

...and yes, the oil changes/maintenance on my/our Corvettes was a heck of a lot easier! I have no ego to bruise...personally, I'm leaving this to the techs...?

Me too. I’ve always changed oil in all of my cars, Porsche’s too, but this $150 is well spent $ for a 1x per year oil change.