elbeee964

Three years into this car and I'm still running across the odd, trivial thing that's missing -- and it's always the niggling little things -- forgotten on some wrench's work bench long ago...

Last night it was this:

One of these two "Engine Mount Access Caps" was discovered MIA last night.
Looks like it's a $2 triviality.

Last night's project was installing RS engine mounts.
Easy evening's DIY work.
Stock, 15 yr-old mounts showed about 1/2-3/4" permanent sag after removal.
Engine support arm-ends checked out fine, w/o cracks.

Wachuko

Wow... cool. Did not even know there were caps in there...

elbeee964

The caps push down into the tin's holes from the top (inside the engine bay), not from underneath.

(The reason I know this is,

Wachuko

Share a few photos. Remember to use the macro option

elbeee964

I'll post post-assembly photos mounts (& that supercilious access port plug.)

Sorry -- but I didn't snap any mid-installation pics.

But I'll recreate my (goofy-looking) hockey-puck-between-jack-and-engine-case-splitline lift scene (needed to support/adjust the engine/support arm's height during assembly.

Oh, and I'll picture the crappy, 16 yr-old stock mounts. All later.

ThomasC2

same for me, never seen them before.

boxsey911

Nor me, simply because there's never been any in mine since I got her. Probably a good job in my case because it likely saved me a lot of head scratching of how to access the nuts when changing the mounts.

AOW162435

Lonnie,
I installed a set of RS mounts this winter. When I purchased my 993 in '05, one of the first things I noticed was that the same access caps were missing. Promptly ordered from Sunset.





Andreas

Richard Curtis

I also just installed RS mounts (greatly improved the shifting action, especially downshifting). My original C2 mounts were also collapsed, but only about 3/8"). Don't remember seeing any of these access caps of which you speak. Photo?

elbeee964

Haven't driven these, yet.
But it's impressive the amount of space they open up in the their corner of the engine bay (vs. the stock mount cans.)






Trying to show where the $2 plastic caps reside.
(Right underneath both mount/engine's mounting arms. My RH-side one is missing)
Porsche provides access holes/clearance to get to all the engine mount fasteners.


the $2 plastic cap.
(964.106.237.01, 2 reqd.)




There was a bit more gap (or, 'distention') showing yesterday when I took them out.
All the bolts associated with them were showing a surprising amount of surface corrosion.
(More corroded than any other bolts I've pulled from this car, by far.)


hockey puck as lift cushion.

springer3

Those caps are missing in most of the 964s I see. They are a part of the cooling system, and prevent hot air off the exhaust system from mixing with the cooling air from above the car. It is probably not a problem at speed, but at idle after a high-power run, the exhaust system is red hot, and the air off the hot exhaust can mix with the cooling air when you need it most. I recommend replacing those plugs, and fixing any other air leaks in the baffles around the engine.

ThomasC2

I won't order those covers, can you imagine the extra weight of those things! ;-)

elbeee964

First impressions of the RS engine mounts as replacements to stock units:

• Not a major difference in NVH (noise/vibration/harshness) over stock mounts. I was worried about this before the installation. It's a big relief to find this didn't turn out to be a problem. Negligible NVH change.
• Going over jarring bumps (eg, train track crossings) gives a significant seat of the pants feel that there's something sturdily attached behind you. I found it to be a confidence-building feeling of solidity.
• So far, I've noted no perceptible improvement in shifting ease or quality, despite other's reports of this. Seems to be unchanged against stock motor mounts.

Would recommend RS mounts if you'd like a more track 'immediacy-feeling' without annoying NVH concerns.
Also, because of sporadic engine mount arm fracture reports, you'll be prudent to include ongoing, periodic arm inspections for cracks if installing RS mounts. (Or have arm-reinforcing plates welded on.)

ThomasC2

gear shifting in corners on track was much more precise and better after my switch to the RS mounts. In some places on a lap I very often got a "protest" from the gearbox. That disappeared after the switch. for the overall shifting, and driving on the street there's no difference (at least compared to healthy stock mounts).

Wachuko

Nobody has said anything...

You need to clean that car! How can you expect us to see that with all that grime...