Leaderboard

Pics as promised to get the rear, lower corner bolts off the covers. I also had to use it on the left (driver's) second-to-the-rearmost bolt as well. In the process of doing the valve covers I broke both sides of the crankcase vent tube(s). You can cut off the hard pieces with a razor and use 3/4" heater hose to re-plumb it. The fitings are already barbed to accept the hose. Some hints along the way: if it looks like something will be in the way, it will be so just remove it so you don't fight it later. Remove the lower engine cover just like you would if replacing the oil filter. That way if (when) you drop something you can get to it quickly. It's also necessary to remove the AC harness plug on the left side. I couldn't get it off without unplugging it. The trick with it is the tabs that hold it together are facing into the freon fitting. You need to slide the connector off the mounting boss (grooved) to get to the tab. Once you get it off, rotate it 180 degrees as shown in the pic so the tab will be on the "visible" side and be easier to get to. I did have to route the wiring differently putting it all back together but with a couple of zip ties it fit just fine. Of interest after taking the covers off, it appears that Porsche put the silicone RTV on the valve cover side of the gasket where the front cover and head meet. In the manual you put the RTV on that seam to make sure it seals and there was nothing there when I pulled them off. Weird. I did this over two separate weekend days. It takes a lot of time just to remove and bolt things back on.