When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hey there! I'm currently knee deep in replacing the starter and AOS on my 06 Cayman S and noticed an oily spot with a suspiciously clean spot for a bolt.. I've owned the car for just about a year and this is my first time under the hatch doing anything other than an oil change. I'm not entirely certain what this bolt could be or what it's connected to. I attempted to find some diagrams online to help me narrow it down but I cant seem to figure it out. Any ideas would be helpful!
Hey there! I'm currently knee deep in replacing the starter and AOS on my 06 Cayman S and noticed an oily spot with a suspiciously clean spot for a bolt.. I've owned the car for just about a year and this is my first time under the hatch doing anything other than an oil change. I'm not entirely certain what this bolt could be or what it's connected to. I attempted to find some diagrams online to help me narrow it down but I cant seem to figure it out. Any ideas would be helpful!
I dont think that is a bolt, I think that is where a plastic push in cable tie was at one point.
I'm trying to get my bearings. It looks like you have removed the large "tee" that contains the throttle mechanism? I have attached a picture of the engine looking rearward-ish where the AC compressor goes. There is a tapped hole (for 1 of the AC compressor mounting bolts) there and right next to it a blind hole, that is not tapped and goes nowhere. As I can see in your picture, the hole I am talking about is very near the ~1/2" dia metal line that tees downward into the top of the head. That line is for the secondary air injection. The AC compressor is not installed in this photo, otherwise it would hide the hole I think you are asking about.
If you are replacing the AOS, I highly recommend you replace the two plastic corrugated lines that attach to it. They can be cracked but you wouldn't be able to see it. A crack in one of these lines could certainly drizzle oily fluid. Worse would be if that hardline for the Secondary Air is cracked or the connection to the top of the block is leaking.
You might want to read my article here, if you are new to these engines.
Thanks for the info! The website and videos were a big help with understanding the layout in a more meaningful manner. I've got the corrugated lines on order already as I noticed the top one to the intake was looking worse for wear. I'll dig in to investigate the oil leak. Nothing under the car thankfully but I'm glad i'm spotting it now!
As for direction, the photo is taken from the passenger side above the starter if that helps any
PS: I plan to clean the engine bay once it's buttoned up, I promise!
If the inside of your exposed intake tubes was a little oily, then you may have had a little bit spill out. Less likely, as the car would not run well, is that one of the rubber connector boots is torn at the bottom and seeping fluid. There shouldn't be oil in there but the fact that you are replacing the AOS could indicate that some oily air is getting by.
The engine bay on a Cayman is one giant dust magnet!
12-09-2023, 01:24 PM
Mystery Missing Bolt
