How to get to engine
 

I have a 2011 Boxster. I bought the 101 projects book and the first thing I want to do is get to the engine. I released the 2 plastic clips on the convertible top first no problem, but I am having trouble releasing the ball/socket on the end of the cable. What is the easiest way to do this?

gently pry, it will release.

So the socket just "snaps" over the ball? It has a spring clip inside?

Mine is older (2001) so it may be different but I found that if I rotated the ball towards the back of the car with a little slack in the cable, it popped off easier.

Yes a 'gentle' rotation and pull.... it will come off each side... once you do it once you'll know the exact amount of force both on and off. Then the fun begins cracking the hatch on your 4 wheel 'U' boat...once inside you'll be amazed at the DIRT yours is a 2011 vintage so your dust and dirt will be less. I yearly spary a diluted mix of Simple Green (1 to 1 ratio mixed with water ) and spray the dirty bits. Cover the electronics with saran warp and let it sit for approx 15 mins then GENTLY and I mean GENTLY use a bit of water and a old rag and clean what you can see you'll be amazed at the crap that runs out underneath the car. Some will say DONT ever clean the engine bay but if you use the cleaner sparingly as well as the water you'll be rewarded with a clean engine bay. I know my local Porsche mech tells me every time he has to work on mine that its allot better scouting out issues with a clean engine.