Plastic oil filter!

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Another reason to love your 911: Changing the oil on our Boxster today, I was reminded that the oil-filter can is plastic. (The Boxster has a replaceable-element filter rather than a spin-on can.) It's reasonably well-protected and recessed but certainly not impossible to hit from below with road debris. It's pretty substantial plastic but plastic nonetheless. Wonder why Porsche went that route, and I wouldn't simply reflexively accuse them of cheapness. Or would I?

In the vaguely the same vein, the 996 and 997 don't have oil dipsticks--Porsche claims, sort of, in pursuit of lightness. Only way to check oil level is the electronic Boxster-type (not 911-type) readout in the cockpit.

Stephan

[Rot 911]

Wow, replaceable oil filter element, just like my 1958 Bugeye Sprite. Course the housing on my Sprite is metal.

[Zeke]

This might need to be on another board, but since it's here and since I have a Boxster, I'll comment. The thing has real big threads on the outside rather than threads on the inside like a 911 filter. These would have had to be cast and machined in brass, me thinks, but certainly not AL. That would have just galled at some point.

Given the strength and durability of today's plastics, I think it was a no brainer. Only a stamping of sheet metal would have been more resistant to road hazzards and that would have needed the big metal threads brazed on. A casting is a casting, and an injection molded part in plastic is probably stronger than a metal casting. No brainer.

[CarreraS2]

The no-dipstick thing seems to be more common these days. MBs don't have 'em anymore, either. Although you can buy one from the parts counter for around $30.

I always wondered why. One theory is that even if the part only costs them $5, spread out over millions of cars over the years . . .

[911SCfanatic]

The Boxster has a replaceable-element filter rather than a spin-on can

This is the trend in automotive oil filters. They use the replaceable elements for recyclability. Then, once you get rid of the thick metal tapping plate used in metal can-type oil filters, it's easy to go to the plastic housing.

[sammyg2]

Cool, reminds me of the old toilet paper type filter elements on Chryslers in the 50's
No dipstick? What are they supposed to drop in the oil tank by mistake if they don't have a dipstick?

[msterling]

I like the cartridge idea. less stuff to dispose of. My 5 series Bimmer has one too. It is up front and on top of the engine. I can almost change the oil without getting my hands dirty. Can is cast aluminum with o-rings and a bolt through the top. Not a cheap way to design it but very nice to use.

[Bill Verburg]

The new Audis use the same oil filter design, environmenatlly friendly is the usual reason given.

[Pete000]

VW, Audi and BMW use these types for years...