Book servicing or diagnosis for your 987 or 981 Cayman, including manual, Tiptronic, PDK and 981 GT4 models. Tell us the warning, leak, noise or service due. We match the engine and gearbox before agreeing checks and a written quote.
Our published Porsche workshop ranges give a starting point. Your engine, oil allowance and service record determine the final Cayman quote.
Approved oil within the agreed allowance, filter, routine labour and service checks. Other scheduled items and repairs are extra.
Agreed initial checks. Extended tracing, dismantling, programming and parts are separate.
Confirm access labour, parts, fluids and any specialist work. Warranty terms depend on the job and parts. Request coverage, duration, mileage limit and exclusions before approval.
These planning ranges come from our published service guides. They are not completed customer jobs or fixed Cayman offers. Each includes routine fitting and 5% VAT only for the work described. Confirm the engine, access and parts before approval.
For an eligible routine 987 or 981 engine-pump replacement after diagnosis. Includes one compatible new pump, required seals, specified coolant, bleeding and final leak and operating checks.
Diagnosis, thermostat, damaged pipes, contamination and overheating damage are separate. GT4 or unusual access requires confirmation.
Check water pump repair detailsCompatible supplier-brand pad set with normal fitting for a confirmed eligible standard iron-disc application. Both discs and associated hardware must pass assessment first.
Sensors, discs, extra hardware and fault diagnosis are excluded. PCCB, track compounds and GT4 fitment require a separate quote. Genuine pads have a different price range.
Compare brake parts and pricesThe published straightforward petrol-model range is a starting budget only where routine access is confirmed. Includes six correct plugs, routine fitting and basic post-fitting checks.
Additional Cayman access labour may move the total outside this range. Coils, misfire investigation, damaged threads and specialist GT4 work are separate.
Confirm plug replacement inclusionsClutch, flywheel, Tiptronic and PDK repairs need a fault-specific quotation. A fluid service is not a promise to cure slipping or a mechanical fault. Ask whether the proposed work is servicing, component repair, an assessed rebuilt assembly or replacement, and why it suits the findings.
This page covers the 987 and 981 Cayman, including the 981 GT4. The turbocharged and 4.0 litre 718 Cayman from 2016 on, with the 718 GT4 and GT4 RS, has its own page, and the open top sister car lives on our Boxster page.
Owner of a Boxster instead? The Porsche Boxster repair page covers the 986, 987 and 981 roadster, including roof and drain work that a Cayman does not need.
Porsche unveiled the Cayman S at Frankfurt in 2005 and added the base Cayman in 2006. For the 2009 model year the car was revised, and that revision decides most of what a workshop looks for today.
Only the 987.1 Cayman, built for the 2006 to 2008 model years, uses the intermediate shaft design. LN Engineering identifies the larger bearing on original 2006 to 2008 engines. It cannot be replaced through the usual external retrofit procedure and requires engine disassembly. The 987.2 and every 981 use a newer engine family with no IMS bearing at all.
So on a 987.1 we start with evidence rather than a sale. That means an oil filter inspection for debris, a borescope look at the cylinder walls, and a check of the rear main seal area when the gearbox is out for a clutch.
Model year and build date can differ, so we confirm by chassis number and engine number before any IMS advice.
Confirm the fitted engine and any replacement history. A gearbox removal for clutch work does not make the larger bearing externally replaceable. A clean oil filter does not guarantee bearing health, and a borescope assesses cylinder walls rather than the bearing.
Follow any dashboard stop instruction and the owner’s manual. If the car overheats, loses oil pressure, has a serious braking problem or cannot transmit drive reliably, stop safely and arrange assistance. Do not keep testing the fault in traffic. Share the exact warning and whether it appears cold, hot or under load.
Call about your Cayman warningPower figures are the published launch values. A car that has been modified or imported may differ, which is one more reason we read the chassis number first.
| Model | Years | Engine | Gearboxes | IMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayman 987.1 | 2006 to 2008 | 2.7 flat six, about 245 PS | 5 speed manual, optional 6 speed manual with Sport package, or 5 speed Tiptronic S | Yes |
| Cayman S 987.1 | 2006 to 2008 | 3.4 flat six, 295 PS | 6 speed manual, 5 speed Tiptronic S | Yes |
| Cayman 987.2 | 2009 to 2012 | 2.9 flat six, about 265 PS | 6 speed manual, 7 speed PDK | No |
| Cayman S 987.2 | 2009 to 2012 | 3.4 direct injection, about 320 PS | 6 speed manual, 7 speed PDK | No |
| Cayman R | 2011 to 2012 | 3.4 direct injection, 330 PS | 6 speed manual, 7 speed PDK | No |
| Cayman 981 | 2013 to 2016 | 2.7 flat six, 275 PS | 6 speed manual, 7 speed PDK | No |
| Cayman S 981 | 2013 to 2016 | 3.4 flat six, 325 PS | 6 speed manual, 7 speed PDK | No |
| Cayman GTS 981 | 2015 to 2016 | 3.4 flat six, 340 PS | 6 speed manual, 7 speed PDK | No |
| Cayman GT4 981 | 2015 to 2016 | 3.8 flat six, 385 PS | 6 speed manual only | No |
A Cayman gearbox complaint is diagnosed differently depending on which box is fitted. Choose the fitted gearbox to understand the first checks.
Available across the generations covered here and the only factory gearbox on the 981 GT4. Typical complaints are a clutch that bites high, judder when pulling away, a heavy pedal or a crunch into one gear.
A torque converter automatic, only on the 987.1. Complaints are usually slow or harsh shifts, slipping when warm or fault messages after a hot drive.
The dual clutch box on the 987.2 and 981. Porsche first fitted PDK in 2008. Complaints are jerky low speed creep, delayed engagement or a transmission warning.
Deeper gearbox work is handled with our Porsche transmission repair team, using the same mid engine lift setup.
Launched in 2015, the GT4 uses a 3.8 litre flat six that Porsche described as derived from the 911 Carrera S engine, with 385 PS. It came only with a six speed manual on dynamic gearbox mounts, sits lower than a standard Cayman and shares many chassis parts with the 911 GT3.
Cayman brakes vary by model and options, from standard cast iron discs to the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake, known as PCCB. We measure, photograph and confirm the system before ordering a single part.
Fitted to most 987 and 981 cars. We measure disc thickness and lip, check pad depth and wear sensors, and look for heat cracks after hard use.
An optional extra on the GT4 and offered on other models. Ceramic discs are inspected and handled differently, and replacement parts are quoted by chassis number.
A soft or long pedal points at fluid condition, air or a caliper issue. Fluid is replaced to the Porsche interval or sooner for cars used on track.
Full pad, disc and caliper details are on our Porsche brake repair page.
The 981 brought a new body, a longer wheelbase and electric power steering. Without an IMS bearing, attention moves to the parts that age with heat and mileage.
The Cayman cools its mid mounted engine with radiators in the front corners. Sand and leaves collect in front of them, so we check airflow, coolant level and hoses and refer to our radiator replacement page when parts are needed.
Porsche bulletin 1602 explains that assembly lubricant can resemble a bushing leak. We clean and identify the source, exclude fluid from nearby dampers and check movement or noise before recommending control arm work if it is needed.
Oil on the underside can come from several seals. We clean, trace and photograph before any oil leak repair.
Misfires on a flat six are traced cylinder by cylinder. Our spark plug replacement page explains access on mid engine cars.
Steering, PDK, PSM and engine warnings are read with a Porsche capable tester, and the stored data is explained before any parts are suggested. See computer diagnostics for how we work.
The engine sits behind the seats and ahead of the rear axle. From the rear hatch you can reach the oil and coolant filler points, but access varies by operation through service panels, wheel areas or underneath. Clutch work requires gearbox removal, while larger IMS bearing replacement requires engine disassembly.
This is why our quotes show labour hours line by line, and why combining jobs that share access, such as a clutch and a rear main seal, can save real money.
Porsche sets intervals by time and distance, and the exact list depends on the generation and the service booklet. We follow the interval for your chassis number and show every item on the quote.
| Work | 987.1 | 987.2 | 981 | 981 GT4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter | When due | When due | When due | When due |
| Plugs, filters and brake fluid | By service record | By service record | By service record | By service record |
| Auxiliary belt inspection | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable |
| Additional IMS-related assessment | If justified | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Tiptronic fluid work | If fitted and due | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| PDK fluid work | Not applicable | If fitted and due | If fitted and due | Not applicable |
| Radiator debris inspection | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable |
Oil grade and capacity are on our Porsche oil change page, and the full visit is described on Porsche service.
A mid mounted engine sits close to the cabin and the rear boot. Summer traffic pushes cooling, hoses and the PDK harder, so warnings deserve a quick check.
Front corner radiators trap sand and leaves, which lowers cooling and air conditioning performance over time.
Many Caymans here do short runs between home, office and mall. Repeated short journeys can leave oil below normal operating temperature. Check both the time and distance limits in the correct maintenance record.
Hatch seals, door seals and dashboard trim age faster in strong sun. Our upholstery and leather seat teams handle cabin wear.
A tidy 987 or 981 Cayman can still hide expensive history. Our pre purchase inspection covers these points with a written report for the buyer.
The 982-generation 718 Cayman was introduced in 2016 and sold as a 2017 model in some markets. Registration year, build date and model year can differ. Confirm the VIN and fitted engine when booking.
Go to our Porsche 718 repair page for the 982 Cayman, Boxster, GT4 and GT4 RS.
Open the 718 pageThese details help us plan the first checks and explain the visit. A message or photograph alone cannot confirm the failed part.
The 987 Cayman includes the original 987.1 and the revised 987.2 from model year 2009. The 981 launched in 2013, followed by the 718 Cayman in 2016. Some markets use the following model year. Send the VIN and registration year so we can confirm the generation.
No. Only the 987.1 Cayman from the 2006 to 2008 model years has an IMS bearing. The 987.2, the 981 and the 718 use engines without one.
Yes. We read PDK data with a Porsche capable tester, carry out the specified fluid service and run adaptations only when the repair procedure requires them.
Yes. We service and repair the 981 GT4, including clutch, brakes and suspension checks. The 718 GT4 and GT4 RS are covered on our 718 page.
PCCB discs look different from cast iron and are listed on the build data for the chassis number. We confirm the system before quoting any brake parts.
Our Porsche workshop oil and filter guide is AED 650 to 1,600 including 5% VAT. The final Cayman quote depends on engine and oil allowance. Other scheduled items and repairs are itemised separately.
Labour depends on the operation and access through service panels, wheel areas or underneath. Clutch work requires gearbox removal, while some major engine jobs require more dismantling. The quote identifies access work and avoids charging twice for shared removal.
They share engines and much of the chassis within each generation. The Cayman has a fixed roof and rear hatch, so Boxster folding-roof repairs do not apply. Cayman water leaks still need their own seal and drainage checks.
A scan result is a starting point. Ask which inspection, measurement or test supports the recommended repair and which uncertainty remains.
Keep the fault description, relevant codes, photographs or measurements and the proposed work together. The quotation should identify genuine Porsche or compatible supplier parts by brand and reference. Discuss rebuilt assemblies separately.
Confirm the assessment fee, labour, fluids, parts and VAT total. Further dismantling needs approval. Ask for parts availability and an estimated completion window after assessment, including cooling, bleeding, road testing or required adaptations.
Keep the invoice and completed checks. Request the applicable parts and workmanship coverage, time or mileage limit, exclusions and claim process before approval. Wear, track use and unrelated faults must not be assumed covered.
These sources explain vehicle differences and diagnostic limitations. They do not certify the workshop or establish that a particular repair has been completed.
Call or send your chassis number on WhatsApp. We will confirm the generation, explain what the first tests are and agree an appointment subject to availability. An enquiry is not a confirmed booking.
Porsche Repair Dubai is an independent workshop. We are not affiliated with, authorised by or connected to Porsche AG or its official dealers. Porsche, Cayman, Boxster, PDK and PCCB are used only to describe the cars we work on.
