Is it possible to physically lift the rear spoiler with your hands. If so how much pressure does it take. My spoiler is not working and I am trying to inspect it but it seems to take an enormous amount of pull to lift it just one inch and then it slams back down. Is this the hydraulics? Any help appreciated.

 

Working on the spoiler is a PITA.

You need a spoiler spanner, metric wrenches and torx drivers, and Pentosin CHF11S, and a 12 volt source.

There is nothing to see under the spoiler. It is attached to the hydraulic system via two cylenders differently from the 996TT...they are screw in type requiring a spanner to disconnect.

If your wing is not going up or down, and you are not getting a warning light, then:

1. you have one or both cylendars failing.

2. you have a leak in the hydraulics.

3. you have a failed pump.

4. you have an undetected electronic failure.

Working on the spoiler requires you to lift it upwards. There is a device from Porsche that looks like a rubber tube that is inserted then inflated to pull the wing upward. It takes some force. But I can tell you there is nothing to see from under the wing...the failure is in the hydraulic system. It is under the read decklid.

To access the hydraulic system, you need to remove the fan and intake ducts. To remove any component of the hydraulics, you will leak Pentosin, requiring you to bleed the system. Go to your dealer. The hydraulics are a PITA unless you've done it before. If you still want to do it yourself, PM me...I have the 997TT factory instructions for this.

 

Appreciate the help. I am getting a failure light, if that helps narrow it down. I also can hear the motor running when I hit the up/down rocker switch. Interestingly most of my driving does not involve raising the spoiler. Also there is no sign of hydraulic leak.

 

A warning light suggests your harness is fine, connection to the pump is fine. If you pull the dome like plastic caps off each cylender, check to see if you have drops of oil in each cap.

If that is okay, put a dry towel over your engine bay, and close the hatch over night...see if you have dripping that you can spot on the towel.

Regardless, I'd go to the dealer. Trust me...from experience, the spoiler hydraulics are a PITA. It is supposed to be more reliable than the 996 system...but unfortunately, it can still have problems.