replace your spark plugs

[porschegeorg]

I just replaced the spark plugs this weekend. I thought it would be more difficult than it was. For anyone who changes their own oil, changing your spark plugs is not a bad do-it-yourself task.

Tools: 5mm hex socket (or allen wrench), 8 inch socket extension, 10mm socket, spark plug socket.

Here is what I did:

1) remove the rear wheels
2) remove the wheel well cover (use a 10mm socket on the 2 nuts). I found it easier to reach the plug closest to the front of the car with the cover removed.
3) there are 3 plugs on each side of the engine. you can see the 3 coil packs with the rear wheels off of the car. remove the wire clip from the coil packs by pinching (with your fingers) the clip about an inch from where it attaches to the coil pack. there are 2 5mm hex screws that hold the coil pack to the engine. remove the 2 scews and pull the coil packs from the plug.
4) put the 8 inch extension and plug socket into the plug hole and fit it onto the spark plug. fit the socket wrench to the extension. (i found it easier to keep the socket wrench off of the extension and socket until i had them placed on the plugs). remove the spark plug.
5) put in the new plug in, attach the coil pack (be careful to keep the coil pack wire away from the coil pack itself when you are screwing it back on. (i managed to pinch one of my coil wires behind the coil pack when i was screwing it back on).
6) replace the wheel well cover

I also had to remove a clip (I think i was to an O2 sensor) in order to get to the 5mm hex screws for the plug closest to the front of the car.

All in all it took me a couple of hours to replace the 6 plugs, but I'm also not a mechanic by any means.

I used the original Beru plugs for the replacements.

Porschegeorg, good job...but why did you replace them so soon?

[FrayAdjacent]

You might add:

Put a little anti-seize on the new plug's threads to keep them from getting stuck.


Doesn't sound very complicated, maybe a couple hours worth of work? Might pull mine just to see what they look like - make sure it's not running poorly since I got that P1129 code a couple weeks ago. I also need to remove and clean the MAF soon, too.

[porschegeorg]

Bill....I know I only have 4900mi on the car, but I couldnt stand the idea of having the same plugs in my car for more than 3 years. I get neurotic about stuff like that

Originally Posted by porschegeorg

Bill....I know I only have 4900mi on the car, but I couldnt stand the idea of having the same plugs in my car for more than 3 years. I get neurotic about stuff like that

How many times did you wash your hands when completed?

[UroTrash]

Did you use torque wrench? If so, did you adjust torque with the anti-seize compound? Thanks!