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Old 09-10-2014, 07:23 PM   #1
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Spark Plugs at 28K Miles

OK so my 2008 Boxster S only has 28,000 miles. I don't ever have time to drive it.

It's been on a battery trickle for the last 9 months. OF course I understand you have to change all the fluids, I can see it breaking down after not driving the car. But should I change the spark plugs???

The guy at the Porsche dealer in Fremont says I need to follow their 6 year major maintenance schedule and replace the spark plugs?

Should I wait to 100K or really do it at 28K miles?

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Old 09-10-2014, 11:30 PM   #2
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Same puzzle here.Bought my 2000 2 yrs ago with 60,000 miles and no spark plug change history available so I had my indy change them at 70,000 miles last week.

Plugs should not be affected by time as the hydraulic fluids etc IMO.

I have heard that the relatively short Porsche suggested interval is based on the fact that they could be difficult to remove without causing some stripping in the softer aluminum head if they remained in place a long time.

Modern ignitions are so clean and powerful that my plugs looked great when I examined them.

I only put about 5,000 a year on mine.I'm not afraid of the time element, so it will be very many years before my next change!
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Old 09-11-2014, 06:19 AM   #3
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Per the maintenance schedule, spark plugs are changed at 60k
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Old 09-11-2014, 08:21 AM   #4
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m97 engine on trickle charger for 9 months...hmmm. You should make a habit of driving it at least on short trips more often. Things can dry out and you want to burn off that build up, for this you want to drive it long enough for the oil to come up to temp. I think that seems like a bigger issue than your spark plugs. To protect these engines you have to drive them at least once in a while.

spark plugs are cheap. Why not.
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Old 09-11-2014, 12:25 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by JayG View Post
Per the maintenance schedule, spark plugs are changed at 60k
Who knows what the number is for a 2008?
This is a 986 forum.
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Old 09-11-2014, 04:43 PM   #6
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m97 engine on trickle charger for 9 months...hmmm. You should make a habit of driving it at least on short trips more often. Things can dry out and you want to burn off that build up, for this you want to drive it long enough for the oil to come up to temp. I think that seems like a bigger issue than your spark plugs. To protect these engines you have to drive them at least once in a while.

spark plugs are cheap. Why not.
Not the labor. They wanted 1200 at the dealership.
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Old 09-11-2014, 04:52 PM   #7
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If you have ever changed plugs in another car and can find a torque wrench to use, you can change your own plugs.
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Old 09-11-2014, 05:11 PM   #8
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spark plugs are cheap. Why not.
Not the ones with the Porshe enblem on the box! But yeah its more a of labor job. Its a doable diy but be prepared to contort! Did mine at 40k.
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Old 09-11-2014, 06:05 PM   #9
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Official Maintenance schedule

Maintenance Intervals - Porsche Service - Service & Accessories - Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

however the maintenance book is different from the schedule

Go figure!!

amazing what you can find by looking a bit
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Old 09-11-2014, 08:04 PM   #10
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Oooo, let's have the anti-seize paste and its effect on torque values debate again, just to help pass the day....
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Old 09-11-2014, 10:59 PM   #11
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Oooo, let's have the anti-seize paste and its effect on torque values debate again, just to help pass the day....
You took the words right out of my typing finger(s)....

To lube, or not to lube, I'm sure the OP will wonder at all this ribaldry!!
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Old 09-14-2014, 06:08 PM   #12
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You took the words right out of my typing finger(s)....

To lube, or not to lube, I'm sure the OP will wonder at all this ribaldry!!
I ended up just paying for the spark plug change. The service adviser scared me off and told me the difference in metals could make it hard to remove the spark plug later after 6 years...

I spent the next 2 hours test driving a new Boxster with the PDK transmission. I have to say I love the transmission though.
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Old 09-14-2014, 06:23 PM   #13
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Not the labor. They wanted 1200 at the dealership.
Some people have too much money.
They should give me some. I do a great $600 car wash.

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