Tune up (coil) question - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

piper6909 · 08-11-2019, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Do it right the 1st time with a Snap-On hex bit to remove the coil bolts. Or buy several new bolts in advance.

If you wrench for a living, Snap-on is the way to go.

But for everyone else and at a fraction of the costs, Craftsman makes great hand tools, and HF makes great impact sockets, hex bits and other specialty tools.

Rob175 · 08-12-2019, 04:47 AM

I have all the quality hand tools to do the job (including an impact driver for the wheel lugs) it's just the lifting jack and the stands I don't have......I'm assuming that the factory jack would be good enough to lift the car as long as I buy jack stands to support it once up.
Where do the jack stands get placed? Also, I'm thinking that as long as the car is "up" and if I'm doing the labor then I might as well change all of the coils.....because I have to remove them anyway.

kk2002s · 08-12-2019, 05:06 AM

Really, throw some epoxy, jb weld on the coils if their cracked.
I had 3 of 6 cracked at 90 k miles. I was getting intermittent codes, very random and they would clear. No they are not cheap but the new style has a much thicker base. Pull them and you will no right away if they need replacing.

BYprodriver · 08-14-2019, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kk2002s

Really, throw some epoxy, jb weld on the coils if their cracked.
I had 3 of 6 cracked at 90 k miles. I was getting intermittent codes, very random and they would clear. No they are not cheap but the new style has a much thicker base. Pull them and you will no right away if they need replacing.

Coils let you know when it needs to be replaced by the misfire code. (30?)

piper6909 · 08-12-2019, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob175

I have all the quality hand tools to do the job (including an impact driver for the wheel lugs) it's just the lifting jack and the stands I don't have......I'm assuming that the factory jack would be good enough to lift the car as long as I buy jack stands to support it once up.
Where do the jack stands get placed? Also, I'm thinking that as long as the car is "up" and if I'm doing the labor then I might as well change all of the coils.....because I have to remove them anyway.

Jacking the car up:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/01-BASICS-Jacking_Up/01-BASICS-Jacking_Up.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDA-qI5HsIU

The jack stands usually go where the jack points are, but if you'll be using the Porsche jack, then the jack stands can go under where the floor jacks go to lift the car. I use a piece of 2x4 between the stands and the car to protect the paint. I usually lower the car until it touches the stands. I don't release the weight off the jack entirely.

Regarding the cracked coils, if you want to spend money on new coils, that's your option. I'd just put some epoxy on them and keep driving.

If you do buy new ones, I'll take your old ones!

Rob175 · 08-14-2019, 04:32 AM

After costing out buying good jack stands Jackpoint Jack Stands ($350/pair w/tax & shipping), a cheap HF floor jack and the parts at Pelican I'd be spending about $1,100.....so, it's not worth it to me to DIY for the $300 difference of letting my mechanic do it. (he quoted $1,400 total)

kk2002s · 08-14-2019, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob175

After costing out buying good jack stands Jackpoint Jack Stands ($350/pair w/tax & shipping), a cheap HF floor jack and the parts at Pelican I'd be spending about $1,100.....so, it's not worth it to me to DIY for the $300 difference of letting my mechanic do it. (he quoted $1,400 total)

wow, slow down
All you need is
a pair of $35 jack stands (Some day you may want 2 pairs for complete off the ground
2 trolley jacks $40
1 scissor jack $40
(6) coils @$43/each
Doing plugs and tubes
My math is somewhere around $500
And you can use the lifting tools over and over.
I use the scissor to lift just enough to get my cheap trolley jacks under. Then use both Trolley jacks to lift high enough to put stand under. Then you're ready.
Sometimes getting the car up and ready can take as long as doing the actual work.

But it's your $$$ and many really don't want to deal with the DIY stuff and often I feel the same way. But I'm just to cheap. The other benefit for me to DIY is I can buy the tools I need as well and be ready for next job.

Starter986 · 08-14-2019, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob175

After costing out buying good jack stands Jackpoint Jack Stands ($350/pair w/tax & shipping)

LOL! Dude!

I sourced the ESCOs for $125 a pair shipping included.

Tailwind · 08-14-2019, 07:41 AM

Liftbars and a low-profile HF jack with HF Y-top stands (never use the rubber caps on those with Liftbars - ask me how I know).
I saved a lot of hassle raising the car doing suspension, rotors and fluids.
If you will be doing a lot of DIY, those will pay for themselves in no time

piper6909 · 08-15-2019, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tailwind

Liftbars and a low-profile HF jack with HF Y-top stands (never use the rubber caps on those with Liftbars - ask me how I know).
I saved a lot of hassle raising the car doing suspension, rotors and fluids.
If you will be doing a lot of DIY, those will pay for themselves in no time

I used a HF low profile jack with a 4' piece of 2x4 instead of lift bars to do suspension work and replace brake fluid. And 4 HF jack stands. Worked like a charm, so I probably won't buy lift bars. But if I do, why not use the rubber caps?