Is everyone changing plugs every 10k?
 

How often do you change your plugs?
How about the ignition coils?

Your going to get a ton of different opinions on both those Items.

I don't change coils unless there is an issue with them.
Such as misfires or cracks in the housing or other defects.
Something that affects their ability to work as they should.

Plugs more or less the same:
Modern day plugs last many miles.
You can pull them and check them on what ever schedule you think is effective.

But something to keep in mind:
If you pull your plugs and replace them you want to replace the "crush washer" on them.
That washer is designed to seal the plug to the head. They are a "one time use" washer.
If you reuse them over several plug changes you risk minor compression leaks that in most cases you cannot detect.
I don't know about other people but I have a very hard time finding those crush washers.

So if my engine is running right I leave things like plugs and coils alone.
I hook up my vacuum gauge, and scanner once or twice a year.
I also watch things like fuel mileage and just the way the car performs and feels.
By doing those things I know if I need to look at my plugs and or coils.

Check…
 

….the owner’s manual.

Written by the folks who built your car.

Ignition coils either work or don’t, so I won’t replace them unless they fail, throw codes, etc. I do check plugs and replace them just about every 10K miles. When you take time to remove them, why not put new ones in, they are cheap enough.

That's a very good point.
However, aren't most of us follow more frequent maintenance schedule? Like oil change? ;)

Never replace mine....usually dont have them long enough to put 10k miles on them. Only do about 5k miles per year anyway

:)
All the answers are not in, but I vote this to be the BEST answer!! :):):):)

Hi blue62,
Don't you get one crush washer with a new plug?

My 98' (5 speed w/91,000 miles) runs very well. I drive about 4,000 to 5,000 SUMMER miles a year and typically get about 27-28 mpg in mostly city and some expressway driving. In the 16 years I've owned the car I've never had a "tune-up" done.

Even though the car appears to run great, my "indi" recommends that i should have a tune up done....he suggests ALL plugs, ALL coils, replace Serpentine belt, Fuel filter and Air filter (I did change the air filter 2 years (8.000 miles ago).....$1,300.

Since the car is running "great" (in my opinion) and there are no thrown codes should I go ahead and get a tune-up or just continue to have fun and drive it and monitor it?

Uh.....do it yourself and save $900

or drive down to St. Louis and I'll do it for half that savings and be done in a couple of hours.

That's great! :cheers:

Stl-986,

Is that offer valid for NJ residences too? :)

Yes that is correct. It is on the plug.
What I was referring to is:
If you pull the plugs to check them as part of your maintenance schedule.
Then replace them (because they look fine). You need a new crush washer.

In days gone-by: You pulled your plugs, cleaned and gaped them every time you dressed and gaped your points and set your dwell.
(about every 30000-35000 miles)
So you replaced the crush washers every time you cleaned gaped and reused your plugs.
Back then the washers were very easy to come by. I would have 20-30 in the tool box.
Not easy to find them now days.

I have a schedule for all maintenance items on my cars.
But I also let the car tell me what it needs.
Example:
I have oil changes on a 5000 mile schedule.
But if the oil is discolored or dirty when I check it with only 2000 miles on it I change it.

Sure, bring it here.

Perhaps there is a business opportunity there - sell crush washers on Amazon. :)

How are you checking the oil discoloration? There is not much oil on the dip stick. From the filter housing maybe?

Thanks for the offer! :cheers:
I have never been to STL. Is the Arch in operation?

Yup so is 6 Flags and the Zoo (largest free zoo and one of the best in the country)

From the dipstick.
The Porsche is a little difficult to see on the dipstick.
So just look at it or wipe it on a whiter paper towel.
Several dips and wipes if I need to.
My Honda CRV and Ford truck.
No problem to see the oil on the dipstick.

I will try that too. Thank you. :cheers:

Free... zoo... Two words I like. :):)

Mike:

The oil in the Boxster doesn't discolor much only has 57,000 miles on it.
The Honda CRV oil discolors and starts to look dark before the change it has 162,000 on it.
The Truck has 114,000 and is a 1993 with a 460Ci in it.
The oil begins to discolor rather quickly.

Each engine is different.
Each vehicle is used differently.
Each one has different needs.
That is why I let my cars tell me what they need and when they need it to keep running right.

And that is the least expensive way to do it too. The car will tell you when something isn't right. Your butt will also tell you when things dont feel right but that takes some time to get the feel for.

I see... that makes sense.
You can hear your cars telling you stuff?
Hmmm... so... you are kinda... a car whisperer? ;)

My 2001 base has 133k+ miles. The oil is usually very dark. I just changed the oil with the AOS job. I will keep a monthly record this time to see if I can see the discolor in progress. Thank you.

"Your butt will also tell you when things dont feel right..."

Now you just sound like Niki Lauda. :):)

I figure my miles per gallon with every fill-up.
I have done that for 50+ years.
If my gas mileage is down...then why is it down?????
Is it fall a or winter instead of spring or summer???
Engine takes longer to to warm up when it's colder.
so it will stay on open loop longer (rich mixture).

I don't text or talk on the phone or what ever when I am driving.
I drive my car when I am driving.;)

See, Hear, feel, smell, taste your car when you drive it.

Was wondering if someone would pick up on that or not.

My butt isn't that sensitive, but I can feel if a tire is too low or if I am feeling weird vibrations, it all comes up through the seats.

So....should I just drive it, since it seems to be running great, or should I go for the "recommended" tune up now that the car has 91,000?

I tend to be leaning towards...."if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality.

At 91,000 miles it is time for some maintenance to be done.
Everything your mechanic has suggested is a maintenance item.
Even thou the car seems to run great it is time to do some general maintenance.

You would not run on a bald tires just because they still held air.

Either take the car in and have the work done or do it yourself.

All the items you listed are simple DIY jobs and on a 91,000 mile vehicle should be done. You should also do the brake fluid if it has never been replaced as well as trans fluid, auto or manual. These are really basic things that ensure the car runs properly, shifts properly, brakes properly and will help prevent worse things from arising down the road due to neglect.

The best part of DIY, other than saving money, is you get to really learn about your car and see things you would never see if someone else does it.

I’ve done all the jobs listed and more on my car and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

One last thing, I change my oil every 3000 miles or once a year regardless of colour. Fresh oil and filter is the cheapest and nicest thing you can do to the inside of your engine.

Very true.

Doing a tiptronic fluid change is not something that is DIY unless you have a lift, temp sensor & pump to get the fluid in. It isn't just a drain & fill. It is also not meant to be designed to be changed by Porsche.

It most certainly is a DIY job. Lift (jack/stands), temp sensor ($<$30), and a pump? Those items should be in every toolbox. It is a drain and fill and, if you're swapping out the filter, not a huge deal. For/By whom was it designed to be changed? Anyhow...

I did mine last year. No big deal if perfectly, by the "book", done. That said...

My Tip failed about 1,000 miles after my fluid/filter change. Regular twisty driving and the seal blew. Had the Tip rebuilt.

Now... <80 miles after I picked it up from the shop (75 miles from my home) it failed on me 3 miles from my home. Seal blew, again.

I could suspect that it was MY fluid and filter change that contributed to the original failure... but it also failed post rebuild. So... I suspect that it wasn't anything associated with my fluid/filter swap... it was just something that was destined to happen.

All that said... in spite of the $29 and change per liter (10 liters complete fill) for the Pentosin 1 (my mechanics charge), and if I had to do it all over again... I'd just take it to the shop. I know I didn't make any mistakes when I swapped the fluid/filter... but wondering if I was just a hair short, or over, on the fluid causes me to wonder if that was the $4,200 **************** up. :cheers:

where in NJ are you? I can change your plugs for your at your house if you're close by

Hi Quadcammer,

I am in Demarest. It's about 30~40 mins from Clifton.
Thank you for the offer. However, I want to change them myself. You are always welcome to come on over and 'supervise' while drinking my beer. :):cheers:

Yes - I would for any +20 year old car (that's just me)

I only change ignition coils if needed. at 70K one of my coils had hairline crack.