First Boxster, good and bad ... your thoughts?

[theiceman]

what plugs are those .? have the exact number ? im looking to replace mine but tough getting recommendations on which ones to use

I also have a 2001 Boxster S . 170K km on it . I am just replacing the variocam pads and updating the tensioners.
.

mine also had the rear engine skid plate missing and even had a patch on one of the cats so definitely some off road activity.
When i got the new skid plate ( 80.00 used ) i noticed the holes didn't line up on the studs to mount it . Someone on here told me that this was not all that unusual and told me how to fix it ( a ratchet straff and loosen and retighten the crossmember. Obviously this needs to be done before alignment.

ironically I have a seal grey too.... lol. with all the same issues.

[los36]

Originally Posted by theiceman

what plugs are those .? have the exact number ? im looking to replace mine but tough getting recommendations on which ones to use

I also have a 2001 Boxster S . 170K km on it . I am just replacing the variocam pads and updating the tensioners.
.

mine also had the rear engine skid plate missing and even had a patch on one of the cats so definitely some off road activity.
When i got the new skid plate ( 80.00 used ) i noticed the holes didn't line up on the studs to mount it . Someone on here told me that this was not all that unusual and told me how to fix it ( a ratchet straff and loosen and retighten the crossmember. Obviously this needs to be done before alignment.

Looks like a big job. Not sure when my time will come...
For spark plugs, I used Bosch FGR-6-KQE.
NGK alternative is BKR6EKUB. Beru alternative is FGR-6-KQU. Of course, you can pay 5x more for Porsche genuine plugs (which looks strikingly similar to the NGK which happens to be cheaper than the Bosch).
I will note that I did some light Googling on Bosch vs NGK today. On a BMW forum, there were several stories of Bosch plugs loosening on their own. I can definitely say the Bosch plugs that I removed were very loose. I think I may have gone NGK given what I know now.

[theiceman]

Originally Posted by los36

Looks like a big job. Not sure when my time will come...
For spark plugs, I used Bosch FGR-6-KQE.
NGK alternative is BKR6EKUB. Beru alternative is FGR-6-KQU. Of course, you can pay 5x more for Porsche genuine plugs (which looks strikingly similar to the NGK which happens to be cheaper than the Bosch).
I will note that I did some light Googling on Bosch vs NGK today. On a BMW forum, there were several stories of Bosch plugs loosening on their own. I can definitely say the Bosch plugs that I removed were very loose. I think I may have gone NGK given what I know now.

excellent info thanks .... strangely enough while doing this job i found the plugs shockingly loose. i think they were Bosch but i will double check.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by theiceman

excellent info thanks .... strangely enough while doing this job i found the plugs shockingly loose. i think they were Bosch but i will double check.

If the plugs were loose, is Not because they were Bosch brand..
it was because the person that got them installed didn't torque them down properly..

[theiceman]

Originally Posted by Gilles

If the plugs were loose, is Not because they were Bosch brand..
it was because the person that got them installed didn't torque them down properly..

agreed... just going to retighten for now ... if car warrants it . i will replace plugs and coils down the road..

[theiceman]

I also read that new plugs and reused plugs are to be tightened to different values. If eusing plug you tighten to 18.5 foot lbs vs new at 22. , problem is i have read so much recently i cant remember where i saw it .

Can anyone confirm? when i did the valve covers i went to check a plug and it was barely finger tight but looked in great shape so just want to re tighten.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by theiceman

I also read that new plugs and reused plugs are to be tightened to different values. If eusing plug you tighten to 18.5 foot lbs vs new at 22. , problem is i have read so much recently i cant remember where i saw it .

Can anyone confirm? when i did the valve covers i went to check a plug and it was barely finger tight but looked in great shape so just want to re tighten.

Correct.
One of my cars recently had one plug that was squeaking on start up, but otherwise ran fine. When I checked, #2 plug was barely finger tight. I use anti-seize on the plugs and I expect that if the torque is a little low when they are installed, they will loosen over time.

The Factory Manual (updated as of 2004) pg 03--1.6 says 30 Nm/22 Ftlb new and 25 Nm/18.5 Ftlb used.