spark plugs
 

How many are needed to replace in a 2000 base model boxster? Any particular kind? Any tips on changing the spark plugs?

They aren't easy to reach, I can tell you that much. Gee lets see, the car is a SIX cylinder, so I would have to guess 6 spark plugs! :p

I don't know the part # off hand for OEM plugs for your model but I do know it needs 6 of them. Somebody else here has that info. Judging from your post, I think you should take it to a good shop to have the work done.

Wait, wait, wait. This is one of those trick questions right? It couldn't possibly be THAT easy. So.... it's really 7. It is isn't it? Am I right? I'm right, right? I think I'm right....

Fab, this link should help you with spark plugs:

http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code =986plu&Category_Code=986maint

I let the dealership change mine. Cost about $350.00 I believe they use Champion Platinum. I also asked them about installing the Irridium Spark plugs, because they are suposed to be better, but they told me if they did, they would not be able to warranty the work done, because they are not O.E.M. parts. So I went with what they normally used. :cheers:

Quote:


"They aren't easy to reach, I can tell you that much. Gee lets see, the car is a SIX cylinder, so I would have to guess 6 spark plugs! "

Originally Posted by porsche986spyder


That's not as silly a question as you two make it out to be. For a long time, the boxer engine used 12 plugs!

Throw away your platinums, and never buy iridiums for your boxster. All bad stuff, I lost the part number for the correct copper bosch plug... I gave the number to afew people here... maybe they can come forward with that number.

I'm planning on changing the plugs when I get my car ready for spring. I want to use the OEM Beru plugs....does anyone know if they come pre-gapped? I hate
gapping plugs.

Even if they come pre-gapped, you should still check them for accuracy. They can easily come out-of-spec during shipping and handeling.

Fair enough. Some Carreras without direct ignition used 12. But come on - while it may have been a legitimate question - It was also too hard to pass up on the humor side....

AFAIK, no flat six engines in any Porsche available for sale had twin plugs. (that is, 2 per cylinder).

HOWEVER, Porsche Racing used twin plugged cars, and it's also a popular modification on Porsche engines for track/racing cars.


That being said, yes, the SIX CYLINDER Boxster uses SIX plugs.

No, they were in production for a LONG time with 2 plug heads. I'm not sure what year it started, but it went all the way to the 993.

http://p-car.com/diy/sparkplug/

you paid somebody 350 to change your sparkplugs?! spark plugs are like what $30 bux total or so, and u can easily change them yourself.

funny, my GFs battery went bad today, she called dealer to see how much for a new one, they said $550 installed. they said they can even come to her house and change it for her but that wold cost another 200 bux, even though shes like 20 mins fromt he dealership, lol

all this dealer nonsense is pissing me off, taking advantage of people like that

964 and 993 motors had twin plug engines - 12 plugs.

Many folks modify Aircooled Porsche 6-cyl motors to be twin plug designs.


Your boxster only needs 6 plugs. If you are adventurous and want to save some money and learn a new skill, replace them yourself. If not, a dealer will be happy to help you out.

Ahh yes, it was BOSCH. That's what the dealership uses. I was guessing on the brand. :cheers:

I believe that guy who said that the "BOXTER" once used 12 spark plugs was talking about the original inventor, from wich the BOXTER engine was named and designed after. NOT the Porsche BOXSTER! So he is probably right. :dance:

I've never heard of a "BOXTER" motor.. I have heard of a Boxster motor and a "BOXER" motor ;)

Actually I looked at my bill and it was $250.00. If you can tell me how I can change the plugs without the service manual, by all means please do explain. I know it involves removing the intake manifold and all that other crap that is on top of it. When I installed my True-Flow intake I noticed the spark plugs were not in plain view where I could change them easily. I need one of those Bentley manuals for our Boxsters. :cheers:

Yep your right. My bad. BOXER is the correct spelling. :o

Plugs are changed from the BOTTOM of the car. I read it in my Bentley manual. Also, a poster out here (forget his name) has a nice FAQ/Maintenance guide on a website with pictures, tool requirements and time estimates..

That sounds worth finding again. If anyone can tell me which tread it was posted in, just let me know.

my car needs plugs pronto! wish my old mechanic was still at my disposal. The guy won't touch a Porsche. Too bad he's the only 100% honest businessman I've ever dealt with when it came to cars.

1)Stay out of trouble and only use stock plugs. This will guarantee true compatability and will come pre-gapped.

2)Double check the gapping of the plugs. Although I have never had one off...by much...I can only imagine its possible.\

3)Jack up side of car, remove rear wheel, remove wheel liner and TADA!!! 3 plugs staring at you. You will need to contort a bit to get the tools in there but it is NOT difficult and you do not do this from the top of the motor access.

--This is a very easy DIY. Give it a try and once you do plug #1 you wil fly through the other 5!

Good luck! :cheers:

WOW, that does sound easy. I've changed plugs before on my old car. I'm still going to buy the Bently Manual first. But it does sound like I can do it myself. Thanks! :cheers:

Boxster 2.7 and 3.2 "S"
 

Question, do the type "S" model 3.2 ltr. and the 2.7 ltr. use the same exact spark plugs? It seems that since the 3.2 has more power that it may run a colder spark plug. Anyone know? And if this is true, would I benifit more by using a colder runnig spark plug on my regular boxster 2.7 that is modified with bolt-on performance parts and a reprogramed ECU/CPU? :confused:

Hi,

Agree. Access is easy, especially from underneath (disclaimer - use proper stands, etc.). I changed mine b4 storage last fall and it took about 15 min. I think it's easier from underneath than from the side through the wheel well. Had no clearance issues at all. Be sure to use the proper torque so you index the plugs properly. Good Luck!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Hi,

Twin Plug designs are not new or terribly radical. It sprung from early aircraft engines. Ferrari, Masserati, BMW, Aston Martin, and especially Alpha Romeo (in addition to Porsche) have been using Twin Plug designs for years.

Btw, the Boxer engine is not named after the inventor (Karl Benz, 1896). Properly known as a horizontally opposed engine, in which the corresponding pistons reach TDC simultaneously, thus balancing each other with respect to momentum. Original horizontally opposed engines were 4-cylinder and so the engine acquired the nickname Boxer because the reciprocating pistons resemble a Boxer throwing a combination punch. Fyi...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Thanks for the trivia! :cheers: Now can anyone answer my question about the differences in the "s" type plugs and the regular 2.7?? Please look at my earlier post. Also, is there a better spark plug wire I can get? Magnacore? MSD? Anyone? Might as well change those while I'm at it. :cheers:

Hi,

The OEM Sparkplug specs are:

• 2.7L - Bosch FGR 6KQC
  3.2L - Bosch FGR 7KQC
  - Beru 14 FGR 6 KQU
  - Beru 14 FGR 7 KQU

Torque spec is: 30 + 3 Nm (22+2 Ft. Lbs.)

Your car doesn't have spark plug wires in the traditional sense. It uses a Coil-on-Plug and so there's no advantage to using a different wire, such as you mention, nor am I aware of any aftermarket ones even being available. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Just to add a bit here...

The plugs are very easy to change, but as others have mentioned it does require having a good selection of extentions and good dexterity to reach the front plug on each side. I did the entire job in about an hour.

I did go with the Iridium plugs because I've had good experience with them on previous cars where the plugs are hard to get to. I didn't install them as a performance upgrade. I installed them as a "less maintenance" upgrade. Have not had any problems in the 10,000 miles they've been installed.

It is generally best to stick with OEM parts.

John

Thanks for the info, but what about this. It seems that since the 3.2 has more power that it may run a colder spark plug. Anyone know? And if this is true, would I benifit more by using a colder runnig spark plug on my regular boxster 2.7 that is modified with bolt-on performance parts and a reprogramed ECU/CPU?

Hi,

You don't need to run an unmodified car with anything but the OEM Heat Range Specs. Even with a modified car, again stick with the OEM Heat Range. The Heat Range has been thoroughly investigated by Porsche, don't change it on a whim, change it when your plugs tell you to.

A White-tipped or gray electrode indicate the plug is running too hot, meaning that you could be detonating. Too cold a plug, and you'll reduce the plug's lifespan due to fouling. A nice even Tobacco Brown colored tip indicates a proper operating temp.

A spark plug in general will not make more power, and it's one area where more is definitely not better than adequate. Many people don't understand that the difference in Heat Ranges represents the plugs ability to extract heat from the combustion chamber (by generally 70-100°C/increment - though no actual universal standard exists), not the value of the spark it makes. And, because of the lack of a universal standard by Plug manufacturers, one company's #7 plug can yield a completely different Combustion Chamber temp than another. In fact, some companies, like NGK for example, have their indeces reversed - the plugs get hotter as the numbers decline.

Pull your old plugs and see what they're telling you. The Heat range required can be different for all people depending upon your area's avg. temps, the quality of your fuel, your driving habits and driving style. The plugs will tell you what to do. Also, stick with OEM. The Head is tapped with a thread pitch and length to optimize the OEM plug with respect to depth and indexing, another plug may not work as well for these reasons...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Ok i found the spark plug part numbers... Its Bosch Copper Sparkplug 7402. Order them at Napa, They probably wont have them instock but 4-6 bucks a plug is alot better than dealer price of 12 a plug. I have them and the torque curve is much smoother, Idle is better too.

Thanks again! :cheers:

Did a 2003 boxster S come with Bosch or Beru plugs? Also, I don't have nearly 60k miles on my car. It's around a 1/3rd of that but it's been almost 4 yrs. Could the plugs possibly weld themselves into the cylinder heads if I don't change them soon?
I Noticed Pelican is selling the colder plug 14 FGR 6 KQU for both the base and S models?? http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/996M/POR_996M_BAStun_pg1.htm

It looks like they are selling the S guys the wrong plug?
Part Diagram Locations for: 99917020791
Model Main Diagram Description
Boxster 986 (1997-2004) Ignition System Spark plug, 14FGR 6KQU
996 (1999-2005) Ignition System Spark plug, 14FGR 6KQU

The part numbers you listed is Beru for the plug used on the 2.7 and 3.2 986.

The 2.5 1997-1999 uses a different plug. The Beru part number is 14 FR 7 LDU.

So they are selling the 2.5 owners the wrong plug.

Jim posted this below
2.7L - Bosch FGR 6KQC
3.2L - Bosch FGR 7KQC
- Beru 14 FGR 6 KQU
- Beru 14 FGR 7 KQU

It looks like the 2.7L and the 3.2L use different plugs?

No, that is part of the Bently shop manual errors. Page 03-30.

2.7 and 3.2 use the same heat range plug. 6. Bentley has a 7 listed for the 2.7. But for the 3.2 it has listed 6 and 7. The strange thing is for the 3.2 it shows the Beru plug with 2 different heat ranges - figure that one out.

I see that in my Bently. Thanks :) I think I know the answer to this, but is it a good idea to change the plugs every 4 years regardless of mileage?