944S2cab
Member
Having just changed the 16 spark plugs I can offer a few tips for anyone contemplating this job.
1. Shop around. I obtained 16 Bosch spark plugs for £80 from Eurocarparts on ebay.
2. Allow plenty of time for the job. You do not want to be cross-threading a spark plug by rushing. It took me over half a day.
3. Don't try and do the job with the coil packs in situ. You need as much working space as possible. They are held by a single screw. Move them out of the way. When refitting, the upper plug lead goes to the plug in front.
4. I dropped 2 spark plug sockets, an extension bar, 2 coil screws and a magnetic retrieval tool into the engine bay and I could not see them from above. Either put an old bed sheet or similar between the engine block and the inner wing, or remove the 2 engine undertrays to allow things to fall onto the floor and be picked up.
5. The metal plug lead caps were well and truly stuck on the spark plugs. I tried a number of tools to remove them. I had to resort to a large pair of water pump pliers to move them.
6. Access is the big problem. I could not see most of the spark plugs and had to work by feel. A small inspection mirror will be useful with a small powerful torch. A decent socket set is a must, and one or more palm-spinning ratchets will be helpful in tight spots. Use a 5mm length of slack-fitting hose on the plugs to get them started; this will prevent you cross-threading the plug when you can't see what you are doing.
Good luck!
1. Shop around. I obtained 16 Bosch spark plugs for £80 from Eurocarparts on ebay.
2. Allow plenty of time for the job. You do not want to be cross-threading a spark plug by rushing. It took me over half a day.
3. Don't try and do the job with the coil packs in situ. You need as much working space as possible. They are held by a single screw. Move them out of the way. When refitting, the upper plug lead goes to the plug in front.
4. I dropped 2 spark plug sockets, an extension bar, 2 coil screws and a magnetic retrieval tool into the engine bay and I could not see them from above. Either put an old bed sheet or similar between the engine block and the inner wing, or remove the 2 engine undertrays to allow things to fall onto the floor and be picked up.
5. The metal plug lead caps were well and truly stuck on the spark plugs. I tried a number of tools to remove them. I had to resort to a large pair of water pump pliers to move them.
6. Access is the big problem. I could not see most of the spark plugs and had to work by feel. A small inspection mirror will be useful with a small powerful torch. A decent socket set is a must, and one or more palm-spinning ratchets will be helpful in tight spots. Use a 5mm length of slack-fitting hose on the plugs to get them started; this will prevent you cross-threading the plug when you can't see what you are doing.
Good luck!
