HI Guys...

One of the most difficult maintenance items on these bad boys is the spark plug change! And as many of you know...When we tune or otherwise mod the cars for performance, it decreases the life of the plugs/coils.

Well...Yesterday, while it was a toasty 9 degrees outside, with nothing else to to, I got all the plugs and coils changed !

I had been considering doing it for a while and already had the parts....Last time, I took it to the dealer and forked up about ~$1K! So I figured I would give it a shot.

I have read on many forums, how it is very difficult / impossible / painful / torture / etc..

While it does take some time (for me anyway), with some patience and the right tools it can be done!

So when I get additional time I will be posting a few tips I learned in the process, and maybe some pics....To help others that want to give it a try.

I used some tips I have seen on various posts, information for Porsche WS manuals, and suggestions and tips from Scott Slauson of Softronic Software!

First few big tips are these:

Remove - Airbox, Rear Wheel Apron, Rear Bumper Cover (and Tail lights), Intercoolers, and rear bumper heat shield....

Lower motor, by supporting it, and loosening the (2) motor mount nuts.

Unclip the hard boost pipes in the engine compartment (you will be able to move them more easily near the turbos)

Remove actuator motor on Passenger side

Have some wobbe extensions, ball end torx and allen tools

TURBOS AND/OR OIL LINES TO TURBOS DO NOT NEED TO BE REMOVED.


Will post more as I have time! Thought this could be a repository for Spark Plug change info....

DC

 

Looking forward to the details.....how long did it take you?

 

thanks for posting, need to get these done on mine but put off as i know its going to take a full day...

 

Well....Hard to say. And I was not hurrying, because what I have seen, is after the change... people have all sorts of issues, usually related to something other than the plugs...Like they took of the actuator rod, and did not snap it on correctly, or leaking hoses, or woring harness not connected back, etc.

I also video recorded and took pictures, so I can later make shots for how to do it...That took a lot of extra time, and I quit about 1/2 way through it.

I would say, to pick a day, when you can kill it... and plan on doing it slowly. I was not competing and stopped to eat, and sat and looked at stuff on the car...and also changed my headers etc..

I could probably get through it in 6 hours if I just focused on getting it done.....But spent about 8 and still have a few things to put back on...and made a bunch of stupid mistakes that required me to re-do things...

I DID, however, carefully torque the new plugs to 22 Ft. lbs. - Ensured they were gapped at .025 as suggested by the tuner - Ensured each coil was secure - and made sure I heard a CLICK for each coil pack connection plug!

I sure hope it starts

DC

 

Yep....I would say so....Just relax, take your time, and enjoy it! Time with the car

 

Strong work Rock!!!

 

Thanks! When I have some time.....will try to add more on how to do it here for others.....There is hope.....It is doable!

DC

 

I have heard this was possible without lowering the motor, what do you think? does lowering it make it that much easier??

 

Hi there....Yes, I think you could absolutely do it without lowering...but it does give you a precious few inches at the top of coils that are really tight. Also makes it possible to disconnect the hard plastic boost tube in the engine compartment....needed to get driver front plug out.

Also....only takes about 2 minutes to lower....so why not? :-)

Take care....

DC

PS..I attached the Engine Lowering Procedure...Very Simple...

 

Nice. Cant wait for the details also. Your attention to detail when writing helps. I'm sure that car jack you have helped save your back and knees. Did the jack get in your way at all?

 

Man you've got some ***** i wouldn't dare take that on, i'd be the guy saving up the 1k have you driven it since ? that's what i'd be afraid of ,it not running right or ending with a handful of extra nuts & bolts at the end

 

Well....The good news, is I only had one small washer left...I figured where it went (simply fell off as I was replacing one of the bolts on the actuator motor. Agreed about the residual issues possible...That is why I took my time, and torqued everything to specs and checked it all twice before re-assembling. Also took lots of photos and checked again..made notes about what I took off and reversed it.

I have not started as I am still waiting on a fuel filter bracket...unrelated to this install...Changed fuel filter and the cheap plastic clip on the bracket cracked during re-install..so I ordered another and it had to come from Germany (based on the delaer I got it from)..oh well..-12 degrees so cannot drive it anyway...Stuck with the Cayenne for now..

DC

 

Great write up and agree you are very brave. Nice work!

LOL...It would likely cost much more to setup my garage with the necessary lift, tools, etc. than having the dealer do the work.

 

Thanks!...Brave or dumb??? :-) Not sure yet. I used the cost savings to justify to my wife the partial cost of the lift....Had the dealer do it last time...but figured I would rather use the money on tools I could keep.

I am piecing together pictures and instructions to help others....but may take a bit to finish....

Take care...

DC

 

OK....Figured I better try to knock out a DIY soon, before I started forgetting

So I spent a great deal of time trying to illustrate and use photos and text to guide anyone that wants to try it.

CAVEAT : This is how I DID IT...and it worked. If you have a better way...Knock yourself out...This is in the spirit of helping others, not to debate the best way or what I did different or wrong.....

Too big for me to upload here apparently... About 4.5 MB .pdf, so get it here:

997.1 TT Spark Plug Change DIY HERE: LINK TO THEROCK'S 997 TURBO SPARK PLUG / COIL DIY

Hope this helps!

DC