Pacoryan Posted December 31, 2020 Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 Having been defeated today by what I thought would be a dead easy job, swapping out the front drop links, I will next tackle changing the coil packs which are apparently all cracked, and while I’m there, the plugs too. What’s going to bite me on the behind this time? the instructions in the Bentley bible seem very reasonable - lift car, undo coil packs, undo plugs. Refit is a reversal of removal... ha ha. so any tips before I depress myself even further by being unable to complete the most basic of tasks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobbie Posted December 31, 2020 Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 Be very careful removing the two bolts which hold the coil packs in place as it is easy to round off the Allen heads which turns the job into a right PITA. I’d tap the Allen key into place with a small hammer before attempting to undo. Access is awkward so it is easy to try and undo the bolts without the Allen key seated properly which results in rounding the bolt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacoryan Posted December 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 Good shout, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S8ked Posted December 31, 2020 Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 As Nobbie has said, clean out the Allen head screw heads. I used a shot of WD40 first and followed up with some compressed air, then tapped the key in with a small hammer. Got all of them out without any issues! If you don't have access to a compressor you can get small cans of compressed air from camera shops or hardware stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr96er Posted December 31, 2020 Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 Be aware there are coil tubes that have o rings at each end. Sometimes they can. Dislodge and stick to the coil pack, so it’s worth having replacements handy. £6 a pop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beicmynydd Posted December 31, 2020 Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 Make sure you have the correct tourque setting for the plug and that the extension bar locks to the socket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr96er Posted January 4, 2021 Report Share Posted January 4, 2021 Don’t be the guy that changes 4 because the front two are hard to get at. That guy doesn’t have a good word said about it him. And come resale time @Nick Giles will spot it a mile off and advise his buyer accordingly🤓 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted January 4, 2021 Report Share Posted January 4, 2021 27 minutes ago, Mr96er said: Don’t be the guy that changes 4 because the front two are hard to get at. That guy doesn’t have a good word said about it him. And come resale time @Nick Giles will spot it a mile off and advise his buyer accordingly🤓 So did Nick catch you out or catch it for you??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr96er Posted January 4, 2021 Report Share Posted January 4, 2021 1 hour ago, ½cwt said: So did Nick catch you out or catch it for you??? Neither, he seems a capable and thorough chap though, so I would be shocked if he didn’t pay attention to this stuff☝️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted January 4, 2021 Report Share Posted January 4, 2021 10 minutes ago, Mr96er said: Neither, he seems a capable and thorough chap though, so I would be shocked if he didn’t pay attention to this stuff☝️ For sure. I was pulling your leg though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninesomething Posted January 4, 2021 Report Share Posted January 4, 2021 Whatever else you do be very careful NOT to crossthread the plugs. Gently does it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanmr2 Posted January 4, 2021 Report Share Posted January 4, 2021 5 minutes ago, JonSta said: Whatever else you do be very careful NOT to crossthread the plugs. Gently does it. Sound advice 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfirstboxster Posted January 4, 2021 Report Share Posted January 4, 2021 Be careful that the plug socket doesn't come off the extension bar leaving the socket deep in the cylinder head , they're a pain to get out ( wrap some tape around the socket/bar joint just to hold them together ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted January 4, 2021 Report Share Posted January 4, 2021 5 hours ago, JonSta said: Whatever else you do be very careful NOT to crossthread the plugs. Gently does it. I usually turn the plug anti clockwise when fitting, you can just feel when the thread jumps to the next turn, then you know you are lined up to screw it in clockwise. Never done it open a boxer engine though only in-line and vee where gravity is helping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo86 Posted January 5, 2021 Report Share Posted January 5, 2021 I would see if you have any leakage coming from the spark plug tubes. If you do might be worth replacing the tubes too especially as you are there anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxsum Posted January 5, 2021 Report Share Posted January 5, 2021 To change the spark plugs even at a Porsche specialist inc parts is under £100. I’m pretty sure replacing the coils and tubes wouldn’t add much to that in labour and save you all the hassle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted January 5, 2021 Report Share Posted January 5, 2021 54 minutes ago, Boxsum said: To change the spark plugs even at a Porsche specialist inc parts is under £100. I’m pretty sure replacing the coils and tubes wouldn’t add much to that in labour and save you all the hassle. Only snag with that is a coil pack at an OPC is about £75. You can get 6 Beru (OE supplier) online for about £150 so a third of the price..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL888 Posted January 6, 2021 Report Share Posted January 6, 2021 Hi, I did this over summer including changing the sparkplugs. The job is made easier with the rear wheels removed but I managed do it without having to do so. Set aside 2 hours and wear protective glasses as a lot of dirt will fall. And finally make sure you get the updated coils with the bigger torx bolts and tighten to the correct torque. Regards James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxsum Posted January 6, 2021 Report Share Posted January 6, 2021 23 hours ago, ½cwt said: Only snag with that is a coil pack at an OPC is about £75. You can get 6 Beru (OE supplier) online for about £150 so a third of the price..... I’m pretty sure an independent wouldn’t mind you supplying the coil pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacoryan Posted January 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 On 1/6/2021 at 5:35 PM, Boxsum said: I’m pretty sure an independent wouldn’t mind you supplying the coil pack. The job was actually on “to-do” a list after last summer’s trip to a local specialist, when I really had to make a man-maths decision about some pretty substantial sums for other recommended work. Basically I went down the list, which totalled roughly the value of the car, and decided anything I could do myself would save a few £ and free up cash for nice-to-haves. For reference plugs and packs was over £500 + VAT at the specialist. I bought 6 Beru packs and Bosch plugs for under half that, so it seemed a worthwhile saving, and I enjoy doing it. Well I do when it works, the stuck drop-link was swapped today by my local garage in 45 minutes for £45, that was money well spent! Passed the MoT with a clean sheet too! * I should add the list from the Indy was mostly recommended work to get the car to optimum condition, basically 20 yr old stuff that may be working fine, but might be worth changing. I was very happy with their advice and value for work undertaken. First things first, I agreed to get them to do anything that makes the driving experience better. The rest I’ll do as and when cash allows to take it to them, or time allows me to tinker (with stuff that’s easy!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxsum Posted January 9, 2021 Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 4 hours ago, Pacoryan said: The job was actually on “to-do” a list after last summer’s trip to a local specialist, when I really had to make a man-maths decision about some pretty substantial sums for other recommended work. Basically I went down the list, which totalled roughly the value of the car, and decided anything I could do myself would save a few £ and free up cash for nice-to-haves. For reference plugs and packs was over £500 + VAT at the specialist. I bought 6 Beru packs and Bosch plugs for under half that, so it seemed a worthwhile saving, and I enjoy doing it. Well I do when it works, the stuck drop-link was swapped today by my local garage in 45 minutes for £45, that was money well spent! Passed the MoT with a clean sheet too! * I should add the list from the Indy was mostly recommended work to get the car to optimum condition, basically 20 yr old stuff that may be working fine, but might be worth changing. I was very happy with their advice and value for work undertaken. First things first, I agreed to get them to do anything that makes the driving experience better. The rest I’ll do as and when cash allows to take it to them, or time allows me to tinker (with stuff that’s easy!). Good job 👏 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacoryan Posted February 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2021 So after taking the car out and feeling some hesitation I finally got around to this today, and I have successfully swapped 5 packs and plugs, but 1 poxy Allen bolt was already rounded, so I’m scratching my head slightly. So little room to manoeuvre in there, it’s the l/h front pack. interestingly all five plugs so far were basically finger tight, one coil lead was loose, amazed it ran as well as it did. I’ve left it on stands tonight while I decide whether to try and attack the last stud or just put it all back together and leave it until the weather is warmer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazymind Posted February 6, 2021 Report Share Posted February 6, 2021 Try hammering the Allen key into the head. Sure it is not all rounded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TROOPER88 Posted February 6, 2021 Report Share Posted February 6, 2021 2 hours ago, Pacoryan said: So after taking the car out and feeling some hesitation I finally got around to this today, and I have successfully swapped 5 packs and plugs, but 1 poxy Allen bolt was already rounded, so I’m scratching my head slightly. So little room to manoeuvre in there, it’s the l/h front pack. interestingly all five plugs so far were basically finger tight, one coil lead was loose, amazed it ran as well as it did. I’ve left it on stands tonight while I decide whether to try and attack the last stud or just put it all back together and leave it until the weather is warmer! Whilst servicing a 987 today I had the same issue. All you need to do is use a splined bit, not a torx or an Allen key but a splined bit the correct size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacoryan Posted February 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2021 It is rounded to ***k sadly, and my gentle persuasion tapping in an Allen key and trying to coax it has not improved matters. I like the sound of this splined bit though, thanks, I shall investigate, I only have hex and torx bits to hand. All the others were barely tight, so I’m hoping a little bite is all it will take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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