Correct plugs for 2008 RS60

[ppeters914]

2008 Boxster RS60 (3.4L, 41k miles)
"Check Engine - Visit Workshop" light came on.
Stopped at AutoZone and had them run scan. Error Codes:

P0300: Random Misfire Detected
P0302: Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0303: Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected

Plugs past due for replacing, so went to order. But what to order?

Pelican says: NGK BKR6EKUB (NGK #7969)
NGK and NAPA say: NGK BK7EQUP (NGK #4285)

Any idea why NGK and NAPA would recommend the colder plug?

Thanks.

[husker boxster]

Can't answer your plug question, but are you replacing the coil packs too? Chances are your codes are from a bad pack more than a bad plug.

Now back to your plug question.

[ppeters914]

My initial thought was to replace the coil packs and the spark plugs based on my experience with a 2011 VW EOS with the 2.0 TFSI engine.

However, in researching the Boxster, the consensus seems to be don't replace the coils unless they have failed with many still fine after 80k miles or more.

The Boxster coils are almost twice the price of the VW/Audi plus there's two more of them, so I figured I'd just change the plugs first.

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

[husker boxster]

Yeah, your coils only have 41K mi on them but they are also 12-13 yrs old. The owner's manual talks about maintenance in terms of miles OR years. You're well past the time period for replacement. A set of 6 coils cost approx $350. You have to take them out to change the plugs, might as well spend the $350, change them too, and be done with it. Chances are the old plugs will look OK. They generally want you to remove them after a period of time so they don't weld themselves into the block.

If you want to cheap out and don't care about your time and scraped knuckles, swap the 2 coils from the offending cylinders to the other side and see if the CEL follows the coils.

[ppeters914]

Yes, they do mention a few maintenance items to do every X months or years regardless of mileage.

And, yes, if all the coils still looked and tested good, I was just going to swap them into different cylinders to see if the issue moved.

Unfortunately, no matter how many forum posts say and YouTube videos show how relatively easy the process is, I am unable to remove the electrical connections from the coils. No matter how hard I press, the connectors refuse to release. I suspect they're frozen after twelve years, but will let a shop figure it out.

It's a sad day when a man cannot change his own spark plugs, a task I've been doing for almost sixty years.

That said, I'm still curious about the correct plugs to use for next time.

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[racer]

Suncoast Porsche dealer suggests these plugs for $108 and I'd share the link, but our Host doesn't like links to their competition... SKU: PK6X99917022390

The go on to mention:

For most models, Porsche recommends replacing your spark plugs every four years, or every 36,000 miles (whichever comes first). These are genuine Porsche parts, and by selecting your car you will be ordering the complete set of spark plugs for your specific car.

[husker boxster]

The coil connectors have a small hook on them. Chances are you won't be able to just pull them off w/o accommodating the hook first. A small screw driver or small nail will lift the hook high enough to clear the bump that holds it. Slide the rubber cover up with the connector still on and you'll see the U-shaped hook I'm referring to. Be careful as you can snap the hook off and then your connector may work loose if it's gone.

You also have to be sure to get the connector snapped back on completely, as there's not a lot of room on the cylinders closest to the firewall and it's easy to not get the connector all the way on. Once again, it's best to snap the connector on with the rubber cover off so you can be sure the connector is all the way on.

[ppeters914]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

The coil connectors have a small hook on them. Chances are you won't be able to just pull them off w/o accommodating the hook first. A small screw driver or small nail will lift the hook high enough to clear the bump that holds it. Slide the rubber cover up with the connector still on and you'll see the U-shaped hook I'm referring to. Be careful as you can snap the hook off and then your connector may work loose if it's gone.

You also have to be sure to get the connector snapped back on completely, as there's not a lot of room on the cylinders closest to the firewall and it's easy to not get the connector all the way on. Once again, it's best to snap the connector on with the rubber cover off so you can be sure the connector is all the way on.

Muchas gracias! That was the trick I needed. Still a pain. Cylinder #3 did NOT want to release! Probably from being in there so long. Every coil casing was beginning to crack or split, so replacing all of them.

Plugs look tired and dirty like they were almost fouling. They were also hard to remove due to varnish-like substance on threads. No definitive answer on NGK vs Bosch (in fact, this is the only forum out of 4 that answered my post), so going with NGK.

All-in-all, it's obvious why these should be replaced regularly.

Ordered parts from Pelican.

[husker boxster]

You're welcome. Glad to pass on some knowledge. Sorry I didn't have an answer for your spark plug question but you probably made the correct decision going with Pelican. My guess is they have a bit more Porsche experience than NGK or NAPA.