#1 spark plug can EAT MY ARSE! ARGH!

[krasuskyp]

OK, so it's past midnight and I had a coupla bierz to accompany the spark plug change...

...so I'm a bit punchy.

_I_CANNOT_FOR_THE_LIFE_OF_ME_get the @!#$%^& spark plug socket onto #1 to remove the fokker!!!

!!!

Tried both my plug socket and the OE tool - neither find the plug.

WTF am I doing wrong (besides not paying someone to do this for me / shoot me, that is)???

I just wasted easily an hour on what should have been 20sec's.

Bueller???

[icemann427]

I feel your pain, brother!!! It took me six hours to change the plugs the last time but I can't remember how I got to the numero uno. I know I was as pissed as you, though, before I got it out. Jus' take the damn engine out next time! lol

Good luck, mate!

[krasuskyp]

ha!

I actually knocked out the other 5 pretty handily, tho I've no AC or OE airbox, and removed the rubber intake elbow.

Just _cannot_ get that socket on the last one (always the last one).

FUCHME!

tx for sharing my pain brutha 8-)

ran out of swears to scream @ the top of my lungs and am going to bed, will try again tomorrow

maybe I need some new swear words?

[TurboKraft]

Originally Posted by krasuskyp

maybe I need some new swear words?

Learn German. I find cursing them out in their native tongue helps. ;-)

[Ken911]

ok jack the car up place torsion bar covers on jack stands. remove rear engine mount bolts. Lower engine about 6 inches the replace them from the rear fender well. took me 30 min to do it this way a couple days ago.

[JohnJL]

If you are using the factory plug wrench that came in the toolkit then it shouldnt be an issue. Perhaps check with a flashlight and a mirror to confirm you dont have a spare washer or other debris down there.

Its good practice to burst the plug area with compressed air prior to removing plugs to be sure there isnt any random debris down there waiting to drop into the cylinder.

You definately do not need to drop the motor to change plugs.

[krasuskyp]

Thanks Ken - I may just do that.

Thanks too John - I did try the OE tool to no avail. Will try the mirror trick tho, and good tip on the blow-out prior.

Chris, I did swear @ it in German... thing is, it swore back! Something about my mother and combat boots?

What really steams me is, I watched John & Kris swap plugs in John's car in like 10min @ VIR last fall... on a HOT MOTOR. I *really* suck (this much, I knew)...

[MikeD930]

Hmm, let me know if you found another trick in removing that #1 plug. Would using a universal joint help? Just putting in my less than 2 cent worth.

[Benny771]

Just about to do this.....

I think i will start at the #1 plug now...... HA!

[Ken911]

Originally Posted by JohnJL

If you are using the factory plug wrench that came in the toolkit then it shouldnt be an issue. Perhaps check with a flashlight and a mirror to confirm you dont have a spare washer or other debris down there.

Its good practice to burst the plug area with compressed air prior to removing plugs to be sure there isnt any random debris down there waiting to drop into the cylinder.

You definately do not need to drop the motor to change plugs.

I know you don't have to do it that way but it's faster when trying to reach everything on the drivers side of the engine. My arms dont fit very well. I just use a regular spark plug socket with a wobble extension.

[krasuskyp]

Mikey!

Na mon... I'm talking about even seating the socket onto the plug itself. I can hold it on a 3" ext and maneuver it endlessly, just to no avail.

I DID use a series of ext's, a u-joint, and stub ratchet tho on some of the others - HUGE HELP!

Cannot get that socket to bite tho - either going to remove that confounded heater hose or lower the motor like Ken said... tho I f'd w/ the other side heater hose last night, those fukkers are _NOT_FUN_ to move around!

See, I took a break from cursing @ that last plug to tackle a quick easy task.... I took off the plastic duct to the fanshroud so I could remove the last remaining AC bracket - the vertical bar. (finally cut out the AC mounting boss this weekend).

>>>BUHBYE<<< any remaining semblance of AC! BEGONE, thy infernal system of crap and useless weight!

Whatta HOOR the 17mm nut was that affixed the bar (backs out and jams the socket into the case), but... whatta BIATCH getting that plastic duct back on was - another hour wasted easily for 1 stooopid nut! Got that fuchin heavyass bar off tho lol!

Serves me right for taking a break @ cursing @ plug #1! Midnight hit and I pulled the plug... oh wait d'oh that's a terrible pun!!!

[JohnJL]

Ya sure someone didnt fit a smaller plug in #1?

[JFairman]

Just loosen the single hose clamp on the top of the heater hose (if there is one) and move it out of the way. There may be part of the wiring harness sort of in the way too so push it aside and or carefully unplug it from the rear relay console if that helps.

I've never had a problem getting to that sparkplug - guess I'm used to patiently removing things that may be in the way.
I leave the brake booster vacuum hose in place and work around it when doing that or when adusting intake rockers on 1 and 2.

BTW, don't remove the spark plugs when adjusting valves or carbon may fall off one and land in between an open exhaust valve and seat while adjust valve clearance. It's easy to turn over a 7:1 compression motor clockwise with a wrench by hand with a 24mm box end wrench on the alternator nut while squeezing the fan belt inward a little with your other hand on the slack side if it slips.

It's not difficult and you definately don't have to lower the motor to get at it.
The origonal toolkit spring loaded flexable shaft sparkplug socket is the best tool and perfect length for the job.
A flex head 3/8 drive ratchet with wobble extension around 3-4" long on a regular 3/8 drive sparkplug socket with a rubber ribbed center sleeve to snap onto and cushion hold the ribbed porcelin part of the sparkplug will also work but wrap some duct or gaffer tape around it so the socket doesn't pop off the extension and stay on the plug when you pull it out.

[mark houghton]

Originally Posted by JFairman

A flex head 3/8 drive ratchet with wobble extension around 3-4" long on a regular 3/8 drive sparkplug socket with a rubber ribbed center sleeve to snap onto and cushion hold the ribbed porcelin part of the sparkplug will also work but wrap some duct or gaffer tape around it so the socket doesn't pop off the extension and stay on the plug when you pull it out.

That describes exactly my method as well.

[krasuskyp]

More great tips from the Fountain of Jim - thanks as always.

I totally got suckered by the "losing the socket in the head" bit on the first one, trusty magnet fished it out.

I did push that harness out of the way, and my hand has great access down there - the f'n socket just won't "seat". Hopefully w/ the heater hose out of the way I can gain the right angle.

ugh

this shouldn't be such a ****show 8-)

What attaches to the OE socket? Some sort of star-device... my toolkit appears to be lacking that item butofcourse...

[JFairman]

An 8 or 10mm allen wrench that comes in the OEM toolkit fits into the end of it. I'd have to go out and look to see what size allen fits it.

I use an allen socket on the end of a 3/8 drive flex head ratchet in the origonal spark plug socket.
It's nice that porsche put the knurled end on the origonal tool that makes it easy to turn by hand before using the allen wrench.

[full quack]

I use a spark plug socket that has it's own universal joint on it, works just fine.

Remember, though, if you don't bust a knuckle & bleed a bit, you simply are not doing it right.

Mark

[Ken911]

Originally Posted by JFairman

An 8 or 10mm allen wrench that comes in the OEM toolkit fits into the end of it. I'd have to go out and look to see what size allen fits it.

I use an allen socket on the end of a 3/8 drive flex head ratchet in the origonal spark plug socket.
It's nice that porsche put the knurled end on the origonal tool that makes it easy to turn by hand before using the allen wrench.

since my car arrived in pieces when i got it i never had one of those.

[RarlyL8]

Paul,
Are you saying that you have a short extension on the spark plug socket and are able to wiggle it around and still cannot get it to seat?
That is the method I use. Once seated I pop on the ratchet. If you cannot get it seated my guess would be the heater hose is in the way and not allowing the correct angle you need. Put the socket and extension on cyl #2 and note the angle. See if this is the problem on #1.

[krasuskyp]

Originally Posted by RarlyL8

Paul,
Are you saying that you have a short extension on the spark plug socket and are able to wiggle it around and still cannot get it to seat?
That is the method I use. Once seated I pop on the ratchet. If you cannot get it seated my guess would be the heater hose is in the way and not allowing the correct angle you need. Put the socket and extension on cyl #2 and note the angle. See if this is the problem on #1.

dingdingding... EGGZACHRY!!!

yes, that's the procedure I did for the other 5

I was making note of the angle, and think 'maybe' the heater hose might be impeding my approach - dunno tho, I can get a pretty decent angle on it and it's still not catching

argh!