DIY sparkplug and/or coilpack replacement

[island911]

tools needed:
(edit: for drivers side)

Torx E12 socket
Torx T30 drive
5/8th sparkplug socket
flat-blade screwdriver
a penny (or a button)




Overview:(drivers side)
pull lose rubber hood seal
remove side (plastic) covers
dismount air-pumps
remove wire shrouds (silver "PORSCHE" covers)
remove coilpack
remove sparkplugs


More detail:

pull lose rubber hood seal...



remove side (plastic) covers
qtr-turn fasteners ... the penny is helpful for some of these






dismount air-pumps (3 T40screws each. ...the T30 worked for me )



Move to the side



remove wire-shrouds (silver "PORSCHE" covers) 4 screws each



next remove coilpack(s)...

push release tab


Pry connector off (while depressing the release tab)


Torx screw-nut off the coil-pack

[island911]

Pull out coil-pack


remove sparkplug(s)

[JHoffman]

very nice. No need to pull off the rubber seal. For tools you also need a t40 for the air pumps, a t20(i think) for the washer tank, 16mm socket for the torque support, 12 triple square for the torque support, and spark plug socket with wobble extension.

For pass side, the harder side, you need to loosen the bracket for the air pump, remove the bracket for the torque support and also remove the torque support.

[island911]

Ah, the passenger side ... ...that costs extra.

Seriously, good catch. I just dug into one side.

Yeah, it's looking like a 12mm triple-sqr for this mount.



I'm guessing that most don't have those drives handy.

fwiw, I bought mine from Carquest (after driving all over the city trying to find these on a Sunday) I expect Pelican sells them.

Edit: yep there it is -> http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_CAT055_pg11.htm

[JHoffman]

Depending on how much you really care about the coil cover, you might want to remove the bracket for the air pump rather than just loosen. Also you will need an e10 for the torque support bracket I think. It's a great DIY job.

[Slownomore]

You actually don't need to loosen or remove the air pump bracket. I usually give it a shot of Penetrating oil and wiggle it out. Its a pain but saves time. Ive done probably 200 of these and was always taught to do it that way. It's easy to crack but after the first few you of them you do it's a breeze to get out Should take a little over an hour to do. I usually charge $50 to do them on the side. Much better then the 2.5 hour labor fee at the dealer. Great DIY write up! Should save a lot of people some money.

[island911]

... a few more pictures for the right side...







Backing up a bit .. .As said, sliding up the coil-pack cover is tricky




Here's why (that air-pump bracket



Pushing down, back there, while gently working/shifting the cover got mine off w/o incident.

Once the cover is off, disconnect these wires



..and remove the torque-arm mount.

Then access to the coil-packs and/or plugs is had.

Note, that back plug is hard to get too. (tight space)

I use a short extension with a universal joint to another extension.



In yellow, shows a plug and wires pulled off the firewall mount. (this gave working space for the extensions to pull back out of the hole.

[usmm1234]

I picked up this Kobalt right angle bit driver kit #0338552 at Lowes. it is a reversible ratcheting wrench that holds all the torx and star bits. It was literally like it was made for this job. 8 plugs replaced in about 1 1/2 hrs. it was under $40. My Cayenne GTS is a 2009 so I dont have to deal with the air pumps, but the 3/8" drive torx wrenchs were to long to use in almost every spot I needed them. This tool needs no room to work and the ratchet is very fine so short throw is no problem.

[Determined]

Nice Post, I did this a few weeks ago and it took about 1-hour. I also did my front brakes/rotors this past weekend, it was not as bad as I feared. However, I still need to do the rears which I have read will make me work hard to replace rotors/brakes.

[ninelevenick]

Don't stress the rear brake job. The only caveat will be the parking brake pad pressure release (which is easy) and the lack of space to properly torque the caliper bolts.

[Roland at Pelican Parts]

Awesome diy write up, thanks for posting!

[Dan951]

Originally Posted by usmm1234

I picked up this Kobalt right angle bit driver kit #0338552 at Lowes. it is a reversible ratcheting wrench that holds all the torx and star bits. It was literally like it was made for this job. 8 plugs replaced in about 1 1/2 hrs. it was under $40. My Cayenne GTS is a 2009 so I dont have to deal with the air pumps, but the 3/8" drive torx wrenchs were to long to use in almost every spot I needed them. This tool needs no room to work and the ratchet is very fine so short throw is no problem.

I couldn't agree more! My local Lowes had this tool 1/2 off on sale and it made removing those torx bolts a breeze!

OP very nice DYI write up! Thanks!