Originally Posted by a44mark (Post 24699194)

My 2012 A6 3.0T is out of warranty and, thanks to learning on my previous car (2002 A4), I've decided to tackle as much of the maintenance as possible. I'm approaching 55k miles, and that service is one of the big ones. Included in that is replacement of the spark plugs. I know there's a writeup or two in the B8 S4 forum, but I haven't seen any specifically for the C7 A6, so I figured I'd have a go at it.

I spent a couple hours on the Audi "erwin" site and downloaded all of the relevant repair & maintenance manuals in PDF form - not bad for $35 as long as I'm not missing anything. They seem pretty comparable to the level of detail in the old Bentley manuals.

On to the job!

I started with the passenger side. First I loosened the clamps on each end of the air intake tube and removed the end connected to the filter box and moved it out of the way. That gives enough clearance to access everything easily.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...83ce7339be.jpg


I then removed the 2 torx screws holding the coil pack harness down, unhooked each of the connectors, and slid the whole harness down and off the coil packs.

Removal of the coil packs themselves was a bit tricky, only because they were stuck in there pretty good. I didn't have a removal tool, so I used channel lock pliers on the red casing and pulled straight out. I replaced each plug one at a time so I could keep track of the condition of each plug, just in case I found one that looked unusual. Fortunately, they all looked identical:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...ce5d55f81a.jpg

I used OEM plugs as replacements, using anti-seize on the threads and dielectric grease on the inside lip of the coil pack boot as instructed by the manual. Tightening torque is 30 Nm, or 22 foot pounds.

The driver's side was a little trickier because the coolant reservoir needs to be moved in order to get clear access to the coils/plugs, but the main coolant hose on the bottom doesn't provide much leeway. I unscrewed it from the bracket and disconnected the level sensor on the bottom. I was able to move it enough forward and to the side to get sufficient access - not as good as the passenger side but good enough.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...ae3455c597.jpg


I also unhooked the clip that holds part of the coil pack harness to the head in order to get more slack in the harness.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...afc95ba9f8.jpg


Overall, the job was very straightforward. I estimate it took me about 1.5 hours, mostly because this was the first time on this car.

Hope this is helpful to someone... Next up is the accessory belt!

-Mark

Originally Posted by Audi G. (Post 24848603)

Fantastic instructions. I am having issues getting the coolant reservoir sensor removed. Any special trick since can't see the bottom of the clip? Cant move the tank without unclipping it and see yours was off. Thanks

Originally Posted by gk1 (Post 24848609)

Many of those connectors require a push first then pull as you are holding the lock.

Originally Posted by allenst (Post 24699314)

if no tool

I've seen people use 2 plastic tie belts wrapped around each end to pull up on

Originally Posted by mjman15 (Post 24943824)

How did you get the lower torx bit off (on the passenger side closest to the air box). I can't seem to get my torx driver in there without having to take the whole airbox out.