Now I know why no one talks about different spark plugs
07-28-2001, 07:54 PM
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Now I know why no one talks about different spark plugs
I had a quick look to see about changing plugs.
After removing 5 different pieces of engine trim plastic, I got a look at the 3 coil packs that sit on top of the 3 plugs on the driver's side. Each pack is held in place with 2 small bolts. I'm not sure what size as none were accessible, but I would guess between 7 and 10 mm.
In order to get to the front plug, you need to remove a rubber intake hose with a branch that is held in place by 3 of those infernal Audi spring clamps (not simple screw clamps, oh no, the stupid spring clamps that require some special tool or special trick that I never learned). Actually, I think you can pry them open with a screwdriver blade, but I have no idea how to close them once opened.
To access the rear 2 plugs, you need to move the coolant reservoir. You might be able to remove the 3 screws that hold it in place and then pull it aside with out disconnecting it, but I did not try.
Once you have all this stuff out of the way, you still need to figure out how to disconnect the low voltage wire from each coil. I tried a few different angles just for fun, but couldn't get it (not that I was trying too hard as it was all academic since I did not plan to remove the intake hose or coolant tank).
The passenger side looked like even more fun. Just to remove the cylinder head plastic cover, it appears you have to remove several parts of the air intake ducting and perhaps move or disconnect several small vacuum hoses.
I'd estimate that if I got the special spring clamp tool and really focused, I could get the plugs done in 2-3 hours the first time. It would likely be faster after that, but it looks like there are lots of little things to discover the first time that would really slow things down to a crawl.
If someone else wants to be a pioneer here and gets great results with alternate plugs, I'd love to hear about it. Then I would consider the time investment. At this point, I'll do the stuff that we know works, i.e., chip, exhaust, maybe intake.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the factory standard time charge is for plug change on these cars? I bet it is at least 2.5 hours.
After removing 5 different pieces of engine trim plastic, I got a look at the 3 coil packs that sit on top of the 3 plugs on the driver's side. Each pack is held in place with 2 small bolts. I'm not sure what size as none were accessible, but I would guess between 7 and 10 mm.
In order to get to the front plug, you need to remove a rubber intake hose with a branch that is held in place by 3 of those infernal Audi spring clamps (not simple screw clamps, oh no, the stupid spring clamps that require some special tool or special trick that I never learned). Actually, I think you can pry them open with a screwdriver blade, but I have no idea how to close them once opened.
To access the rear 2 plugs, you need to move the coolant reservoir. You might be able to remove the 3 screws that hold it in place and then pull it aside with out disconnecting it, but I did not try.
Once you have all this stuff out of the way, you still need to figure out how to disconnect the low voltage wire from each coil. I tried a few different angles just for fun, but couldn't get it (not that I was trying too hard as it was all academic since I did not plan to remove the intake hose or coolant tank).
The passenger side looked like even more fun. Just to remove the cylinder head plastic cover, it appears you have to remove several parts of the air intake ducting and perhaps move or disconnect several small vacuum hoses.
I'd estimate that if I got the special spring clamp tool and really focused, I could get the plugs done in 2-3 hours the first time. It would likely be faster after that, but it looks like there are lots of little things to discover the first time that would really slow things down to a crawl.
If someone else wants to be a pioneer here and gets great results with alternate plugs, I'd love to hear about it. Then I would consider the time investment. At this point, I'll do the stuff that we know works, i.e., chip, exhaust, maybe intake.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the factory standard time charge is for plug change on these cars? I bet it is at least 2.5 hours.
07-28-2001, 08:15 PM
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All I know is that my plugs were changed by the dealer for my 32k service...
...unfortunately, I didn't look at the old plugs, but after seeing a few non-OEM plugs that have disintegrated laying around the dealership, I don't really want to try something else.
07-28-2001, 09:15 PM
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Well it took me about an hour and 10 minutes the first time.
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/16079/spark_plug.jpg"></center><p>After that it's a breeze. I take a look at the plugs about once a week now, and I'd say if I had to do a whole plug change in 45 minutes, I could.
The trick is to make it simple. You don't have to pull wires off coil packs or remove any vacuum hoses. And the coolant resavior just peels back out of the way, after you disconnect the "low coolant" electrical plug.
However, the coolant resevior, and the air inlet on the pass. side have to be moved (I hate the air box crap), but that's about it. There is some kind of hard line that gets in the way on the front two plugs, but a little man-power fixes that
BTW: here's a pic of one of my Denso's. They're gonna need to be changed here pretty soon. The electrode is getting a little small.
The trick is to make it simple. You don't have to pull wires off coil packs or remove any vacuum hoses. And the coolant resavior just peels back out of the way, after you disconnect the "low coolant" electrical plug.
However, the coolant resevior, and the air inlet on the pass. side have to be moved (I hate the air box crap), but that's about it. There is some kind of hard line that gets in the way on the front two plugs, but a little man-power fixes that
BTW: here's a pic of one of my Denso's. They're gonna need to be changed here pretty soon. The electrode is getting a little small.
07-29-2001, 01:33 AM
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OK, all done. Took about 2 hours.
The front plug on each side is the toughest. There are hoses in the way.
On the driver's side, the hoses are just soft rubber, so a bit of pressing and shoving worked well.
On the passenger side, the main intake hose blocks access to one of the 10 mm coil bolts. That hose is hard plastic or metal and does not compress or bend. I had to remove the 10 mm bolt holding that hose in place and then push on it very hard to get in out of the way enough to get that 10 mm coil bolt.
Dismantling the air box and intake plumbing on the passenger side is also annoying.
I got it all back together, took it for a test drive and all was fine. Then I realized that I failed to reinstall the passenger side valve cover plastic cover. Now I have to wait until morning and wrestle with the air box again to reinstall the stupid plastic cover. DOH!
On the driver's side, the hoses are just soft rubber, so a bit of pressing and shoving worked well.
On the passenger side, the main intake hose blocks access to one of the 10 mm coil bolts. That hose is hard plastic or metal and does not compress or bend. I had to remove the 10 mm bolt holding that hose in place and then push on it very hard to get in out of the way enough to get that 10 mm coil bolt.
Dismantling the air box and intake plumbing on the passenger side is also annoying.
I got it all back together, took it for a test drive and all was fine. Then I realized that I failed to reinstall the passenger side valve cover plastic cover. Now I have to wait until morning and wrestle with the air box again to reinstall the stupid plastic cover. DOH!
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