Spark plugs

[leet]

Need to replace my Sparkplugs shortly just to make sure everything's tip top before sending my car up to MRC for mapping. Do people always go with genuine parts or do you think these will do exactly the same job? I'm guessing Audi plugs are just rebranded Bosch items?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/301782245148

[rs6_sid]

I was fairly sure that Most Audi plugs where rebranded ngk just make sure the gap is 0.8mm and you can't go far wrong that's usually audis standard gap size

[TomRS]

Yeah they are just re-branded i usually just get 10 Bosche plugs from a Andrew Page, think they are around the £80 mark, i have already checked and crossreferenced the part numbers with a friend at TPS to confirm they are the same plugs and will do the exact same job.

Not bad especially if you fit them yourself, saves on the £400 bill from Audi.

[marknjayne]

are they easy enough to do yourself?

[leet]

Yeah they are just re-branded i usually just get 10 Bosche plugs from a Andrew Page, think they are around the £80 mark, i have already checked and crossreferenced the part numbers with a friend at TPS to confirm they are the same plugs and will do the exact same job.

Not bad especially if you fit them yourself, saves on the £400 bill from Audi.

Excellent, thanks Tom. Will definitely be doing them myself. I hear the rear two can be a bit of a pain?

[TomRS]

are they easy enough to do yourself?

To be honest mark the actual process is simple enough on paper but it is quite long winded and ideally you want a friend to help, its totally possible if your good with the tools, just got to take your time as an awful lot needs removing to gain access.

1. Remove upper boost pipes
2. Remove air box's
3. Remove oil connection tube and breather on side of cam cover
4. Remove wiring loom nuts and disconnect from the coil packs
5. Remove the coil packs
6. Replace the plugs
7. Reversal of that process.

Now that sounds easy right? the main few issues you'll have are the 4 torx bits holding the breather on 3 are easy, 1 is at the back and you need a good few extensions and a magnetic bit to rescue the bolt.
The boost pipes have connections into them on the underside held on by radiator style clamps now these are "impossible" the drivers side is a big struggle due to the oil tank being in the way, hence why you ideally need a friend, replacing is where you'll struggle.
Removing the air box's takes some serious tugging as they are held in place on some rubber grommets, don't fear you wont snap anything.

Finally removing the passenger rear plug is a big struggle you have to twist and contort the coil pack out past the brake/air con lines and then you have access to the plug.
You'll find that most of the time you'll need to drop the spark plug tool into the cylinder before sliding the extension into place otherwise it physically wont fit due to the angle.

Excellent, thanks Tom. Will definitely be doing them myself. I hear the rear two can be a bit of a pain?

They are, you have to remove the oil breather from the cam cover in order to gain access to the drivers side plug, and you have to wiggle the air con/brake lines on the passenger side to get the coil pack out.
There is a nack to doing it does come without having to lower then engine or anything like that, I've done my plugs 3 times now without issue.

[longman h]

I just thought I'd follow on from this and say that I've recently had my plugs changed by a company fairly local to me known as 4Rings in Dartford.

I've used these guys before when stuff needed doing on my C5 when I had it and I'm pleased to say that nothing's changed since my last visit a few years ago.
Still professional, helpful and competitive.

It cost me a total of £421 all in to have them changed which I think is reasonable.

[rs6_sid]

my local dealer wanted £500 to do them so not much difference in it

[longman h]

my local dealer wanted £500 to do them so not much difference in it

Only 25%.

[TomRS]

£80 and 4hrs of my time...

No way im paying £400+ to fit plugs, especially after doing this once you actually realise it isn't that hard! just take your time!

[GC1978]

I have worked on a lot of cars and built several kit cars and the back 2 banks are a royal PITA.
The main issue is if you don't drop the engine down then you have to put a lot of pressure on the pipe work at the back of the block and its very easy to break stuff that's had a couple of thousand heat cycles..

The tear down is fairly simple for the front 4. Just make sure you remove the lower part of the air boxes without breaking them!

Once you are done make sure you get the lower hoses done up correctly and test drive under boost before you put all your tools away!

As with all spark plug changes make sure you torque them up correctly and ensure you do not cross thread them! The proper magnetic spark plug socket is defo a good idea to ensure no issues.

[TomRS]

I have worked on a lot of cars and built several kit cars and the back 2 banks are a royal PITA.
The main issue is if you don't drop the engine down then you have to put a lot of pressure on the pipe work at the back of the block and its very easy to break stuff that's had a couple of thousand heat cycles..

The tear down is fairly simple for the front 4. Just make sure you remove the lower part of the air boxes without breaking them!

Once you are done make sure you get the lower hoses done up correctly and test drive under boost before you put all your tools away!

As with all spark plug changes make sure you torque them up correctly and ensure you do not cross thread them! The proper magnetic spark plug socket is defo a good idea to ensure no issues.

Agreed, the rear plug on drivers side which required removal of the oil seperator is probably the worst imo as the rear torx is JUST HORRENDOUS! also fitting the rear passangers side is awkward squeezing the coil pack through the brake and heater lines.