I have been thinking about doing plugs myself on my 2002 911 Turbo but called around recently to understand what shops are charging. Seems 6 to 7 hours labor is the norm at most shops but I have read where others here say it is a straight forward install when taking the rear bumper, intercooleds and heat shield off the car.

So, can one do an install with the car on jack stands? Or do the turbo oil lines get in the way and it is worth letting a shop do the install?

 

I am not as technically savvy as some here, I also have basic tools. I do the plugs in 2 hours start to finish in my driveway while drinking beer. Jack up the rear from both sides and remove the wheels to make bumper removal easier. Remove tail lights, remove bumper, remove intercoolers (13mm bolts/nuts), bend up tinfoil looking heatshield. Remove small heat shields that sit over the coil packs and you are right there with plenty of room. I have done it before and the first time it probably took me 3 hours. I have also done it once on a lift with 1 person helping and we were done in 1hr start to finish.

Don't rush it and you'll be good. 6-7 hours of shop labor is ridiculous

 

My mechanic does plug/coil changes without removing the wheels and intercoolers...

 

Thank you!

I have had the rear wheels, rear bumper, tail lights, and intercoolers off a previously owned 911 Turbo. What I didn't do at the time was check out the ignition coil set and plugs although I do remember having a visual on them and thought at the time, I don't think they would be hard to install with everything off the car.

I'm going to save myself $600 to $700 and do them myself.

Needed a little reassuring so thanks again!

 

you are correct. absolutely doable with proper wrench and sockets and on the lift. i have basic tools and no lift. working from the side is much easier and roomier especially for someone doing them for the first time.
its easy man. My advice is to do plugs and 997 coils. Make sure you use the right plugs and double check the gap on all of them with an accurate gapper ! These cars are so picky when it comes to spark. If you are modded and run more boost i would gap at .0025.

 

Good info Prodigy- I too will now attempt this; + the beer as well

 

That's the plan and will ensure I double check the gap.

Many thanks!

 

Hey prodigymb, did you mean .025 or .0025?
Thanks

 

Spark plug change is Definitely a good diy. It took me about 6 hours taking things very slow the first time i did it. I'm sure I could do it in half that time now. There is an excellent diy guide on renntrack for this procedure.

 

yeah meant to type 0.025

i work pretty slow and drink during and i never worked on pcars before my own - i just cant imagine it taking 6 hours.... unless you take a break to watch Titanic in 3D.

 

I do it this way, as well. Simple. But you need a lift. Or pay a shop 1 hour labor to do it this way...

 

Thanks prodigymb, just wanted to be sure because I'll try changing the plugs for the first time soon.

 

Personally I would gladly pay 1hr labor but there is nobody (at least around here) that will do it for 1 or 2 or even 3 hours of billable labor. The whole thread started with a shop wanting to charge 6-7 hours labor.

 

If you shop around, maybe you can find an indie that will will do it for shop time. That's how I learned of this method, I was at a local indie shop discussing the involved plug change and they said "we never do it that way. We just put the car up on a lift and do it without removing anything." Then they offered for me to do it myself while the car was up, so I did (I know them well)...it took me under 1 hour to install new plugs and new coils.

 

Almo,

Exactly what Prodigy said is my experience too. Take the extra $ you're saving and buy some 997 Coilpacks when you are in there.