Correct regarding the question whether all of mine went in fine. I had no clashes with my new style coil's longer bolts and that hard metal tube. I know exactly which tube jayzbird is talking about, mine has the same one. Maybe its just in a slightly different position. You definitely can't flex that puppy, I tried!! With something like this, a millimeter here or there can really make an install easy, or a pain.

To confirm with more detail- My coils did NOT look like BauerR's. All of mine were the full thickness everywhere and required the longer (m6 x 40mm) bolts which have the male Torx heads. Mine were just like the "new style coil" in the first pic in the original post by jayzbird.

I wonder if its a year-related thing??? My car is a 2004.


I also HAD to remove the rear bumper. I tried VERY hard to change the plugs/coils without removing the bumper, but could not. Once I got into removing the bumper, I/Cs, and fender liners, it was all remarkably easy and it all went back together quickly and easily too.

I'm sorry I didn't take any pics... didn't think I had to, because it is pretty well documented on this site and some others. Kinda wish I would have now... Hindsight!

 

I will buy the updated ones and give it a try!
My car is a 2003, so we will see if it is really year related.
Thanks for your answer

 

I have mine apart to do coils but haven't finished as last time I looked they were back ordered= that was before Christmas lol. I will see what they have and report back when finished, did remove bumper etc.

 

I bought mine from ebay if you're interested in getting them sooner. Brand new in box. I wanna say they were 35$ each

 

Dang... I paid $58 each.

 

The Beru ZS036 are the latest of the older 'short' style AFAIK, used them a lot, they are holding up great/no issues, and think they are still readily available/produced...I may have to look into it...have yet to receive any of the new 'tall' style
Not 'hating' on others' ways, but pulling the bumper is VERY easy and makes life so easy ...bumper off method, can do plugs in about 1.5 hour going steady on mine...
Cheers,
Rob

 

exactly right. my vw is in the shop and they want 3.5 hous to R&R an ignition switch and the locking assembly ) of COURSE they are separate!!, THEN they tell me its VIN coded has to come from germany or MEXICO!?! and it's 7/10 BUSINESS days! fk vag anyway, they all suck.. i sh*t you not. all this while porsche has EVERYthing in their ontario CA "hub". go figure.

your point is well taken. once a guy has changed sparks plugs literally a 1000 times and found a way to to do it withOUT removing the bumper? then that's what gonna happen. doesn't mater what "book time" is" it's ALL BS.. that's when they all pollo loco in a semi circle jerk and laugh at us. the OTHER half of 'BOOK TIME".

it's never taken more than 1.5 hours to swap plugs and coils. two tops! and i'm going from memory but again, i'm not making up stories here. i have a friend that works on these things 10 hours a day. i guess ya learn shortcuts along the way.

and re $; if i swap plugs and coils and oil and other little sh*t that has been bugging me but could wait for the next "house call", its a cpl c notes max. this dude had a good day job. he makes double moonlighting than he does 9/5 ing, no doubt.

 

i think it sucks and the height of preposterousness that some of us we are getting different coils, and sometimes # 5 is different ) the older one??) one..? 996 is it??! W T F!? they've either superseded to 997 part# or they have have not!? i mean really.....

it's 3/4 times now, but i must be reeeaalllyy lucky.

 

I run Bosch 0986221016 Ignition coils, Porsche part number 997.602.104.00. $40 each... Perfect fit, no issues

 

I have a mechanic who changes the plugs in my 03 turbo without removing the rear bumper. He tells me all you need to do is loosen the turbos (not remove them) and have little hands. Go figure.

 

.....exactly. and i have a midget. thank you.

 

It takes all of 10 minutes to remove the bumper and ICs to give you full access to the coils. Why complicate things? Loosen turbos to change coils? That's funny...

 

my short person doesn't actually loosen the turbos. it just looked good on paper. he disappears underneath the car for an hour and my plug/coils are new after he climbs back out after handing me empty bottles of carta blanca beru and bosch boxes.

 

Whatever gets the jobs done. With that said, I also belong to the bumper off crew. It's just too easy to take everything off and have a clear view of everything.
This is the current state of my car. Waiting for the new exhaust

 

Since I started this mess, I will at least try to sort out the part numbers and summarize the findings.

Part Numbers
From what I've gleaned in this and other threads, Pelicanparts.com.

Basically, it seems the 997.602.102.xx and 997.602.104.00 part numbers are of the older, shorter style that use allen bolts. The 997.602.104.02 are the new, taller style that use the torx bolts.

A major complicating factor is that the manufacturers like Beru/Bosch use their own part numbers, sometimes with and sometimes without a cross-reference to the Porsche part #.

Here are the details:



Installation
-No reported issues with new style in any cylinders except #5. Some of us have had problems installing the taller coil in cylinder #5, others haven't. Perhaps there is some variation as only a mm or two is the difference between easy and no dice. They did not fit my '03 X50, but did fit OK on someone's 2004.

-The heat shields that sit over the coils on the passenger side require about 5-8mm of spacers to clear the taller bolts on the new style coils. I can't imagine this varying from car to car.

-Porsche has a TSB about this # 2820 58/12 (actually it's about the cracking issue but covers replacement part #s and spacers required). However, if you are seeking enlightenment, look elsewhere. It seems to cover every model *except* the 996 Turbos.