The FSM states each coil bolt is one time use, as it stretches whe torqued. However, you can reuse if you're careful not to over torque. Coils don't really jump out randomly. So Imo, you have a choice. Spend about 4 or 5 bucks per bolt, or re use. These AL bolts are super sensitive to over torque. You will quickly learn not to over torque, after you have to buy tools to remove broken shank from the thread hole, in super tight spaces.
I reused mine with no issues but at one point swapped them out too.. good luck.

 

I kind of made a friend with a parts guy at the dealer. Once I found out they're one time use I drove there and got some. I'm afraid I still don't know the cost because he handed them to me for free. Our under panels have damage, one side worse than the other. I'm ordering the one with a gaping hole. The other side is bearable maybe next month or the wife will complain at my spending....

 

Sitting here looking at the 8 Bosch plugs that I got, feeling uncomfortable that they have the big fat center electrode meaning old type/non-fancy metals. There are other choices wondering if they work as well? Of course Porsche says ONLY use approved plugs....

Found the "official" spark plug tool, just in case anyone does not happen to have the 5/8" one as noted by @ciaka :

https://porsche.snapon.com/special-t...temId=27830184

I noticed it does not help solve the tight fit of cylinders 3,4, nor 8...

 

I tried all kinds if tools for plugs. I found best fit is to have the socket, plus one of those knuckle joints going into a 1/4 extension (which is thinnest of them all) . This way socket swivels on the extension. Extension can't be too long either.
Yeah, no silver bullet here though. We want to drive Porsches, then we just have to adapt to their design "features". Lol

 

I took some time and also pushed through to get this done. Ended up scratching the cyl-8 coil pack in two places putting it back in but car runs beautifully on the Bosch plugs I had from long ago.

Some pictures.

Released this to get at plug 5 on GTS. I believe all those vacuum tubes run the flaps to the auxiliary intake filters.

As originally installed.

Someone noted this was stuck? I used this to pry it loose.

Good setup for cyl-8. I think I added a short 3" extension for cyl-4

Not too bad, that cyl #8

 

My GearWrench torque wrench has angle measurement. I select PA mode and then set torque to 4.00 Nm and Angle to 90 degrees. It shows the final torque value after turning the 90 degrees extra. It was around 8.xx Nm for 7 of them. First cylinder coil ended in the 7.xx Nm IIRC. Maybe turned too slowly on that first one.

Plugs looked fouled. If you're going to do intake valve cleaning via @NormalFellow method with CRC cleaner I suggest you do that just prior to replacing your spark plugs. I was planning on doing one at 50k mi. At 49,xxx mi car said Intermediate Service due so I swapped in new plugs. I don't want to foul them so I won't be cleaning at 50k mi.

 

How did your sparks look after 50k? I did mine after 40k miles, per Porsche intervals and thought it was a bit wasteful.

 

Ours is a NA not turbo my apologies as it doesn't quite line up with the thread title. We are the 2nd or 3rd owner and don't know the history before 2 years ago regarding spark plug change. Right now at 49k mi and 8 years so I just followed the every 4 years interval.

I would say looking at the gap and comparing with new plugs it may have been unnecessary, could have cleaned up the plugs and put them back. (I did not measure the gap as I don't have the gauge readily available). Every one had this black carbon buildup. Looks like the accumulation I saw when I pulled up the intake manifold and took a peek at the intake valve stems. I deduce it's from intake valve cleaning via CRC Intake Valve Cleaner.

The "gunk" I will try to capture in this picture...

You can see it clearly on the washer at the base of the threads.

​​​​​​I did notice the new plugs have teeny tiny little projections on the ground electrodes closest to the center electrodes that were gone on the old plugs. Should have snapped a picture!

EDIT- All I could find online are pictures of very well cleaned but used FGR5NQE04 (for the NA V8) plugs. Had to draw what I mean, definitely not Picasso quality! 😂

 

Thank you so much Ciaka for the EXCEPTIONAL write-up.

I really appreciate all your time and effort that went into putting this together, for the benefit of the community !


I have a 2011 Panamera BASE / 49k miles, and I would like to change plugs and coils on it this weekend. The coils were never changed...only the plugs were done once, at 29k mls/Sept.2016 ( at the dealer :-( )


I have several questions though...

1) Does Porsche recommend we use any type of anti-seize compound on the threads of the new / old spark plugs, when we install them ? I don't think I saw this addressed anywhere.

2) If YES, which one should we use: the regular silver-coloured one or the high-temperature copper-coloured one ?

3) Could you please clarify a bit what is the torque value for NEW spark plugs (as in never-before-installed) ? At the very beginning / top (line 6 of your text), you state 19 ft-lbs, but further down in Pic.27 you state 23.5 ft/lbs


Many thanks, Horatio.

 

Porsche does not give info on anti seize compound. As long as your car is cold at time if change you should have no problems. I did not use anti seize compound on ptt, but used on my wife's toyota. Have copper based one. Do up to you I think you'll be fine either way.

If you use one, I would go with copper.

If you install brand new plug, it's torque is 19 ftlbs. If you install plug that has already been installed before, it's torque is 23 ftlbs (sometimes you remove plugs to check things then you reinstall it, this is what this torque is for).

Go for it,, take time and pride in all details,, it will save you hundreds over going to dealer,, and you will likely do a better job,, because it's YOUR car.. Take care.

 

There are numerous threads saying that Bosch plugs do not need anti-size, according to Porsche. I think this is B.S. All spark plugs benefit from anti-size. There is absolutely no loss of electrical contact using anti-size - claims that anti-size insulates plugs are groundless (sic). Silver anti-size works just fine.
As for spark plug torque value, it is just not that exotic. I have installed spark plugs in both iron and aluminum heads for over 50 years, and have never used a torque wrench. I just install them "snugly", enough to engage a crush washer (if supplied). Yes, once and only once I overtightened a plug ( Mercedes 280SL) - learned how to use heli-coil.

 

Many thanks indeed Ciaka !
Cheers, H.

 

Porsche does not call for anti size or any lubricant on the plug threads. The torque spec for the plugs is therefore based on dry threads. Applying lubricant (antisize) lowers the nut factor (friction factor) which will result in higher thread stress at the specified torque value. You are threading into aluminum. Porsche (and most vehicle manufacturers) do not specify lubricant on the plugs. This is not by chance or to save a tiny bit of material or labor cost. I suggest you don't try to outsmart the manufacturer engineers. I can say from experience it's likely you will find out why in the long term. Lubricant will build up in the thread root over time, even when applied sparingly. Lubricant (and antisize) has a finite life, particularly in a high heat application such as a spark plug. It is extremely difficult to fully clean the thread in the head and chasing the threads in a aluminum head is not a good idea unless it's a last resort. Over time it will become increasingly difficult to install and remove the plugs when antisize is applied due to buildup and hardening of the lubricant in the thread root.

I suggest following the specified replacement intervals (both time and/or miles), the specified torque values and thread preparation (in this case dry threads) and you won't have any problems.

 

First of all: thank you for this super DIY! - Yesterday I had suddenly misfires and lots of errors in my Panamera 970 V8 non turbo.

Reduced engine power and very hard to drive with, yesterday I parked at the road nearby.
Today I changed the 8 Beru coils at that location (I receive the new Bosch spark plugs in the next days). But still same lumpy misfiring engine running with 8 new coils.
I could drive home with 10km per hour to park the car on my driveway.
Can this also be caused by the spark plugs? We will see after renewing the spark plugs.

My main question now is: What is the problem remains after also renewing the spark plugs? What then to check / measure or renew?
My iCarsoft Pro does not give any engine related errors at this moment.

 

Reduced engine power, misfires, almost always are a result of coils/spark plugs.
Coils/plugs are recommended for replacement each 40,000 miles. Only replace with oem, there are plenty places that give you the proper part number (I even posted the porsche parts catalog link on this forum to use).
Turbo issues, fuel issues can also result in reduced power.
If you drive in sport or sport + mode, the issue will show much quicker since computer monitors firing, fuel, etc, and in those modes, will put car into limp mode if even one ring is not right.
So til you get plugs and coils replaced, turn off sport/sport+ modes.
Make sure to not over torque coil bolt (snaps easy, it's aluminim). Torque spark plugs correctly too.