How To: Spark Plug Change 3.0T

[saxon]

well i decided to change out my plugs at 35k miles and i was looking around for a how to on this forum and couldnt find one .
updated Nov 4th 2017 - updates are underlined and in bold

this is assuming you have taken off the intake box already (many how to's on that)

these are the tools you will need:
small pry bar
flat head screw driver
needle nose or small plyers
1/4 ratchet
t20 socket for 1/4 ratchet
3/8 ratchet
6" extension 3/8
spark plug socket
update: Nov 4th 2017- i used a duralast spark plug socket 75-499 which is magnetic and a swivel extension. this made getting the old plugs out and new plugs in very easy even on the drivers side.
10mm socket

estimated time: 1 hour- updated November 4th 2017, i just changed plugs on a car with aftermarket intake in 30 minutes
difficulty: 3 out of a scale of 1-10, 10 being difficult (the hardest part for me was loosening the coil pack wiring clips)
update- NOv 4th 2017 video on how to loosen coil pack clips https://youtu.be/r4JP0Y6byxc

20140605_183524 by saxonbrian2, on Flickr



spark plugs- i bought NGK part # pfr8s8eg, i bought them from europa parts
update November 4th 2017- for dual pulley i am running NGK bkr8eix gapped to .024 NGK part number 2668
http://www.europaparts.com/spark-plug-101905611g.html im sure they can be bought cheaper elsewhere but i was buying a charcoal cabin filter, oil filter and a couple other parts at the same time.



updated plugs for dual pulley-



1) first start by letting the car cool down

2) take off either your intake or stock airbox/intake

3) i started on the passenger side
- remove the 2 t20 torx bolts holding down the wiring for the coils (circled in blue)

2014-06-05-20-24-34 by saxonbrian2, on Flickr

4) unclip the 2 clips for the sensors shown here (arrows in red), to do this you pull up the gray part of the flip and squeeze the top part where the gray is
update- this is not needed Nov 4th 2017

2014-06-05-20-24-34 by saxonbrian2, on Flickr

20140605_175348 by saxonbrian2, on Flickr


5) push down on the clip with the flat head screw driver and wiggle the clip off the coil
update- Nov 4th 2017 watch youtube video on how to remove https://youtu.be/r4JP0Y6byxc

2014-06-05 20.27.55 by saxonbrian2, on Flickr



6) pull away the wiring from all of the coils

20140605_175329 by saxonbrian2, on Flickr

7)use a pry bar to gently pop out the coil packs

20140605_182435 by saxonbrian2, on Flickr

8) use the 3/8 ratchet , 6" extension and spark plug socket to remove the spark plugs
update- Nov 4th 2017, use the duralast spark plug socket/extension
(take good pictures and send them to your tuner to see if the tune needs any adjustments)

20140605_182234 by saxonbrian2, on Flickr

9) install new plugs and tq to 22 ftlbs

10) put everything back in the same order making sure the coil plugs clip into place securely


passenger side:

1) use the 1/4 ratchet with the t20 bit to remove the 2 bolts holding the wiring harness down

2) un bolt 2 10mm nuts from radiator reservoir

20140605_180437 by saxonbrian2, on Flickr

3) undo the clip for the hose going into the top of the reservoir

20140605_180658 by saxonbrian2, on Flickr

4) undo the 3 sensors that are at the end of the sensor - the 2 blue are visible, the red is buried a little bit and i used needle nose pliers to unplug it
Update- Nov 4th 2017 this is not needed

2014-06-05 20.47.05 by saxonbrian2, on Flickr

5) same as the drivers side, you will need to unclip the coil packs, this is a bit more difficult because the coolant reservoir gets in the way

6) move the coolant reservoir as needed, it has a black plug in the bottom that if you pull up on will allow the reservoir to move around just enough to get the ratchet and extension down into the spark plug

7) install new plugs

8) check all connections and make sure the coolant line is hooked back up and all coil packs are connected securely to the wiring harness



if anyone else has any tips let me know and i will edit the post, i hope this helps!

[Buckeye_S4]

Thanks. I may do this soon myself.

[Moose201]

Someday this will be a handy reference for me. Thanks for taking the time to post the steps.

[saxon]

Thanks. I may do this soon myself.

Someday this will be a handy reference for me. Thanks for taking the time to post the steps.

No problem, I hadn't seen anything for our cars and imagine quite a few people will be getting to the time/mileage where they will need to replace them

[drob23]

I know you frequently get shit from this community, but just wanted to say thanks for writing this reference. I don't need to do this now, but I'm sure in the future this will be helpful.

[SwankPeRFection]

I figured everything was quiet about this because people had done it on their previous Audis and knew it's all pretty much the same.

BTW, if you're worried about marring the coils or valve covers with that wicked pry bar lol, wrap the tip in something. Or just gorilla fingers the coils out.

[bombdiggity]

Nice write up. I was looking for a reference to do it on here, but couldn't find one, so I let the stealership do it for me.

[JRunior]

Great write up! Thanks for the detailed DIY.

[Intrepid One]

Thanks for sharing and taking the pics..I just got mine and was curious about the steps needed to change plugs. I am not a huge DIY'er, but this looks like something that could be handled with little pain..Thanks again..S

[saxon]

I figured everything was quiet about this because people had done it on their previous Audis and knew it's all pretty much the same.

BTW, if you're worried about marring the coils or valve covers with that wicked pry bar lol, wrap the tip in something. Or just gorilla fingers the coils out.

im sure that would work, painters tape or something if your a perfectionist, although this didnt leave marks on either part

one might be to find a rubber plug that can stop the small coolant hose from leaking once unplugged from the reservoir

[vwong]

one might be to find a rubber plug that can stop the small coolant hose from leaking once unplugged from the reservoir

If you use a long string to hang it from the hood latch, you shouldn't have any leak.

When I did mine couple months ago, I don't recall undoing the sensors. Anyway, nice write up.

[saxon]

If you use a long string to hang it from the hood latch, you shouldn't have any leak.

When I did mine couple months ago, I don't recall undoing the sensors. Anyway, nice write up.

i wasnt sure if it was needed but it gave me much more room to pull the harness down as the passenger side was pretty tight

[VR2V8]

I figured everything was quiet about this because people had done it on their previous Audis and knew it's all pretty much the same.

BTW, if you're worried about marring the coils or valve covers with that wicked pry bar lol, wrap the tip in something. Or just gorilla fingers the coils out.

Or loop a zip tie around the coilpack and use it as a handle to pull it out.

[IanCH]

I always just use my hands to pull coil packs out, not that it's easy.

Great writeup saxon, I didnt detach the upper electrics that you did, but its an easy step so no reason not to really.

[audistealth]

Thanks for the writeup. If only we had a mod that could create a DIY master thread, sticky it, and link this in.

[saxon]

Thanks for the writeup. If only we had a mod that could create a DIY master thread, sticky it, and link this in.

Thanks, I agree a sticky with how to and links to questions that are asked every day would be great

[Buckeye_S4]

Well I tried today and failed. Started on the left side and couldn't get the clips to let go of the coil packs so I decided it wasn't worth breaking any plastic pieces and put it all back together. Upside is I have an appointment on Thursday with a verbal quote of 1hr labor which I'm totally okay with. First car I've ever not changed plugs on but oh well.

[S4$Bill]

Nice write up - thanks for the info! Too bad things have gotten this complex to just change plugs.

[chaos2984]

Looks like a good write up sir for people unsure of what to do with plug changes. Helps the DIYers and gives them insite of what to take off and people unsure of what to do. But for people knowing what to do just some reinforcements or a tip or two

[saxon]

Well I tried today and failed. Started on the left side and couldn't get the clips to let go of the coil packs so I decided it wasn't worth breaking any plastic pieces and put it all back together. Upside is I have an appointment on Thursday with a verbal quote of 1hr labor which I'm totally okay with. First car I've ever not changed plugs on but oh well.

I felt the same way, but a big flat head and a lot of pressure and they come right off

[chaos2984]

I felt the same way, but a big flat head and a lot of pressure and they come right off

Those clips realease really easy you just have to know how to work them. you have to insect a pocket screwdriver between the release tab and the body and pry down on the release tab with the tip of the screwdriver pivoting on the connection body. Once you head the "Click" the connector will slide right off. Honestly once you see how to do it its really easy. Sometimes you have to move the body of the connector a little but you always get that click and then you can pull it right off.

[GrkA4]

Great writeup. In another 10k I'll be using this.

[dangerxtrem]

Thanks for the writeup! Did help alot! It took be around 1 hour and just watch out when moving the engine coolant reservoir, it could leak a little bit....

[Megulpha]

So ECS has plugs and new coils for like $250. Good idea to just go ahead and get new coils while doing this job wouldn't hurt? I have a ton of miles on mine. So I will be doing this soon and using this as a reference! Thanks saved me money on a mechanic.

[mr shickadance]

new coils are kind of overkill, if the old ones are working, why fix them.

Also, to add onto this, those coil pack connections? sometimes it's better to push in (a little bit) then push down on the tab (the tab you use a flat head for) and you will very much hear a more audible click when the tab is unlocked.

great write up tho.

[infinkc]

So ECS has plugs and new coils for like $250. Good idea to just go ahead and get new coils while doing this job wouldn't hurt? I have a ton of miles on mine. So I will be doing this soon and using this as a reference! Thanks saved me money on a mechanic.

I ordered mine from an audi parts store for $195 shipped, so there are places to get these OEM parts for a lot less.

Part Number Part Description Quantity Core Price Price Total
101905611G electrical, ignition system, spark plug 3.0 LITER, GAS 6 $0.00 $12.39 $74.34
06E905115E IGNIT.COIL 6 $0.00 $17.50 $105.00
Sub Total $179.34
Shipping method - United States Priori Shipping $11.77
Handling Fee $0.00
Tax $0.00
Total $191.11

[Megulpha]

I ordered mine from an audi parts store for $195 shipped, so there are places to get these OEM parts for a lot less.

Yeah I figured there would be a cheaper place to find them. I haven't ordered mine yet so thanks for looking out!

[PitchS4]

FWIW I didn't disconnect anything other then the harnesses from the coil packs. Not sure why you removed the sensors? The harness slides off that is all you need to remove the coils.

I also did not disconnect anything from the coolant tank. I unscrewed it and was careful moving it. Just some time saving tips. I was done in less then 30min the 2nd time I did it.

[slowbmw]

Has anyone considered completing the plug change ahead of time before 35k? I am tuned APR ST1, and was curious if anyone thought it might be a good diea to do early bc of the tune.

P.S. I drive the car relatively nicely, with random sprints. Also, dont hate on me, but I will be going APR ST2 in the spring.

[mr shickadance]

Has anyone considered completing the plug change ahead of time before 35k? I am tuned APR ST1, and was curious if anyone thought it might be a good diea to do early bc of the tune.

P.S. I drive the car relatively nicely, with random sprints. Also, dont hate on me, but I will be going APR ST2 in the spring.

it can't hurt.

[SeaBassHWD]

Tag

[eurotic]

For those that are having trouble with the clips, here is what I suggest as I have also tried and failed and broken clips until I figured out the proper way...
It's a bit awkward but first squeeze/push the connector onto the coil pack like you are putting in on tightly, while doing that pull back on the tab, then while still holding the tab back slide the entire connector off the coil.

Once you get it apart you can see what it really happening. the coil has a small "hook". The tab on the connector has a small notch/hole in it where the "hook" on the coil goes. If there is too much pressure on that point, when you pull back on the tab it will not lift off the hook. Pressing the connector onto the coil releases the pressure.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents on the subject.

[EHesh14]

Can anyone chime in on how you went about getting the right side spark plug out closest to the front. I removed the screws on the reservoir, but still can't seem to get a good angle to stick the extension in.

[paul]

You can also get a coil pack puller

[infinkc]

Can anyone chime in on how you went about getting the right side spark plug out closest to the front. I removed the screws on the reservoir, but still can't seem to get a good angle to stick the extension in.

I found using a wobble extension made the job a lot easier as some spots if you had the socket on the extension you could not get it in the hole easy. If you don't have a wobble extension, hold the socket in near the valve cover then connect the extension.

[saxon]

Different length extensions with wobble heads help a lot

[whts4]

GREAT write-up. Thanks.

[ihkskim]

how do you keep ur engine bay so clean

[moyenecorniche]

Good write up, as I was scrolling about for the B6 S4 and see that there is practically no difference from B6 to B8 other than less plugs and a bit more confinement on the coolant tank area.
I would add that there is a missing element here and that is spark plug gap. It is not a guarantee that your plugs are going to be gapped at the proper tolerance. More than likely they will not be. In all the years of wrenching our own cars / race cars in my family we have always regapped all of the plugs. Never installed fresh out of their boxes. All Iridium NGK BKR6EIX

For the 4.2 V8 the gap is 0.32 but some have gone as low as 0.28 I found 3 of the plugs I was about to install around 0.15 and others around 0.40
So plugs need to be checked and adjusted with a feeler gauge before installing.

[Legacykid]

Anyone know the stock gap? looking at rockauto site now seems cheaper than others.