GP0256

Hey all, I have found a TON of “How-To’s” on how to change plugs and coils on a 991 Carrera and GT3, but not the turbo. I can tell you, the rear-most plug on the drivers side will definitely force you to swear, but it can be done!

Tools:

5/8 Magnetic Spark Plug Socket (991.1)
- I was told this is a 12pt 14mm on the 991.2 but look it up if you have a 991.2

7mm deep socket

8mm deep socket

10mm deep socket

12mm deep socket

14mm deep socket

14mm combination wrench

3/8 ratchet extensions - 4”, 6” and 8-10”

3/8 Swivel joint for ratchet

Torque Wrench set to 22 lb/ft

Torx T25 & T30

Reverse Torx socket set (8mm deep well works on there as well as a hack/trick!)

Channel lock Pliers

Needle nose pliers

2 flat head screwdrivers

Oil catch pan in case the turbo j pipe has oil in it

If you own a 3/8” pneumatic or electric ratchet, life will be easier!

I am not going to go through all the steps to Jack up the car safely, remove the rear wheels, remove the spoiler, remove the tail lights and remove the rear bumper, that part is on you! This is Step # 1!

Step 2: remove the Intercoolers:
- start by removing the rear fender liner held in by a 10mm nut and 3 more T25 Torx screws
- Remove the entire Intercooler and frame, not just the Intercooler itself. This is actually easier!
- Remove the intake tube clamps from the air intake and slide the ribbed connectors off
-Take 2 screwdrivers and remove the hard tubing from the Intercooler to y-pipe and the Intercooler to turbo. You do this by sliding a flat head screwdriver into both sides of the clip at about 4 and 8 o’clock if the black plastic clip is 12. Slide them off
-using pliers, disconnect the rubber tube from the Intercooler and slide it off out of the way
-Remove the various 10mm, 14mm and torx bolts from the frame of the car and the heat shield
-remove the intercoolers

Step 3: Remove the cold side J-pipe from the turbo to the Intercooler with the reverse torx but or 8mm socket and remove it from both sides of the car

Step 4: Remove the head shields from the engine in front of the coil packs. There are 2 reverse torx screws holding it in and a wire for the exhaust temp probe you need to remove from the clips. If you want a really good life hack here, take an 8mm ratcheting combination wrench and easily take the one off behind the turbo snail shell!

Step 5: remove the 12mm Nut from the “wishbone” holding the top of the drivers side turbo in place. Remove the bolt and set it aside. If you don’t do this, you will never get the coil out!

Step 6: Remove the Torx screws from the coil packs. They are super touchy so take car during this step and also, when you reinstall them, barely snug it in! You will need a number of extensions and the 3/8 swivel joint to get this done with the torx 30 bit

Step 7: unplug the coil packs

Step 8: remove the coil packs. These are all super easy EXCEPT the one towards the rear of the car on the drivers side. For this one, you need to “click” the coil pack so you can get it out. Basically, you are twisting it to a point where the coil pack will BARELY slide out. You will have to wiggle it and pull pretty hard but you can do it, just be patient!

Here is a video: https://youtu.be/DlRZy45w_fc

Step 9: take the old plugs out and put new in. Use your 5/8 magnetic spark plug socket here. You will need about every extension and swivel you have during this step! Note, Porsche says to not put anti seize on the threads so I did not. I did however put dielectric greats on the prongs in the coil packs for good measure. Torque them to 22 lb/ft

Step 10: put it back together and fire it up!

if you have any questions, PM me. If you have any other tricks to share, please do so below!

Big Swole

We had to figure a lot of this stuff out on our own too. I had a little help from the forum.

I posted about it in my thread too.

Once done I was glad we did it ourselves.

Beezupra

Excellent - thanks!

worf928

I did that job last week.

aft86

It's a PITA!

GP0256

yeah, it sucked but saved me a TON of $$$

how was your experience?

worf928

I’d rather change the plugs on the Turbo than shave with a cheese grater. But, not by a wide margin.

There’s some discussion with a few tidbits about the job, intermixed with other stuff, starting here:

https://rennlist.com/forums/991-turb...l#post18119436

through post 4967.

It’s not hard, but vexing since you have to do a lot of digging. Also, how long and skinny are your fingers will have a significant impact on how much disassembly is required.

I don’t know how to describe the skill level required, but I’d not call it a beginner task by far.

aft86

For anyone doing this, I would also advise to pick yourself up a set of swivel ratchet wrenches, if you dont already have a set. A head lamp will come in very handy!

worf928

You mean flex-head ratcheting wrenches? If so, yeah, I don’t know how anyone works on Porsches without them.

If not, then post a link; sounds interesting.

One wrench set that I found indispensable were these “deep socket” extra long flex-head ratcheting wrenches. The “deep” part lets you get to some of the fasteners that are recessed.

biff0rz

So do the intercoolers really need to come off to do this job?

Peeblesmx445

I and some others have done this without removing the rear bumper and intercoolers. I did have the exhaust out and the rear most cylinders are tricky to access but with the correct tools it can be done.

biff0rz

Thanks, that's encouraging. Do you have any tools you'd recommend that make the job a lot easier? I bought an extension kit recently that has a ton of extension lengths, swivels, and adapters to switch between 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 and includes all of the associated swivels and extensions needed. I was planning on purchasing some of the tools described above like the swivel head rachet wrenches.

Peeblesmx445

Sounds like you mostly have what you need, the ratcheting wrenches will make things easier as well especially getting to the heat shield bolts.

pfbz

Technically, no.
Practically, yes.

Removing the rear bumper cover on these cars is really not a big deal. It's designed to come off. Intercooler racks quickly follow. The good part is that once you have removed the cover, intercooler, and heat shields, the access is great.

aft86

A sparkplug puller will come in handy as well.