techman1

Wow!
Just finished a pretty major service- Plugs, plug wires, lower cover gaskets, first oil change. Here are some tips, if I can help others:

Oil- lotta oil, just used a large bin, then used the large mity--vac I use to change oil on the BMW to suck it up and transport for disposal.

Was a little scared of #6 bottom spark plug with all the negative hype. Someone else was also, it appeared to be an original, Beru? All others were bosch! Since I was doing a plug wire change, I had removed the clutch vent tube and the engine tin on the right side. #6 bottom was off in 5 minutes!!! Doing just a plug change? I reccomend doing that prep to make it easier.

Leaking valve cover, but the paperwork I received with the car said it had been done recently. Wow, I know why it was leaking! Ya think they ran out of gaskets?

Everything went well, plug wires were replaced with wires from Alex. They worked perfectly, and great docs to help!

IXLR8

Incredible! Who were the clowns that worked on it last?

Were you able to clean-out all that sealant completely?

Jeff96-993

Wow. Seeing that pic, just makes me think "someone should be shot".

Those gaskets ain't that expensive. And that last spark plug ain't that tough. Lazy, and someone got ripped off. Luckily, it wasn't you. Good job for fixing it properly.

techman1

Yep, pretty easy cleanout.
So easy I was a little mad, thinking of how easy a piece could break off and block an oil passage!!

IXLR8

No worries! The oil pump screen or oil filters would trap it.

g_murray

When my indy was changing all my spark plugs (for my 30K service) I made him save then show me all the spark-plugs ...all 12!
I did this because this was the FIRST time I was doing business with him, and didn't want the wool to be pulled over my eyes. I needn't have worried and have stuck with him ever since.

That gasket is apalling.

Gerry

techman1

Yep, the gasket kinda surprised me, the local shop has a pretty good rep.
Guess the old saying "Trust, but verify" comes to mind!

skl2

just did my 60k service as well...wasnt too bad IMO either. Agreed with the prep work - I originally thought I was just going to work around everything but decided to get stuff out of the way and it worked well.

Mike J

I have seen a few cars with that kind of sealer on the gaskets - so its not that uncommon. Same for the chain covers. Its to cover up when the "mechanic" (and I use that term loosely) does not understand how to get a good seal on these engines. I found it takes a lot of work to clean them up and get every trace of sealer off the cover - its usually in the grooves, and of course most sealers are designed to be solvent resistant......

Good job otherwise. When I bought my Targa years ago, on my first plug change, I too found #6 upper was not changed, different brand than all the rest. The bills indicated they had all the been changed, including charging the PO for 12 plugs!

Cheers,

Mike

Stealth 993

That just sucks! I never understand why sound one would put in the labor, then do a half *** job with parts.

I have some "gasket sealer" stuff that never hardened, it just kind of stays tacky & seals really well. My old E30 M3 was famous for the ITB's leaking at the gaskets due to the weight of the intake plenum. This stuff would permanently fix the issue.

My gaskets are not leaking, but my timing covers are starting to weep on the C4, so this stuff will most likely be used there, just just a little, not like that.

element

I just ran my new plug wires and have the mufflers, bumper, etc off to get access to everything.. think i will pull all the plugs (esp #6) to check them while im in there. For working on the plugs i am thinking of finding a tube that fits right, so i cant loose anything - lots of other cars i have worked on have plug tubes.

phil.

IXLR8

And if one has to verify, one might as well do the job themselves in the first place.

element

removing the engine tin - i am missing a bot (M8 x 18). anyone have a good source? Porsche one is $6 and has a long turnaround..

I guess just a good online fastener source.

phil.

techman1

There were 4 on mine, 3 allen head, and the one with the 10 mm head near the vent tube. Yours?

boman993

Nice thread with great tips!!! I will be diving into a "major service" end of March!
This is a nice bit of help! Thanks!