PRSWILL

Yeah- I'd avoid doing the SAI until you need it unless you're pulling the motor. You'll need "baby hands" for this as well - AND a lot of strength- these valves seem to get almost BONDED to the block- I had to pound a 21 MM socket over the valve- which I had broken the top off of- to get it out. If you do decide to go there, put some anti-seize on the threads before you screw them back in. It's a doable job especially if you have a lift ( a friend with one helped me).

LRsCarreraS

Good advice! Any thoughts on what a “perfect” idle should sound/feel like from my last post?

Thx,
LR

PRSWILL

Idle should be around 600-700 RPM and smooth- maybe you have a loose or bad spark plug if it's bobbling as you describe? I had a loose plug a few years ago and i'd get a mis-fire code. I tightened it up ( it was very loose- like almost ready to fall out) and the code stopped.

LRsCarreraS

No codes, but suppose the plugs could be fouled. Will have a look at the plugs. If I understand correctly you can only reach half with the engine in? Only has 46,000 miles but lots of years… what’s the plug interval on these cars?

Thx,
LR

fatmike

Change the plugs and the wires unless you know they’ve been changed recently. It makes a noticeable difference on these cars.

You can reach all the plugs. It’s just a question of how “easily”. You’ll need to remove a fair amount of stuff to get access to them all. Plenty of DIYs out there on it.

Wires are a PITA too.

/

Gbos1

wait a minute… that one spark plug … is a B*tch to get out! If I recall!

LRsCarreraS

Ok, will go through records to see if they were done. As my kids say about video games, I’m a grinder (if it’s physically possible, I’ll keep trying until I get it done…). May be a good excuse to buy some nonstandard tools too…
Thx
LR

MarinS4

So much so that I've seen dealer mechanics skip it. Pretty frustrating trying to trouble shoot a problem only to find that plug was 2x the age of others.

Plugs are a PITA but getting em done gives you a solid foundation to build off of. You now have a known quantity/quality. The other thing I see skipped often is injectors. Having em professionally cleaned and tested always delivers eye opening results. The O rings that hold em in get dried out and may cause vacuum leaks as well.

With spark plugs I go OCD on gapping em. Don't wait till you're getting ready to install to do so. Take your time and treat that measurement the same as any other critical item. While it may not make much of a difference initially as things "wear in" the accuracy of that becomes more important.

Over my years of wrenching I've come to appreciate a finely tuned engine. Optimizing plugs, injectors and valve adjustments (not applicable here) always rewarded me with a silky smooth engine with even mechanical noises.

LRsCarreraS

Yep, spark/air/fuel…. Will have a look at plugs first. What’s the recognized best fuel additive to clean injectors for these cars, short of a professional job?

1998, Ronin (Movie), Audi S8, “We’re gunna need bigger injectors.” One of best car chases ever!

Thx,
LR