90k service is coming up, should I do it myself?
#1
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90k service is coming up, should I do it myself?
I took a quick look at my odometer this morning and it looks like I'm going to be due for the 90k service soon.
I'm trying to determine whether this is something I should tackle on my own or not. Brake fluid flush and oil changes I've done so I can easily handle those. The belts have recently been changed since I had my alternator replaced a few months ago. So that leaves us with the spark plugs and possibly the coils.
Is this the sort of job I can tackle with just jackstands and a little more than beginner experience? Or is this service something bigger that I should just have my Indy take care of?
I've got some time in a couple of weeks where I can actually have the car off the road for a week if I need to.
I'm trying to determine whether this is something I should tackle on my own or not. Brake fluid flush and oil changes I've done so I can easily handle those. The belts have recently been changed since I had my alternator replaced a few months ago. So that leaves us with the spark plugs and possibly the coils.
Is this the sort of job I can tackle with just jackstands and a little more than beginner experience? Or is this service something bigger that I should just have my Indy take care of?
I've got some time in a couple of weeks where I can actually have the car off the road for a week if I need to.
#2
Parts Specialist
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Renntech has a detailed list of items covered... read THEN decide. if you do it, simply print out the list and record it. Keep it with your other paperwork...
IMO, it can be done at home
IMO, it can be done at home
#3
Rocky Mountain High
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90K service includes changing differential fluid. I had my transmission fluid changed also.
#4
Three Wheelin'
You only have to change the coils if there bad or going bad. If they have cracks, replace them, if not, reinstall.
If you don't drop the exhaust the plugs will take some time but they can be done with the right amount of patience,swivel sockets, and extensions.
If you don't drop the exhaust the plugs will take some time but they can be done with the right amount of patience,swivel sockets, and extensions.
#6
Rocky Mountain High
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Oh... right... I forgot that there are a few RWD Porsches out there...
#7
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Six speed and yeah, only RWD.
From what I've read it seems that dropping the exhaust makes life a bit easier as does having the right tools. I think I'm going to attempt this one. I've changed plugs before so aside from the crammed conditions hopefully this should be doable.
From what I've read it seems that dropping the exhaust makes life a bit easier as does having the right tools. I think I'm going to attempt this one. I've changed plugs before so aside from the crammed conditions hopefully this should be doable.
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#9
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Do It
#10
My thoughts from another post:
I have a '99 C4, 89K miles. The service for 90K includes spark plugs, rear and front transaxle fluid, air filter and a bunch of inspections. I decided to do this myself.
Here was my experience:
Spark plugs- not that hard, space is very limited and I spent more time bending and contorting to get a good angle to twist and turn the bolts. Allow maybe 5-8 hours your first time as it is very tedious and many breaks are necessary.
I found one cracked ignition coil and another ready to crack. Also there was some oil seeping out of 3 spark plug tubes. I ordered 6 new coils and the spark plug tube gaskets from Sunset- a few days delay for shipping.
I used a boat transom plug to remove the spark plug tubes. Again space is very tight and it was tedious to keep trying and trying. On my car (3.4L engine) the spark plug tubes can be removed without removing the spark plugs.
Now I am ready to put it all back together and I lift the car by the engine lift point. I get the dreaded puddle- the engine mount split. I am in the camp that says it was a matter of time as engine mounts are wear items. A call to Pelican Parts gets 2 new engine mounts on the way. A few more days delay. Engine mounts are an easy DIY.
The draining of the rear transaxle is easy and straight forward. The front did not go well. I rounded off the fill plug. It took 2 weeks to get a new plug as the only source was Porsche in Germany. I ended up having an indy shop get the rounded plug out. I went with porsche fluid.
Other hints:
If you do this on jack stands like I did, wear safety glasses. Stuff will fall in your eyes. When you screw the spark plugs in, tape the socket to the extension.
After all of that I have not noticed any huge difference in the car. Gear whine decreased some but everything else is about the same.
Hope this helps as guys start to see 90K.
I have a '99 C4, 89K miles. The service for 90K includes spark plugs, rear and front transaxle fluid, air filter and a bunch of inspections. I decided to do this myself.
Here was my experience:
Spark plugs- not that hard, space is very limited and I spent more time bending and contorting to get a good angle to twist and turn the bolts. Allow maybe 5-8 hours your first time as it is very tedious and many breaks are necessary.
I found one cracked ignition coil and another ready to crack. Also there was some oil seeping out of 3 spark plug tubes. I ordered 6 new coils and the spark plug tube gaskets from Sunset- a few days delay for shipping.
I used a boat transom plug to remove the spark plug tubes. Again space is very tight and it was tedious to keep trying and trying. On my car (3.4L engine) the spark plug tubes can be removed without removing the spark plugs.
Now I am ready to put it all back together and I lift the car by the engine lift point. I get the dreaded puddle- the engine mount split. I am in the camp that says it was a matter of time as engine mounts are wear items. A call to Pelican Parts gets 2 new engine mounts on the way. A few more days delay. Engine mounts are an easy DIY.
The draining of the rear transaxle is easy and straight forward. The front did not go well. I rounded off the fill plug. It took 2 weeks to get a new plug as the only source was Porsche in Germany. I ended up having an indy shop get the rounded plug out. I went with porsche fluid.
Other hints:
If you do this on jack stands like I did, wear safety glasses. Stuff will fall in your eyes. When you screw the spark plugs in, tape the socket to the extension.
After all of that I have not noticed any huge difference in the car. Gear whine decreased some but everything else is about the same.
Hope this helps as guys start to see 90K.
#11
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Do it, but drop the exhuast its only 5 bolts on each side makes the change sooo much easier.
#12
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Ok I decided to do it myself.
Now I figured since this is going to take me a while, I might as well do some of the "while you were in there" tasks.
So do you all recommend also replace all six coils and spark plug tubes/o-rings? None of them are having any problems now but I'm just thinking, if they lasted this long then this should be a repair that will eliminate any surprises in the future. Is that the general thought here?
Now I figured since this is going to take me a while, I might as well do some of the "while you were in there" tasks.
So do you all recommend also replace all six coils and spark plug tubes/o-rings? None of them are having any problems now but I'm just thinking, if they lasted this long then this should be a repair that will eliminate any surprises in the future. Is that the general thought here?
#15
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So do you all recommend also replace all six coils and spark plug tubes/o-rings? None of them are having any problems now but I'm just thinking, if they lasted this long then this should be a repair that will eliminate any surprises in the future. Is that the general thought here?
you dont have spart plug tubs like the 3.4
If you plan on doing some other items check the AOS for leaks (BTW there is a new one in the f/s section for $70 !!) I would pull the tensioners and check for wear, replace o-rings, clean the radiators, do a brake flush.... hmmm, thinking of more later