After getting my P030 misfire code last week I got my new coils and plugs and started to replace them today. First comment: what a PITA!!! I finally took some of the advice here and pulled my mufflers. I broke nearly every rusted bolt trying to get them off. I don't really consider that a bad thing as I'll replace all of them with stainless steel. Is anyone else here shocked at the fact that Porsche put such crappy hardware in the places that get subjected to the elements the most? How much would that have increased the cost of our cars? $100? OK done ranting....

I got all of the coils and plugs replaced except for the passenger side furthest back. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get to that one? I tried every configuration of tools in my arsenal but I can't even get to my hand up to the electrical connector to unplug it, let alone figure out how to I would get the coil and plug out.

Any and all advice it GREATLY APPRECIATED. Thanks in advance.

 

Did you see the ratcheting bit driver I suggested in the other thread you just posted in? Even though you have hex instead of torx, you can use it with the right hex bit.

 

Did you get the muffler bracket off too? I didn't find much of any problem once I got the mufflers and brackets off.

 

if you use the Proper Porsche Tool, its super Easy no need to Remove Muffler, I have done mine under 2 hours all 6

 

What does this Porsche tool look like?

 

pfbz..yes I saw it...searching for one today thanks

aviography...I took the mufflers off but I couldn't see how to take the bracket off...2 bolts at the bottom..but the top seems to just go into the top of the engine somewhere...can't see anything and can't get my hand up there to feel anything...

 

+1. If there is a special Porsche tool to remove coil pack bolts or spark plugs, I've never heard of it.

 

What bolts did you break? The cans just have 3 nuts each and the cans are off. The only other hardware to loosen are the ones by the cats. You snapped those?

 

Pete...I snapped them all...except I think one of the clamp bolts...

 

Big shout out to pfbz!!! Found this little set at Lowes...if you don't have one and you plan on doing your coils...go get it. It comes with a number of torx bits as well as a 4mm and 5mm allen. I needed the 5mm allen and the ratchet is just the right size to be able to work within the pace behind the muffler bracket. So after a little patience and having this tool, I was able to finish the coils and plugs...now it's on to figuring out all of the bolts I need to replace!! Thanks to all for the advice.

 

Is your car MK II? My is Mk I, unless there is a difference between the 3.4L and 3.6L on how the muffler brackets are secured to the engine block.

There are 3 bolts securing the muffler bracket to another bracket on the side of the engine block, that bracket does not have to come off from the engine block.

See Figure 9 of this Pelican Parts link http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm

How about the heat shield plate, I assume you took that off? You must have because you can't get to even the other coil packs if you didn't.

It's been two years since I worked on the coil packs, so I don't recall how exactly I got to the fasteners for the coil packs, but I certainly don't remember it being difficult at all, and I didn't get any special tools, just used the tools I had in hand.

 

Yes, what is this tool you speak of?

 

Couple of different 'brackets', I think this is what is confusing a few...

The small intermediate bracket (#23) comes off with the muffler when you remove those three nuts/studs in a triangular pattern. If you reverse the long muffler bolts (#24 & #25) after the first time you pull the muffler,, then you can leave bracket #23 in place and just remove the long bolts the next time you need to pull the mufflers.

The large exhaust bracket (#17) is what makes changing the rear plugs and coil packs a huge PITA. I've never had mine off, but my understanding is that is it not easy to get to the upper bolts

 

Thanks for the help on the tools. I was wondering why the pasenger side was more dificult? I can tell that this is going to be a PITA project, but I will have the time over the holidays to do it. I'm ording parts this week. I've already added the tool recomendation from pfbz and will pull the mufflers to see what I'm doing. Any other tips?

 

Pre Spray the 5 bolts/nuts that you are going to have to remove to remove the mufflers with PB or something...do it liberally and let it sit...do it again and let it sit...do it again and let it sit..Not sure if that would have prevented me from snapping so many (I did spray and let it sit but only once)...otherwise...invest in some good drill bits to drill out the broken bolts!