c4s911

997.2 S. Coming up on 4 yrs, 17,000 miles. Dealer suggests changing the plugs....doesn't that seem premature?

PTParks

Is the car running rough, trouble starting, or poor performance? 17K no matter what the timeframe, is not (IMHO) the correct criteria for changing out sparkplugs (which ain't easy to do from what I've read). Me thinks the dealer wants your cash.

blake

It's like the old dealer argument that your brake pad sensor went off on one axle, so let's change ALL the pads and ALL the rotors for $1500...

I'm with PTParks. If the car is running okay, I'd wait a while - perhaps to year 5 or 6. With that low mileage, your car is barely broken in!

-B

Macster

Suggests? Or is basing this on the factory recommended change interval?

Plugs are due to be changed on miles but also on time too.

Now Porsche does change its mind both the number of miles or the amount of time that triggers a plug change.

The best advice I can offer is get an up to date print out of what the scheduled services are for your vehicle and follow that.

If the schedule calls for a plug change based on if not 17K miles but after 4 years, then my advice is to have this done.

There's a risk that in leaving the plugs in too long they can seize in the head and damage the head threads upon removal.

The risk level is somewhat dependent upon where you live and when and how you drive. A more humid environment, or if you drive in wet weather, in the winter, with salt on the roads, etc. this can subject the plugs, or some of them, to splash and possibly lead to corrosion.

Sincerely,

Macster.

cascade

I took my c4s in for an oil change a month ago. 2008 with 16,000 miles on it. Had this conversation with the service manager. He suggested NOT changing the plugs because the miles were so low. 4 years is the recommened interval, so it's kind of a judgement call. Car was, and still is, running fine.

kosmo

the book says 4yrs but if its running ok i'd prob stretch it. Did you recommend changing the coils too?

c4s911

Nothing about the coils being recommended

Thanks for all the advise

MichaelL

I had my sparkplugs changed out at 38,000 miles & 4 years service time. They all looked OK, no visible erosion & good color. With the low mileage of 17,000, the original plugs are probably good for another year or two. After that, replace. It is cheap insurance against seizure in an aluminum head, which will not be covered by any warranty ( either out of factory warranty or didn't follow manufacturer's schedule for aftermarket warranty) .

The coils are another issue, around 41,000 miles, I had to have all six changed out. Misfiring, check engine light & all coils were weathered & cracked. The coils are in an exposed location and can deteriorate if driven on salted roads. If one goes, replace all, not a durable part. This is a common problem with 996's & 997's.

scotsskier

If it is a 2008, 4 years is the recommended time interval. I just changed them in my 2008 a few weeks ago at 24k miles. I was actually quite surprised that the ones that came out had rather more erosion than i had expected. (like a lot of others i was quite skeptical that they really needed to be done at that low mileage). With the new ones, definitely seems to have made a little bit of improvement, steadier idle etc. OTOH, i did it myself at a cost of $60 for the plugs. Would have been less likely to have done it at this mileage based on the dealer price of ~$500

JW911

All this worry about seized spark plugs, I don't really buy it. I changed mine at 60K miles and 7 years. They came right out without protest. And they probably could have gone another 40K miles. They had very little wear on them, just some minor deposits. If it was me (Oh, it was me!) I would not consider changing at such low mileage.

Spokane5150

Just turned 4-years and 35K miles on my C2S. I was putting in Fister Gundos so it seemed prudent to also change the plugs since the mufflers were out of the way. The job isn't difficult but it is very tedious and time consuming. I started the job at 2:00 pm and didn't finish until around 8:30 pm. I can see why the dealer charges $850 -1200 to put spark plugs in because there isn't any room unless you take out the muffler brackets and that is another nightmare trying to reach the top bolts. Multiple 4-letter expletive's later and the plugs are in. I'd have to say that the car starts and runs a little smoother.

BTW The Fisters sound fantastic!

gota911

POrsche maintenance checklist for the 997.2 cars states:

Replace spark plugs every 40,000 miles (60,000 km) or every 4 years

See attached PDF file.