hey guys,

do you have to unplug the cords from each coil pack before taking the coil pack out to get to the spark plug? also, is there an order that they have to be changed? as you can tell im new to all this but learning - i figured basics ( oil filter, air filter, splugs) houldnt be a problem to do yourself.

thanks in advance.

 

No, you don't have to unplug the coil packs, but it helps and is easy to do. There is no set order, but make sure you torque the plugs properly using a torque wrench. German cars are sensitive and you don't want to hurt their feelings by using cheap tools or they will jiggle your car at every stop light!

Bob

 

ok, i changed the first plug (before getting your reply) but i just put it in and slightly tightened it in - without thinking about any torque specifications. am i in trouble, now or do i just loosen or tighten accordingly.

what are the specifications for tightening? i just used a socket wrench to take the old one out and to put the new one in.

 

Gimme your engine and year to look up, but, for all 1996-2001 years the spec is 22ftlb/30NM/264inlbs.

Too loose and you loose compression, the plug cant reject heat into the heads, and prolly strip threads after driving. Too tight and you strip threads and break plugs.

 

Also... are you checking the gap? Dont trust they are pre-gapped correctly.

 

the car is a 2000 a6 4.2l (ART).

the plugs are the multi prong kind that ( i guess) can't be gapped. I had a friend change them out the last time and we used the same plugs. I didnt seem to have any problems with these. (bosch platinum + 4 ).

 

Its 22ftlb/30NM/264inlbs....


However, according to Bosch, if you dont have a torque wrench plugs with a FLAT SEAT and GASKET should be hand tightened then turned another 90 degrees. Plugs with a TAPER SEAT and NO Gasket should be hand tightened then turned another 15 degrees.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2677582/BO...l-Bujias-Bosch

 

when you say flat seat with gasket - do you mean the rubber gasket? because these don't have a rubber gasket and so i guess they are a tapered head as well

 

Well, the gasket is metal.. Its a metal ring between the threads and the hex and is preinstalled... Tapered is like it says: a taper between the threads and hex. The link explains it with pics...

 

ok, these had the metal gaskets and i hand tightened them and turned some maybe 60 deg. and some maybe 90 but i couldn't really tell if i was tightening them at 90deg. all the time because some felt tight after just a little torque of the wrench after hand tightening.