Porsche Spark Plug & Ignition Coil Replacement DIY

Symptoms

Symptoms that your Porsche spark plugs need to be replaced.

• Engine misfire
• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Difficult to start
• Slow acceleration
• Engine overheating
• Engine shaking at idle

What you will need

Procedure

1. Park. Park the Porsche on level ground and allow it to cool down.
2. Open hood. Pull the hood release under the dashboard and open the hood.
3. Remove the plastic trim around the engine. It is held in place with several plastic screws. One screw is located near the cap for the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
4. Remove the air pump. Use a T40 to remove the three bolts that hold the air pump. Disconnect the wire harness to the air pump.
5. Remove the engine cover. Use a T30 Torx socket to remove the engine cover bolts. On models with a rear engine setup such as Boxter, you will need to jack up the vehicle and remove the rear wheels to access the spark plug cover (heat shields) via the wheel well area.
6. Remove and replace spark plugs and coils.
   

   Start by unplugging the wire harness from all the spark plug coils. Press on the connector clip, then pull.
   Do this for all ignition coils.

7. Remove coils. Remove the T30 Torx bolt that secures the ignition coil to the engine. Repeat for all ignition coils. Pry out the ignition coil. If the ignition coils refuse to come out, try twisting the coil and pulling them out simultaneously.
8. Remove spark plugs. Use a 5/8 spark tool or a deep 16mm socket to remove the spark plugs. Turn the ratchet counterclockwise to remove the spark plugs. Repeat for all spark plugs. Inspect the condition of the spark plugs.
9. Install spark plugs. Carefully lower the new spark plugs in the cylinder. Do not allow spark plugs to drop. If a spark plug falls in the spark plug hole, remove it and inspect the gap. Start threading the new spark plugs by hand.
10. Torque spark plugs. Use a torque wrench to torque all the spark plugs to 30 Nm.
11. Install ignition coils. Push the ignition coil in the spark plug hole. Tighten the ignition coil bolt to 10 Nm. Connect the connector for each ignition coil making sure you push the connector until you hear it click.
12. Install the engine cover and air pump. Tighten the engine cover bolts.
13. Repeat the procedure to replace the passenger side spark plugs and ignition coils. The process is the same for the passenger side, except that V8 models have an engine torque arm that will need to be removed. Follow this guide on how to remove and replace the Porsche engine torque arm.
14. Start the engine. Make sure the check engine light is off.
15. If PSM FAILURE displays on the instrument cluster drive the vehicle for five minutes, the warning should reset.

Pictures in this guide are from a 2004 Porsche Cayenne V8, but tips and steps here will help you change spark plugs on Porsche 944, Boxter, 997, 996, 991, 911, 981, 964, and Macan.

Torque Specifications

• Spark Plugs: 30 Nm / 22 ft-lbs
• Ignition Coil Bolt: 10 Nm

Porsche Spark Plug Change Interval

How often do you need to change spark plugs on a Porsche? Porsche spark plug change interval varies between 12,000 and 60,000 miles.

To determine how often you should change the spark plugs on your Porsche, you need to know which engine and spark plug types are installed in your car.

Here are a few examples.

• Porsche Carrera 4 – 30,000 miles
• Porsche 997 S – 60,000 miles
• GT2 – 12,000 miles
• Porsche 911 / 991.1 – 40,000 miles

Verify by looking it up in your owner’s manual.

Spark Plug Gap

Porsche spark plugs come pre-gapped and do not need to be adjusted. If you like to check, they should be in the .028 – .035 range, with the most common gap being 0.028.

All the spark plugs installed in one engine should have the same gap.

Check Engine Light Still On

If the check engine light is still on after you have replaced the spark plugs and ignition coil, you can use the YOUCANIC Full System Scanner to clear the stored codes. This scanner supports every vehicle’s make and model.

Notes

• On rear engine applications such as 996,997 Carrera, you need to remove rear wheels, rear bumper, heat shield, and mufflers to access the right rear spark plug and coil.
• For example, on a 997tt, it is easier and faster to drop the engine than remove various components. If you are a DIYer, you can change the spark plugs on this engine without dropping the engine.
• If you choose not to drop the engine, you will need to remove the rear wheels, lights, bumper, intercoolers, exhaust, and shields to access all plugs.
• Replacing spark plugs on a Porsche with the front engine setup is simple and straightforward and can be completed in about two hours.
• Replacing spark plugs on a Porsche with a rear engine setup is more involved and may require that you remove the rear bumper, rear wheels, and muffler. This job is rated at four and a half hours for professional mechanics. A DIYer can complete it in about 4 to 6 hours.
• The average cost to change Porsche spark plugs yourself is $150. While changing, Porsche sparks plug at the dealer, or an auto mechanic ranges from $650 to $1100.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace the spark plugs without disconnecting the muffler to access the right rear plug?

Yes. You need patience and a Torx drive bit. Do not use a ratchet. Instead, use a small open-end wrench to get the Torx bolts off.

Should I replace the coils as well?

You can, but it is not required to replace the coils as often as you change the spark plugs.

Porsche Spark Plugs

FGR 6 KQE

• Porsche 911
  • 1999
  • 2000
  • 2001 Naturally Aspirated
  • 2005 Naturally Aspirated; Exc. GT3
  • 2006
• Porsche Boxster
  • 2000-2006
• Porsche Cayenne S
  • 2003-2006

FGR5NQE04

• 2008 – 2010 Porsche Cayenne GTS
• 2008 – 2014 Porsche Cayenne S
• 2013 – 2014 Porsche Cayenne GTS
• 2010 – 2013 Porsche Panamera S
• 2010 – 2013 Porsche Panamera 4S
• 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS

FGR 5 NQE0

• Porsche 911
  • 2009-2011 Naturally Aspirated Specialty
  • 2012 997; Naturally Aspirated Specialty
• Porsche Boxster
  • 2009-2011 Specialty
• Porsche Cayenne
  • 2008-2011 V8; Naturally Aspirated Specialty
  • 2009-2011 V6 Specialty
• Porsche Cayman
  • 2009-2011 Specialty
• Porsche Panamera
  • 2010-2011 V8; Naturally Aspirated Specialty

FR7LDC

• 1997-1999 Porsche Boxster

BKR6EQUP

• Porsche 911
  • 1999 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor
  • 2001 Turbo 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor
  • 2002 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor
  • 2003 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor
  • 2004 Turbo 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor
  • 2005 Naturally Aspirated; Exc. GT3 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor
• Porsche Boxster
  • 2001 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor
  • 2002 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor
  • 2003 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor
  • 2004 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor
• Porsche Carrera GT
  • 2004 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor
  • 2005 4 Electrode; Double Platinum; Resistor

This list provides spark plug part numbers for the most common Porsche models. If the spark plugs for your Porsche are not listed here, they will be listed in your owner’s manual.

We hope you find the Porsche Spark Plug & Ignition Coil Replacement DIY guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Porsche.