This is one of the best DIY instructions, all the small obstacles working in a tight space while changing the Boxster 986 spark plugs were explained in great detail. Thank you!!!
Well done. I have a 2006 CaymanS and the dealer quoted me $690 today for a plug change. NFW so I will be ordering plugs and jacking the car. Thanks for doing such a great job on the explanation.
Well done, nice vid with just enough humor. The beauty of the vehicles is that they CAN be worked on by a backyard mechanic. The only prerequisite is ....patience. Thanks.
Great video really helped me with the same job on my 986. One thing I struggled with was undoing the hex key bolts on the coil packs. I used the wheel brace hollow shaft from the Porsche tool kit to get more leverage and it made it much easier. #pro-tip
Thank you for this video. Please have more these coming. I need a video to show how to jack the car on to auto stand, when you are doing a video next time please include jacking part as well.
+RK RK You're welcome! I have been slacking, but I will have another tutorial video coming some time in the next 2 weeks. I may just make a separate tutorial on how to jack up the vehicle since I've had a couple of messages asking me how to.
One way you can benefit from having dielectric grease but avoid getting it on the electrode (which is what Porsche wants you to avoid), is to rub a small amount of it on the ceramic portion of the plug before installing it. That way, it keeps the rubber boot from sticking but doesn't foul the electrode. Most people put it in the boot, which is why it fouls up the tip.
+MrShadyfish Interesting, I did not know that. I didn't have any issues with anything sticking, but I'll keep that in mind for my next 30k miles maintenance!
N Matthew how did it go changing them yourself ? And at what mileage did you change them ? I bought a 2001 boxter s and I’ve owned it for about 1 year or so 90,000 miles on it and it runs great
how do you know which plugs to buy? I read somewhere that if you do not put the exact same plug that came with the car originally, the car can run poorly. but 1998 was a long time ago and spark plug technology has improved so a part of me wants to put a better, more modern plug in the car. Any thoughts?
+Justin Martin Sorry for the late reply. I normally go on Pelican Parts, they are pretty good at categorizing parts for specific year/models. You don't necessarily HAVE to have the OEM ones, but there are times where a 3rd party brand wouldn't work as well. There are a lot of specifications that go into spark plugs, but in most cases, you should be safe as long as it's the same part number (7413, in this case). Personally, I wouldn't invest in a more "modern" plugs because ,ideally, you would want to change them out every 10,000mi or at least once a year for a Boxster.
Question: They *have* to be torqued right? What would happen if you just tighten it a little past hand tight? This is the part that scares me because I am afraid I would crack something be it the plug OR within the block itself. Thanks!
I don't think tightening it a little past hand tight would be an issue, but having it torqued properly would save you any worry. Just don't go berserk and tighten it as much as you can. I actually did it on one of them and had to replace it because it cracked.
Great video! I am deciding whether to buy a cayman or boxster, and I want to be like you and do all maintenance myself that doesn't require special tools or training. I wanted to know how much it is to run a boxster or cayman a year if I will only summer drive it here in Canada? I would be doing oil changes, spark plugs and fluid flushes myself but am curious for an average cost for about 6 months of use per year?! Thanks for the video and waiting for response! And do older cars require a lot more maintenance? I hear porsches are bullet-proof :)
Thanks! Sorry for the late reply, I don't check my email as often as I should. My running costs per year is roughly around $700-$800 USD. The bulk of that is cost of oil for oil changes (the vehicle requires a little over 9 quarts!). I've had the vehicle for a about 2 1/2 years now and haven't had any major issues, the most costly thing for me so far was getting the IMS bearing replaced with a ceramic one (~$2000 USD). It's not required, but I believe the engines in Boxsters, Caymans, and Carreras were vulnerable to IMS failure from the years 1999-2008.
Thanks for the reply! How many kms or i guess miles for you in the US do you do in a year? I understand the Porsche takes more oil but if you use it year round, its not that bad and cheaper than I expected. I would use the car 6 months a year so it would be 1 or 2 oil changes a year. Thanks for the reply and you have a new subscriber :)
+mralec1992 I drive around 13K-14K miles a year. The parts for maintenance is not expensive at all, it's mainly the labor if you have to get engine work done by a mechanic. :P I appreciate it! I'll have some more stuff coming out soon!
I had a misfire on #2 cylinder which prompted me to inspect. When I pulled the coil for #2 it was in fact cracked. I decided to order all six but wasn’t until the arrived that I looked at the other coils. #2 was one of the better looking ones. Car runs much smoother with new coils and plugs.
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This is one of the best DIY instructions, all the small obstacles working in a tight space while changing the Boxster 986 spark plugs were explained in great detail. Thank you!!!
Great instructions and tips! Just what I needed before starting to change plugs on my 986. If anybody else is wondering, 22,5ft lbs is about 30Nm :)
Thanks for video. I am looking to purchase a used Boxster and this takes away the fear of Porsche ownership.
Well done. I have a 2006 CaymanS and the dealer quoted me $690 today for a plug change. NFW so I will be ordering plugs and jacking the car. Thanks for doing such a great job on the explanation.
+Tim Tim Thank you, glad it helps!
Well done, nice vid with just enough humor. The beauty of the vehicles is that they CAN be worked on by a backyard mechanic. The only prerequisite is ....patience. Thanks.
Thank you! Regular guys make this seem, well, regular. I appreciate that very much!!
Great video really helped me with the same job on my 986.
One thing I struggled with was undoing the hex key bolts on the coil packs. I used the wheel brace hollow shaft from the Porsche tool kit to get more leverage and it made it much easier. #pro-tip
I don't know why ppl give thumbs down to such a nice video. Great job.
Thanks man..... Really. I do work on cars some. But in new to the boxster. Your video helps!!!!!
Oh wow! This is super easy to follow. Thanks a million!
Hey thanks for the vid, I know my way around an engine pretty well but I've never worked with mid engine cars, thanks for helping me out
Good Video Bro....Kudos for taking on the job yourself
Brilliant video and a big help to me. Thanks a million.
Thank you for this video. Please have more these coming. I need a video to show how to jack the car on to auto stand, when you are doing a video next time please include jacking part as well.
+RK RK You're welcome! I have been slacking, but I will have another tutorial video coming some time in the next 2 weeks. I may just make a separate tutorial on how to jack up the vehicle since I've had a couple of messages asking me how to.
Thanks
Amazing guide.
Excellent Video... Congratulations and thank you very much !!
+Manuel Toledo Thank you and you're welcome :). There's more to come in the future!
One way you can benefit from having dielectric grease but avoid getting it on the electrode (which is what Porsche wants you to avoid), is to rub a small amount of it on the ceramic portion of the plug before installing it. That way, it keeps the rubber boot from sticking but doesn't foul the electrode. Most people put it in the boot, which is why it fouls up the tip.
+MrShadyfish Interesting, I did not know that. I didn't have any issues with anything sticking, but I'll keep that in mind for my next 30k miles maintenance!
Really enjoyed that! Thank you very much.
Thanks for this instruction. Why did the ignition coils need changing ?
Nice work, sure a big help, thanks!
Did you upgrade to the 911 coils and new screws? Porsche recommended a using those now.
Great job! Thanks for sharing.
Brilliantly informative - Thank you. I could do this ;-)
Thank you , trying to get up the courage lol
what tools did you use? and how did you reach the far end plugs? can you add a list?
thx u u saved me a lot of money, im doing it myself...I have a Boxster S
N Matthew how did it go changing them yourself ? And at what mileage did you change them ? I bought a 2001 boxter s and I’ve owned it for about 1 year or so 90,000 miles on it and it runs great
Great video! Hope it won't take me a whole day...
Awesome video man quick question do you have to disconnect your battery before you unplugged the spark plug wires?
You're awesome, thanks!
hello ta boxster 986 est de quelle année ?
Appreciate the vid.
how do you know which plugs to buy? I read somewhere that if you do not put the exact same plug that came with the car originally, the car can run poorly. but 1998 was a long time ago and spark plug technology has improved so a part of me wants to put a better, more modern plug in the car. Any thoughts?
+Justin Martin Sorry for the late reply. I normally go on Pelican Parts, they are pretty good at categorizing parts for specific year/models. You don't necessarily HAVE to have the OEM ones, but there are times where a 3rd party brand wouldn't work as well. There are a lot of specifications that go into spark plugs, but in most cases, you should be safe as long as it's the same part number (7413, in this case). Personally, I wouldn't invest in a more "modern" plugs because ,ideally, you would want to change them out every 10,000mi or at least once a year for a Boxster.
Question: They *have* to be torqued right? What would happen if you just tighten it a little past hand tight? This is the part that scares me because I am afraid I would crack something be it the plug OR within the block itself. Thanks!
I don't think tightening it a little past hand tight would be an issue, but having it torqued properly would save you any worry. Just don't go berserk and tighten it as much as you can. I actually did it on one of them and had to replace it because it cracked.
Great video! I am deciding whether to buy a cayman or boxster, and I want to be like you and do all maintenance myself that doesn't require special tools or training. I wanted to know how much it is to run a boxster or cayman a year if I will only summer drive it here in Canada? I would be doing oil changes, spark plugs and fluid flushes myself but am curious for an average cost for about 6 months of use per year?! Thanks for the video and waiting for response! And do older cars require a lot more maintenance? I hear porsches are bullet-proof :)
Thanks! Sorry for the late reply, I don't check my email as often as I should. My running costs per year is roughly around $700-$800 USD. The bulk of that is cost of oil for oil changes (the vehicle requires a little over 9 quarts!). I've had the vehicle for a about 2 1/2 years now and haven't had any major issues, the most costly thing for me so far was getting the IMS bearing replaced with a ceramic one (~$2000 USD). It's not required, but I believe the engines in Boxsters, Caymans, and Carreras were vulnerable to IMS failure from the years 1999-2008.
Thanks for the reply! How many kms or i guess miles for you in the US do you do in a year? I understand the Porsche takes more oil but if you use it year round, its not that bad and cheaper than I expected. I would use the car 6 months a year so it would be 1 or 2 oil changes a year. Thanks for the reply and you have a new subscriber :)
+mralec1992 I drive around 13K-14K miles a year. The parts for maintenance is not expensive at all, it's mainly the labor if you have to get engine work done by a mechanic. :P
I appreciate it! I'll have some more stuff coming out soon!
what was wrong with the first igntion coils? did they not start the car?
It probably would have mis fired on at least one cylinder.
I had a misfire on #2 cylinder which prompted me to inspect. When I pulled the coil for #2 it was in fact cracked. I decided to order all six but wasn’t until the arrived that I looked at the other coils. #2 was one of the better looking ones. Car runs much smoother with new coils and plugs.
What size is the socket?
+Sorn Harn Sorry for the late reply. The socket is 5/8 inch or 16mm.
why did you changed it ?
That bitch clean!
I did the same, saved pounds £££.sorry dollars $$$
+Ed McLatchie Yes, lots of money saved! Also gaining a new appreciation for the vehicle + spending time with it can be very satisfying.
thanks for the info......looks like my 02 S !
wht the heck!!
where are your oil tubes!!
i dont see them
ahhh ok 2003 engine oh ok.
Basura de auto!!!!!!!!