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YOUR RESEARCHspark plugs '04 (basically '02+)
Reported or suspected cause
original plugs at 64,000 miles were toast
Reported cause
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Reported cause
Turned out that the original plugs at 64,000 miles were toast.
Leading evidence: 'original plugs at 64,000 miles were toast' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'original plugs at 64,000 miles were toast' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check connectors and contacts' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Replace with 37k miles were of a multiple electrode design
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Not sure how you arrived at the conclusion that the plugs I replaced with 37k miles were of a multiple electrode design.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The mechanic has used Champion plugs for as long as I can remember so I figured that was what was installed in my car.
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Suggestion
I was on my way to the mechanic Thursday to have a leak down test done on my engine since I'm going to sell the engine, on the way the car started running really rough, then the "engine check light" came on.
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23 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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I'm planning on removing my mufflers in a week or so to do the Gundo Hack. I figure while I have the mufflers out, I should take the opportunity to change the spark plugs as well. The car has 46k on it.
I'm doing some research, and there's OEM by Bosch and NGKs as well. Any comments on either or? Or perhaps another plug model recommendation? (are they pre-gapped?) The part number I have for the Bosch is: FGR-5-KQE0 and the Posrche p/n is: 999-170-223-90-M14
Also, the '02+ don't need the spark plug tubes correct?
Thanks!
Definitely easier while the mufflers are out. You are correct that you have no tubes to deal with. Check the gap if you select a traditional sort of plug - some have multiple contacts and that can't be practically done. I put NGK Iridium in my '04 about 20K miles back and the car continues to run great. But, there are good reports on a wide variety of brands. GL!
I just changed the plugs in my 02. I went with the NGK G power plugs ($2.39 at Advance Auto Parts). I think the difference with the new plugs is quite noticeable. My old plugs had 37K miles on them. The indy that replaced them last likes to use Champion plugs so I knew the gaps were probably pretty large after all those miles and I was correct. When I took them out the gaps were in the .52 range and all electrodes were fairly worn. One piece of advice is to check your connectors and contacts on the coils for corrosion. I had some corrosion on the contacts of one of my coils that certainly could have resulted in misfiring. Be sure you get all connectors and boots back on snug
I am pleased with the plugs I chose. I am a big fan of NGK plugs and I think they are quality plugs at a great price. The plug I used is a single prong Platinum plug G-Power BKR6EGP. I also think that regardless of which plug you use it is a good idea to change them out more frequently than the factory recommended service interval. The procedure of removing the mufflers and plugs is really not that difficult and it is an inexpensive tune up procedure that results in better overall performance
After just 37K miles and with such large gaps between the center and ground electrodes on a multi-electrode plug why you believe a single ground plug will deliver acceptable performance over that span of miles is beyond me.
Not sure how you arrived at the conclusion that the plugs I replaced with 37k miles were of a multiple electrode design. As i mentioned in the post, i removed some Champion plugs which were single electrode plugs. Also. I clearly stated that given the ease of replacement I would recommend more frequent plug changes than called for in the manual. If it is your suggestion that single electrode plugs won't deliver "acceptable performance" then please just say that
Dinodog,
What motor do you have in your 996? When I look on the NGK site for my car (3.6 w/ x51), it gives me two options, Laser Platinum (BKR7EQUP) and Iridium IX (BKR7EIX). These are both different p/n's than what you have below.
Thanks!
LOL. I totally agree. My car is a recent acquisition. In going over the service records I noticed the 60k plug change was done at an Indy shop owned by a good friend of mine. The mechanic has used Champion plugs for as long as I can remember so I figured that was what was installed in my car. I'm not knocking champion plugs but I don't want them or really any plugs in my car for anywhere near the 60k mile service interval
Yoda, I have an '02 with a 3.6 motor. NGK offers a variety of plugs so it can get a little confusing. I went with the single electrode G power plugs based on price plus the fact that I plan to change the plugs on a more aggressive service schedule. I'm also not convinced that for my driving purposes a more expensive , multi electrode plug, is going to yield any increased performance over a single prong plug. So bottom line is go with whatever plug with an acceptable heat range you feel comfortable with
A single electrode plug will not deliver acceptable performance.
From what you wrote the previous plugs with their huge gap after just 37K miles should have told you that. And your fix is to change the plugs even more often.
I let the plugs go in my Boxster 90K miles and the gap was not that big. 4 electrode plugs.
Also, as much as I wanted to I didn't notice any improvement in the engine's behavior after the new plugs were installed.
Apparently the old plugs, with 90K miles on them, were still doing their job. However, this is not a recommendation to try to eke out extra miles. Change the plugs when they are due.
While I have never changed the plugs in my Porsches based on what I've read I do not think plugs are easy to change. Having to do this once every 60K miles is bad enough but to select a plug form factor that requires this be done even more often that 37K miles does not make any sense to me. But if you like NGK plugs that much...
Dinodog and Mark I, where are you guys looking up (cross-referencing) the NGK plugs from? The number I pulled was from the NGK web-site. I was actually very surprised that they had the 40th AE car listed.
Looking at Pelican's site, they only list a plug difference for Turbo vs. normal m96 motors. No difference listed for the x51 package.
I just looked on the ngk website for plugs for a non-40th AE car. Interesting that there are a lot more plugs listed (6 choices) than for the 40th AE. Also, if I recall, all the plugs for the standard m96 are colder plugs! (6 instead of 7 for the 40th AE car -- lower number equals colder plug right? or do I have it backwards?!)
Hmm, apparently higher number = cooler plug. Which makes sense, as I'd assume the x51 motors would run hotter.
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_su...k_plugs/p2.asp
Macster, I agree with most of what you have stated but I am curious about your statement that you don't believe a single prong plug will deliver acceptable performance. Are you stating this based upon expected plug life? Is there any data you could share with us to support the assertion that single prong plugs do not deliver acceptable performance? Thanks.
YODA, I am also impressed that the NGK site had a listing for the x-51 optioned cars. You might want to double check that the NGK recommended plug has the correct heat range cross referenced with the original factory fitted plug. Have you checked with a dealer to see what the current recommended plug is for your motor? That might be a good starting point that you could cross reference off of
DONE!
Long story short, I ended up putting the NGK BKR7EQUP in my car. This according to NGK is specific to the 40th AE edition (x51?). I even called and talked to NGK about it.
Looks like the plugs were never replaced in my car. They looked to be the original Beru plugs.
Did the Gundo Hack as well, went with 1.5". Thinking maybe I should have went up to 1.75 or 2"!
Definitely a "burble" at startup. The exhaust noise is more for the outside than the occupants of the inside. Oh well. Wanted a little bit of noise, but not too much for fear of the noise police at Laguna.
I'll upload some pictures later on. Need to take a shower now!
Yoda, Sounds like everything came together perfectly (fresh plugs, exhaust mod results = increase sound on the outside, quiet on the inside). Live large and enjoy! All the Best!
Here are some pictures (and video if it works):
What's this cable for? This is on the driver's side under/beneath the taillight.
image.jpeg
The reason I took everything apart! NGK vs. the OE Beru.
image4.jpeg
No muffler!
image1.jpeg
Gundo Hack.
image2.jpeg
Back on the car!
image5.jpeg
Folks, what's the easiest way to upload a video?
Thanks!
Yes, it does feel good to accomplish the DIY. However it took a lot longer than I had anticipated. Putting everything back together was a lot quicker!
I'd be interested to hear a 996 with bigger gundo pipes to see what the sound differences are. Mine is much more subtle. Wonder if my wife will notice!
On cold start she'll notice for sure.
You can't tell when you're cruising on the highway for sure though. Only when you get on it!
I was on my way to the mechanic Thursday to have a leak down test done on my engine since I'm going to sell the engine, on the way the car started running really rough, then the "engine check light" came on. Ugh! Turned out that the original plugs at 64,000 miles were toast. Since I was already paying for the leak down test I had only to pay for the plugs.
