Quirk with replacing Spark Plugs - OPC Issue - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Advice needed: I have spoken to several people at various OPCs to try and get to the bottom of whether a ten year old Cayman with full OPC SH has had it's spark plugs changed across the last four services. Long story short, I have had my 981 Cayman GTS for 3 years (Dec 21), been serviced and looked after by my local OPC. All service, Warranty Work, 111 Point checks, Tyres, MOTs, everything. Previous owners also undertook a lot of servicing and warranty work, as per all receipts and invoices I have as current owner of the car. Looking back into the history of the car and the Service Book, it is unclear whether the plugs have not been replaced, even during major services. I am convinced they'd have been done and that they were done on the last service when I asked the OPC. After many ring rounds of previous OPCs, emails back and forth, I received the below explanation on email; Thanks for the email. I think you are correct and I think I have found the reason. The car was late having it’s first service, and only had an oil and filter change at that point by OPC #1 ( Nov 2016 ). Then it looks like they did a Major service in Sept 2017 , but no plugs as it was only 3 years old. OPC #2 then did a 6 yearly service at 5 years old in August 2019 , and did not pick up that the plugs had not been changed. They then did another Major service in August 2021 and once again did not pick up that plugs had not been changed. - [i]wtf Finally we did a 10 yearly service in July 2023 on the assumption that OPC #2 would have got the car back on schedule at one of the last 2 services. I have attached a quote to replace the plugs. Whether you confront OPC #2 with it is your call. It is an unfortunate consequence of the first service being late and not the correct service, back in November 2016 by OPC #1 really though. Let me know your thoughts Likely I should have picked this up when buying the car, but can someone offer advice; do I go back to OPC #1 & #2 on this as it could turn out quite serious, at this stage the plugs have been in for 7 years and 20k miles approximately. I will be getting them changed in the next couple of weeks before any sale, but how would you approach this?

If the car is fine the car is fine. Why are you worrying about it? If it bothers you that much get them done at the next service. If they haven’t been done, no one has paid for it to be done. Don’t worry, be happy.

maz8062 said: If the car is fine the car is fine. Why are you worrying about it? If it bothers you that much get them done at the next service. If they haven’t been done, no one has paid for it to be done. Don’t worry, be happy. I think because they should be done during the services, it's not an added extra?

Tend to think you are overthinking this somewhat especially as you say you are selling the car shortly. If it bothers you that much either get them changed yourself or give the new purchasers the option of a discount to cover the cost. Bear in mind the spark plugs are 'mileage proofed' (but not 'time proofed') to 20k miles anyway so even if they haven't been changed it is unlikely they will give any issues. Most people would just sell the car tbh but it is your call whether you alert any potential purchaser to the issue.

Just change them.

If it helps, we didn't replace the spark plugs on our Cayman at 4 years because at the time it had done less than 20k miles. They were replaced at 6 years as we were concerned about potential issues getting the old ones out. We had heard some stories of plugs getting stuck and potential big bills to extract them. As it turns out there were no issues. The car is 10 years old this year and is at 33K miles so probably won't change them at it's next service either.

Voodoo Blue said: If it helps, we didn't replace the spark plugs on our Cayman at 4 years because at the time it had done less than 20k miles. They were replaced at 6 years as we were concerned about potential issues getting the old ones out. We had heard some stories of plugs getting stuck and potential big bills to extract them. As it turns out there were no issues. The car is 10 years old this year and is at 33K miles so probably won't change them at it's next service either. Thanks for your response. That's the thing, I know that the liklihood there is an issue of stuck plugs is rare but just trying to be a decent seller I suppose and get ahead of any issues. The car has done very little miles and have no problems etc

av185 said: Tend to think you are overthinking this somewhat especially as you say you are selling the car shortly. If it bothers you that much either get them changed yourself or give the new purchasers the option of a discount to cover the cost. Bear in mind the spark plugs are 'mileage proofed' (but not 'time proofed') to 20k miles anyway so even if they haven't been changed it is unlikely they will give any issues. Most people would just sell the car tbh but it is your call whether you alert any potential purchaser to the issue. Not overthinking, just weird it was repeatedly missed by multiple OPCs assuming it had been done. Likewise, the price to change them is £380 - which would have been wrapped up in the service cost - I wasn't discounted the non-changing of plugs. I either wait or I have to pay out of pocket. Just looking to be a decent seller so the car is tip top for the next owner.

IMO a compromise course of action - is it an easy job for anyone to change the plugs? As a decent seller, which I applaud, you could either (yourself or pay someone) a) to loosen them all off, inspect and put back. b) change for new then either say nothing as you have satisfied yourself there is no issue, or include this documented for the next owner?

I’m going to go with they’ve never been done, they’ve either been missed/forgotten/simply can’t be arsed as it’s a pain. It’s a ten year old car, so may benefit from a new set - I’m unsure what plugs Porsche run (iridium tip?) so they may well be in servicing shelf life. Change if it bothers you, if the car runs ok, why bother. A faulty ignition system will soon show itself.

If you really really wanted to get to the bottom of this with the first garage, they do record both the work TU/Time Units and what their technicians actually spend on any works. The hassle it causes and the burden put to them just to release this is waaay up there and significantly more costly to get them to a stage where they may admit to it.

Orangecurry said: IMO a compromise course of action - is it an easy job for anyone to change the plugs? As a decent seller, which I applaud, you could either (yourself or pay someone) a) to loosen them all off, inspect and put back. b) change for new then either say nothing as you have satisfied yourself there is no issue, or include this documented for the next owner? Thanks. As they are 7 years old, I'll just replace them tbh. Like everything to be in place! It's an awesome car and I don't want to sell it.

Swine Enthusiast said: Like everything to be in place! It's an awesome car and I don't want to sell it. If you really want to impress a buyer (that shows up), keep the old plugs - this isn't just 'madness' to prove it's been done, it also gives an idea of the current state of the engine - no oil on the plugs, even condition across the banks, clean burn, blah blah blah. I have kept both sets of plugs that I've changed on my car, but then I'm a 993er and therefore have deep psychological problems.

I think most respected Porsche Independents will charge circa £199 to change the plugs if you wanted it done that way for peace of mind.

Unfortunately the plugs are listed under 'Additional maintenance' in the handbook and are not typically part of the service schedule. So OPC or specialists don't typically include them when you ask for a servicing quote. If you have the previous receipts (including last service) then their replacement should be listed on the invoice (if they were replaced)

Never had a Porsche including many Porsche GTs which haven't had their spark plugs replaced at 4 yearly services irrespecive of mileage and this has always been undertaken even when not specifically requested which would suggest it is in fact automatically part of the service schedule at 4 yearly intervals. Does seem bizarre that if the OP has a stamped up service book why the OPC hasn't filled in the relevant box confirming whether or not the spark plugs have been changed. An example being the recent OPC 4 year service in my service book

av185 said: Never had a Porsche including many Porsche GTs which haven't had their spark plugs replaced at 4 yearly services irrespecive of mileage and this has always been undertaken even when not specifically requested which would suggest it is in fact automatically part of the service schedule at 4 yearly intervals. Does seem bizarre that if the OP has a stamped up service book why the OPC hasn't filled in the relevant box confirming whether or not the spark plugs have been changed. An example being the recent OPC 4 year service in my service book Some boxes are left blank, others have a cross rather than a tick. All very confusing.

Leeds OPC 'missed' the plug change on my last 4 years service (981 GT4), it's on the service schedule for these cars FFS. Ended up getting them FOC as i'd asked for a quote for the 4 year service and booked it in with them based on that quote.

Yes I can understand the confusion. I would be inclined to read a cross or x in the 'yes' column as the work having been undertaken. Edited by av185 on Friday 24th January 10:45

Prime example of why it is always advisable to get the service paperwork specifying the exact work undertaken with cost breakdown and invoice from the OPC as well as having the service book stamped.

This is why I used a third party specialist when I had my 981 S, I became quite friendly with him and he let me watch the whole service, I knew exactly what had been done.

That's a bit...eccentric. I find the garages are perfectly fine when i ask them to return the filters and plugs for my own later inspection. I used to get odd looks 20+ years ago but apparently it's a common thing nowadays.