Spark plug intervals

Hi I realise i can follow the Service schedule which I believe is 4yrs and and 48k but what do other people do ref getting them changed. Mine were last done in 2017 but I have only done 6k miles (I know I know) It is booked in for a minor service next month but not sure what to do been quoted £222 for the 6 plugs changed. Thanks in advance but please be kind I am just concerned do the plugs get stuck in etc 996 c2

I do every 2 years/services. If someone quoted my £222 I'd do it myself. It takes me an hour and plugs are £30 for 6.

Thanks alex Are they easy to do I have the exhaust boxes off at the moment as getting them repaired. Any special tools ?

Bit fidly 1st time but once you get the knack its easy......without needing the boxes off.

I'm assuming having the boxes and bumper off must make it a lot easier Thanks for the advise

Mine were done in 2018 when I had a new short block fitted. Haven't changed them since as I've only driven maybe 10 000km in 4 years. I don't see what would damage a plug just sitting there so I haven't changed them. They're on the list for next summer.

...my engine was rebuilt in 2018 and new plugs fitted; covered a handful of thousand miles since thus see no point in replacing as I pulled one recently and Demort (Iain) took a look and agreed it was like new :thumbs:

Just changed mine last week @ 45,000m and 8 years. Still looked in great condition and, no doubt, would have been fine for many thousands of more miles if I'd left them. Fiddly to get the back ones but not a hard job, needed 2 small extension bars rather than 1 longer one to get to the rear plugs and just hope that whoever replaced them before didn't do the coil packs up really tight and put some anti seize on the bolts.

If you already have the bumper and exhaust boxes off, you're almost done Just do it yourself, it's super easy - there are plenty of guides out there. As Alex mentioned, the first few plugs are a bit fiddly until you get the hang of it. Have a look at the coilpacks while you are there. What about engine mounts? It's a slippery slope....

Thanks for all the great advise, thats decided I will do it myself. Any advise on tools required (I have most things but want to be prepared) Also any advise on the plugs to buy and where from Steve

I usually slacken the coil pack Allen bolts off with a standard allen key (Think it'd 5mm), then I use a 5mm bit out of a screwdriver set (see photo below) and use that to wind the bolts out. Will make sense what I'm saying once you come to do it. Then disconnect the lead from the coil pack by squeezing the middle of the pluf on both sides and sliding off. Then wiggle the coil pack out. Thta's usually the hard bit done. Next job is plug socket on an extension bar (about 4 or 5 inch extension) and undo the plugs. Can be fiddly first time you do it but a doddle after that.

As above when I did mine 2x short extension bars rather than a long one to reach the plugs, feed one in at a time and join in situ. My coil pack bolts have Allen heads and regular Allen keys wouldn't undo tight bolts so you'll need Allen bits that fit a 10mm socket/ratchet spanner. Some have torx heads. My coil pack heat shields were well rusted, Frazer parts did the cheapest replacements @ £23 each, some folks don't bother with them but my coil packs were in great condition so I reckon they help.

Mine has never had the heat shields on in my ownership (8 years) and the coil packs are still like new.

Many thanks again everyone Do the plugs need to tightened to a correct NM on a torque wrench?

Never bother with any of that stuff personally. For me it's the usual old school - nip up, then quarter of a turn.