This Was the Worst Spark Plug Change Ever - Porsche 981 GT4 36k Mile Service

Changing spark plugs on most cars is usually not a big deal. But what about when your engine lays flat and fits directly in the middle of your car? Well, that's a different story. Come along on this journey as I attempt to change the spark plugs on my 981 Porsche Cayman GT4. I share some helpful tips along the way.
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Spark Plugs: www.suncoastpa...
Extensions: amzn.to/3BCQ5GY
Swivel Joints: amzn.to/3gTHtnu
Torque Wrench: amzn.to/2PHaxlN
Basic tool kit: amzn.to/3DEsqaR
Torx bits: amzn.to/3DKvqSY

[@flyingratchet5267]

Remove the rear undertray panel. You can slide your arm in front of the exhaust manifolds. It gives you a better hand position to remove connectors and coil packs without scratching your skin on heat shields. 😉

[@garydilbeck340]

1500.00? For a plug change? You must be talking dealership. My Indy Porsche specific laughed and said they wished that you had four or five that needed that service. 300.00 for coil packs and plugs installed. Granted I had to buy the product. Another 300. Still.. no 1500.00.. that’s coil packs as well.

[@JordanPayneLV]

Just wait until you do the serpentine belt change, that’s a fun one! Good tutorial :)

[@lastname-Nm]

Ooh do tell

[@JordanPayneLV]

@@lastname-Nm you’ve gotta take out a big chunk of the interior, and then getting the belt off requires some clever tight spaces and if you drop a bolt it turns into several hours looking for the dropped bolt. It went well for me but there are many stories of people spending hours looking for the dropped bolt

[@ae981s]

Thanks for the video and some tips. Successfully changed my coils and spark plugs today. I must say I found the passenger side to be worked on easier as well. The furthest plugs can be accessed from the bottom if you lay down, it'll be so much easier to remove it and install new ones instead of using extender and u joints. The middle ones are probably the one that took most time for me. Ended up finishing it in about 2.5 hrs.

[@BrianStDenis-pj1tq]

The straighter (in line) your extension and U-joints are, the more accurate the torque gauge is. It looked pretty good to me.

[@jwmckayjr]

Thanks for the video. It gave me the courage to finally do the job myself. I agree that the passenger side is easier. You can tell that as soon as you have the tires off. I left the driver’s side forward most plug until last. Getting the other plugs out first gave me the tactile experience I needed to get to the one with the least visibility. Thanks again.

[@EatSleepDrive]

Super glad to hear it helped! It's a daunting task at first but I'm sure you'll agree once you do it once, it's not a big deal to do again.

[@jwmckayjr]

@@EatSleepDrive Yes! Once I got experience with the easier passenger side, I was more confident with the driver's side. I had purchased spark plugs 6 months ago, and it took me this long to finally do it. Your video made it look manageable. I wouldn't want to do this every day, but I could do it once every 36,000 miles. Got one skinned knuckle when I was breaking one of the spark plugs loose. Due to the tight clearances, I didn't wear gloves when I was working up close to the plugs, but I should have had them on once I started to loosen up the plugs with the socket wrench on a long extension. They tend to suddenly break away once you apply enough torque on the socket wrench.

[@IrishManJT]

I dropped my 981 Cayman S up to Porsche Centre Dublin recently for an intermediate service and the maintenance manager mentioned to me that one of his engineers had great fun replacing the spark plugs and got “all cut up” doing so. Now, I understand why. 😬

[@RM-ep2dc]

With a lift this is an easy job. But yeah on the floor its not so much fun. Did it on a 987 couple years back. Never doing it again on my 981.

[@garydilbeck340]

Dude... CALL ME WHEN ITS DONE! A lot easier. I do respect the DIY outlook though. I’m a faithful subscriber since the 997 days but. I know when to say when. Take good care buddy!

[@EatSleepDrive]

I hear ya man. If i couldn't make a video about it I maybe not would have done it... But dealer quoted me $2,200 for this job and I said "I'd rather suffer"

[@garydilbeck340]

I’m a sufferer as well. Hate it. But, that’s crazy money. You’re not having the clutch replaced. Just plugs?

[@garydilbeck340]

I guess. In for a penny. In for a pound. That’s what I tell the folks around me when they hear the cost. They don’t drive Porsche 911’s. They don’t know. We do!

[@john_dee1431]

I've watched you do BMW deep engine gaskets and then this video, "by some miracle" involves what we figure to be simple spark plugs... Whoa those Germans!

[@EatSleepDrive]

I'll never learn..

[@Steve1968LS2]

Looks like a good time to do a new exhaust is when you're due for new plugs

[@romariosmith422]

I assume with an aftermarket downpipe it would be easier because the cat wouldn't be as big. Man that thing is massive.

[@garydilbeck340]

It’s not anywhere even close to what could be called fun!

[@1957robertjohnson]

The 981 is absolutely the worst plug change I've ever done. The passenger side is easier. That said, start with the hardest plug first, the most forward driver's side plug. You don't want to fight with the hardest plug when you're tired. Even using a lift ($25 an hour rental) it was a three hour job. Once was enough. The next plug change it's going to an independent.

[@NoRevving]

Its pretty rough. I thought my 987 was bad... then I got my 981 S and I was like wtf?!! lol I also made a video to help out people. Terrible. lol

[@ruenjou]

Great video but only to find out I don't even own a cayman, LOL

[@EatSleepDrive]

As long as you enjoyed!

[@mikedodd9294]

Next time jack on the cross brace under the diff little triangle with two bolts.

[@FGLists]

Thank you, this was helpful for a 982/718 4.0l with an entirely different cylinder head design. Absolutely need the special socket for the 14mm plug and a collection of wobbles. The two hardest ones were the rearmost due to the unibody engine cradle being in the way. Removing the post-cat o2 sensor gives you a little more room to work. Also as others have said, absolutely remove the underbody panel. You'd have it off for an oil change anwyway.

[@987CAYMAN07]

You did cylinder 1 wrong. It goes from worst plug to change to easiest if you pull the bottom middle panel to go with wheel well panel. So much room I could even get a torque wrench in there no universal joints needed

[@bjongoco]

Good job man. $1500 could go towards track days or tires. It does not look too difficult. Could you have removed the brake rotor for more room? Speaking of brakes, have you had to replace yours yet? I'm pricing out a GT4 and looking at consumables. The brake rotor prices gave me sticker shock.

[@OldSchoolNoe]

A couple thousand for this job? It reminds me of Astro/Safari van spark plug changes, just less space.

[@morstyrannis1951]

That looks very difficult.

[@live1053]

Did you use dielectric grease on the spark plug treads?

[@joneagles8070]

Congrats on the job, but next time take your watch off! )))

[@DigitalDissident]

Option 1: Porsche dealer, drop the engine Option 2: Self service & suffering Option 3: Never buy another mid engine Porsche

[@pjs12464]

Option 1 for me

[@morstyrannis1951]

Set it on fire when the check engine light costs too much to extinguish. This is a popular option where I live. German cars bought as status symbols - usually rebuilt wrecks - become fraudulent insurance claims.

[@gwilli]

You guys are too dramatic. I had it done in my 981 Boxster S at a good indy Porsche specialist for $400. All but $60 of that was labor. Sounds like it was money well spent. 🤣

[@FGLists]

I've done spark plugs twice on a 997 and just finished on a 982/718 4.0l which is actually a little different and requires a special spark plug socket. Overall I'd rather do mid-engine because there's nothing rusty to work through. On a 997 you have to remove the side exhausts by working through flange bolts from the exhaust manifold to the silencers. They will absolutely shear and break each time as they are exposed to water splashing, especially the passenger/right hand side. 991 and later make use of further underbody aero and might be easier- till you get to 991.2 and the turbo engines.

[@BrandonTwilley]

About as bad as doing BRZ spark plugs

[@dpav7994]

And I thought the 911 was bad for spark plugs...

[@eds8633]

You should put silver or nickel based anti-seize compound on the threads of the new plugs

[@ThatCaymanGuy]

I recently changed my plugs and coils in my Cayman, what a PITA! it took a couple of hours but its doable and you will definitely save money.

[@EatSleepDrive]

Definitely one of those jobs if I did it again it would go much faster. But I totally agree, it's a PITA regardless.

[@rkestes1955]

Hi, New subscriber. No mention of 'gapping' the plugs OR no seize-on the treads ?? Did You ???

[@EatSleepDrive]

These are OEM and come pregapped. Also Porsche doesn't call for anti seize but that's up to you. They get changed so frequently in these cars I think it's unnecessary. Unless you're driving this in a super corrosive environment.