Plug change - what do I need?

[mcgon1979]

plugs (IK22)
Inlet manifold gasket.
throttle body gasket???

anything else?

[Kace]

You don't really need to replace the gaskets if they are still in good condition ( mine were ).

Apart from that all you need is a spark plug removal tool, good reach, strength to open tight and difficultly positioned bolts.

[mcgon1979]

Thanks Kace. I have changed the inlet manifold gasket the last time so could probably get away with using the one on it, but sure no harm throwing on a fresh one as it's relatively cheap. Just ordered the plugs on ebay from the USA. 80 dollars delivered.
I cannot find the throttle body gasket on Camskill though? I know I don't have to change this, but I've been using the same one for a couple of years (had the TB off a couple of times) and would like to change it.
Anyone have alink for one? cheers for the reply

[mcgon1979]

Oh, by the way... I had done almost 70,000km on my current set of plugs! My mechanic reckons thats way too much. I somehow thought Iridiums were good for 50,000 MILES.
Apparently not. He reckons I should change them every 30k kms in my yoke. In standard applications, like in golfs etc he said 40k is the norm.
So this could go some way to explain my degrading fuel economy in recent months! duh... I'll change them every 30k from now on I think.
Only cost me 60euro for six delivered so I think thats ok to do them once every 30k km which I reckon is about 18months driving for me.

[Dragonheart]

I always thought it was 70K too. Does it not say that somewhere? I thought the whole idea of them was that they were ideal for cars like the FTO where you have to remove part of the engine to do the replacement?

[Bernard]

Camskill say 60K with Densos, I can't see there being too much difference between brands.
Saying that, changing them more frequently can't hurt either.

Denso Iridium Plugs for your FTO, simply the best and longest lasting, some 60,000 mile life. Simply fit and virtually forget.

[CJ]

Camskill say 60K with Densos

Worth mentioning that 60k miles equates to 96k kms. The Iridiums can handle serious abuse, assuming you've got Iridiums front and rear, pull one or two of the front plugs and check condition before investing in a new set. Changing IK22s after 30k miles is unnecessary IMO.

CJ

[mcgon1979]

96,000km is a good stretch alright. I see most websites say they are "good for 60,000miles", but that doesn't indicate if plugs at 59,000miles perform identically to those that have only 10,000miles on them? Or at what point does the plug age affect mileage/performance etc. What is the degradation curve like? shallow or steep?
I have 70,000km on them so don't mind changing them at this stage (same plugs almost 3 years) for 60euro. I do a lot of driving so I think I'll know straight away if it makes any difference at all to mpg or driving experience. I'll come back and let you know what the old plugs were like coming out and if the new ones make any difference at all.

[colm_mcm]

make sure you have the OE plug socket, most regular ones are too big on the outside to get down the block. usually in the toolkit in the boot.

[mcgon1979]

make sure you have the OE plug socket, most regular ones are too big on the outside to get down the block. usually in the toolkit in the boot.

Bang on Colm, Luckily I had this plug socket in the boot. I had a narrow plug socket the last time I changed my plugs, but could not find a narrow one at my mates garage this time, so had to dig the OE one out of the boot.

Well, the plugs change went grand. Did it over 2 hours. I was chatting and doing other bits and pieces and took my time as I was there (mates garage) for the day anyway so no rush. No problems encountered.
The plugs that came out with 70,000km on them looked 'ok'. Nice orange corona on the ceramic part, and some white/gray deposits on the top part of the plug. Most importantly though, the Iridium tip was 0.1mm shorter on the old plugs compared to the new ones. 0.8mm gap on old, 0.7mm gap on new. Everything looks identical except to the iridium tip is shorter on the old ones so I think this has possibly worn 0.1mm after 70,000km? Anyway I was happy enough to change them now.
The car does seem more responsive now, although... of course I would say that. I cleaned the butterfly of some deposits (in throttle body) and adjusted the accelerater cable when I put it back on so maybe that made the difference.
I won't have any stats on fuel for a couple of weeks till I do an fill up and normal work commute for a full tank, although I expect it to be the same or slightly better. thats them good for at least 2 years now. 60euro well spent.
It's certainly a job you can tackle at home and not as bad as I remember, although I have stripped off the inlet manifold a few times at this stage so its much easier when you know where all the bolts are.

[Sebastian]

might ask for that socket mcgon , i'm going to tackle mine in the weekend and surprise , I don't have the 'toolkit' in the back ( after so many fto's I had )