britdave

Not really, myself & a p car friend (I have an 02 he had a 2000) have experienced the failure to start routine numerous time in the past. I have a genuine Porsche battery tender (Got it the day I bought the car) and use it when I don't anticipate using the car for a few days. YES, the battery does somehow drain, :eek: believe me ! Cheers Dave.

Questions, while we are all talking cooling system here .

#1 How often (time/mileage) should we drain, and replace the coolant. #2 Also , what type ? Prestone makes some coolant ,they claim is compatible with EVERY vehicle made ? Dave.

See page 2 of this link >:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subcategory_Ignition-and-Tune-Up_-49997333_-49997327_10151_10051_-1___#storeId=10151&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&categoryLevel=&sortBy=5&categoryId=-49997333&searchTerm=&pageId=ajaxPartList&category=&keywords=Ignition-and-Tune-Up&l1_categoryId=&l2_categoryId=-49997327*-49997333&partType=&facetFields=mfrName_exact%2CpriceBucket%2Cclearance%2Csale%2Cl2_category&beginIndex=10&pageSize=10&filters=&selectedPartNumber=&qty=1&ship2HomeClicked=

Thanks a lot Loren. When i went on that link (shown above on my first post) they show some different types varying in price from $2.99 to $13.19 including the following : NGK laser platinum , NGK Iridium type , Pulstar Iridium pulse plugs, and finally , NGK laser Iridium ones for $13.19 each !

Can you advise on these different types , including this 'Iridium' type ? Obviously I want to use the best ones, and I understand these 'Iridium' types must be the best,the cost certainly would reflect that at almost $14.00 each , whats the low down on this any info ? Cheers Dave.

I have a 2002 996 C2 , with just 23,000 miles on the clock. Because of the time factor I have decided to replace the spark plugs. However ,every time I attempt to google the type I should use for that vehicle, it takes me to web site where there are an enormous assortment of choices !

ie > http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subcategory_Ignition-and-Tune-Up_-49997333_-49997327_10151_10051_-1___

They are priced from $2.50 - $ 9.50 and all different types ? It's very confusing,and I want to use the best types,not just the brand ,but the quality, NGK, and Bosch list several different levels of plugs ,can anyone help me with this dilemma ? Thanks Dave.

Thanks a bunch Loren. It's a : 2002 Carrera coupe 996 C2 320 HP 3.6 liters , serial # WPOAA 2991 2S620376 (<< if that helps) As some one else previously said I don't know if it has the spark plug tubes/sleeves or not, as it is a 2002 and perhaps some did come with them,and some not for that year ? I have noticed a few small drops of oil under the car occasionally, I just hope its from the spark plug area, and NOT the infamous rms problem that is attached to these cars, allegedly they fixed that several years ago when I first got it at the dealer ?

Any info you can give me would be much appreciated, as to where to get the plugs (and tubes if needed ? ) cost , and specifically the brand & type needed.

Thanks loads Dave.

Thanks Loren. How about the type/brand of plugs for that vehicle,what would you recommend ?

"Porsche" brand spark plugs do not exist. Porsche has "approved" spark plugs from both Bosch and Beru - with specific heat ranges/types.

Give us the exact year and model number of your car and we can tell you the type/range to buy.

Ok ,it's a 2002 C2 996 (see my post above) can you give me the part numbers heat ranger etc ?

Thanks Loren. How about the type/brand of plugs for that vehicle,what would you recommend ?

Thanks a bunch Loren. It's a : 2002 Carrera coupe 996 C2 320 HP 3.6 liters , serial # WPOAA 2991 2S620376 (<< if that helps) As some one else previously said I don't know if it has the spark plug tubes/sleeves or not, as it is a 2002 and perhaps some did come with them,and some not for that year ? I have noticed a few small drops of oil under the car occasionally, I just hope its from the spark plug area, and NOT the infamous rms problem that is attached to these cars, allegedly they fixed that several years ago when I first got it at the dealer ?

Any info you can give me would be much appreciated, as to where to get the plugs (and tubes if needed ? ) cost , and specifically the brand & type needed.

Thanks loads Dave.

Are there such a thing as genuine "Porsche" spark plugs,or does someone else make them ? Never done this before,what does Porsche use or recommend ?

Also, should I change the spark plug tubes (sleeves) ? And where is the best place to buy these items from ? Thanks Dave.

Thanks for all the info folks. I now found a well recommended independent who will charge me 2 hours labor ($120) and I told him I would get my own plugs. I suppose I should also replace the plug sleeves as well ?

I asked him about the ignition coils,and he said if your not having any problems leave them be. It's a 2002 C2 996, but it only has 23,000 miles on the clock,so I'm assuming the ignition coils are OK ? What do you think ?

Also, should I just use the stock Porsche replacement spark plugs,or go for something different ? So far I just think a plug and sleeve change should suffice, any opinions on that, and the coils ? And last but not least any recommendations where to get the parts from ? Any advice ? Thanks a lot Brit Dave.

Ok , well thanks for the info JFP in PA . Perhaps then you can tell me what a fair price at a dealer or an independent shop would charge me to replace spark plugs ?

Also, how much are the sleeves to replace,and anything else that should be done whilst doing this job, any ignition parts ? If so what would the parts and labor cost approximately for those items ? My 2002 911/996 is now 10 years old , but only has 23000 miles on the odometer. Any input from anyone would be appreciated, thanks Brit Dave.

Sorry I can't help to answer the cost involved question but I think one of the best reasons to replace spark plugs due to time is to reduce the risk of them seizing into the cylinder heads. Spark plugs can become glazed from short trips due to them not being at operating temp long enough to burn themselves clean. This isn't so much a concern with the newer cleaner burning engine.

Just another thing to consider is replacing the ignition coils at the same time due to age.

This is exactly why it is a very good practice to put a small amount of anti seize on the plugs before torquing them in, along with a small amount of dielectric grease on the coil boot.. We have had cars come back for plug service more than eight years after we replaced them, and the old plugs came right out with no drama. A lot of people like to say that using anti seize on the plugs in these engines is not called for, but once you see the grief a seized or galled plug causes, the silver paste suddenly becomes cheap insurance. We have never had a coated plug cause a problem, regardless of age or mileage..........

It's funny you say to use anti seize,and perhaps your right ? However,on the Pelican Parts site I found the following, look what they wrote at the end :

This procedure is for the 911SC, but the other 911s are similar.

If your engine has a hard-to-correct miss, it may need a new set of spark plug wires. In some cases, when the wires are bad, you can get quite a light show when you open the engine lid at night. With the engine running, you may see sparks jumping from the spark plug cables. Another indicator of bad wires is if you get a little shock when you touch the plug wires with the engine running (be careful of the fan and AC belts).

It is a good practice to replace the distributor cap and rotor along with the wires. These two parts aren’t expensive, and replacement of them will ensure strong ignition. You can assemble the plug wires to the new distributor cap before installation. That makes it easier to observe how the old wires are routed around each other into the distributor cap, and how the braided ground straps are routed around the wires. When assembling the wires to the cap, apply a thin coat of dielectic grease on the end of each wire, around the outside of each nipple on the distributor cap and coil, and inside the end of each spark plug connector. This will ensure good electrical contact, and help with disassembly in the future if it is necessary. Be sure to orient the new distributor cap the same as the old one, and to insert the plug wires in the cap in the correct firing order.

This is also a good time to replace the spark plugs if needed. Do not use any anti-seize or lubricant on the spark plug threads—it can cause a plug to back out.

Ok ,well thanks. I wonder if there is a video somewhere on how to do a plug change ? And are you telling me at a Porsche dealer this would be a two hour job ?

I thought it involved more than that ? However since the car is 10 years old now, and still has the original plugs, it's probably a good idea to change them,even if it does only have 23 K on the odometer ?

I try to do a lot of stuff myself on my 2002 911 ,such as oil change , air filters etc, but after I saw what it takes to change the spark plugs, I thought I would leave that to the pros ?

Question, how much should I expect to pay to have 6 spark plugs put into my 2002 C-2 ? I only have 23 K miles on the clock,however my buddy says that, because it's 10 years old (and the spark plugs are as well) I need to replace them ,due to time ? Is that right ? And if so, what would be a fair price to do this ? I realize it's the mechanics time,not the plug cost,but how much,and do plugs wear out with just time, not miles ? Thanks for any input, Brit Dave.

Interesting, how often should I change my oil ? I don't drive it that much, so mileage is not a factor,but how about TIME ???

How about "Lack of use" does this really cause oil leaks,or anything else harmful to the car ?

Recently a friend of mine (Porsche owner) told me I should drive my 2002 996 more often,because not using it for long periods ,will cause oil leaks. Does anyone have any comments about that ? I try to drive it at least once a month, is that ok ?

I have a 2002 996 and understand there is a replacement part for the ashtray ? I am a non smoker so the ashtray is useless but whilst at the Rolex 24 in Daytona last month,at the Porsche corral, I saw an unoccupied one with one in it, instead of the ashtray. Can anyone help me where I can buy such a thing at ?

I would like to wash/clean my motor, and the compartment. Is there any snags to this ? Do I cover certain things with plastic bags etc ? And what type of engine cleaner is recommended ? Any thoughts or suggestions on the right way to do this ? Thanks Dave.

Check your local parts stores where you live. If not there Automotion.com, Amazon.com, and tirerack.com all have it.

Both have equal specs so if you are okay with the dye then go ahead.

Great , thanks a lot !

Spec is DOT 4 ATE Typ 200 (Gold).

That is what I use. Some folks use the Racing Blue version - the specs are the same as the gold version but it tends to dye the brake reservoir.

Thanks Loren,is that easy to find /get ? Also I heard it's a good idea to use the blue,and alternate so you can see the different color ? If all it does is dye the brake reservoir is that ok ? Thanks DC

Magnetic drain plugs are used on everything from motor cycles to Cadillac's to race cars, and on engines, transmissions and differentials; they are a low cost tool with no moving parts that can help you assess the general condition of your engine, and sometimes help identify a developing problem before it becomes a disaster. Not bad for a couple of bucks.....

Thanks, where can I get one from ?

Hi all,

A friend is going to help me change/ flush my brake fluid in my 2002 996/ 911 on Monday. Can any of you advise me on what type of brake fluid to use, does it "have to be" genuine Porsche stuff ? I live many miles from a Porsche dealer so I'm hoping I can get it at NAPA ,Pep Boys ,etc.

Any suggestions would help, in choosing the right type of fluid, also any tips you have in doing the job. Thanks a lot, Britdave.

Nice, I will look further. I see so many I'm not sure what the exact size is. If you can remember the seller and PM that would be great. Thanks!

Yes does anyone know where to find that place in China that sells the "knock off" Wheel crests / center caps etc ? I just lost another one, and noticed at the factory they hardly applied any adhesive,no wonder. Also I noticed each crest has two holes in them,as well as the center caps themselves I wonder if you can somehow screw them into the center caps ? If not why are there holes in the crest and the center caps ? I am going to remove the other 2 as well,as they are loose I just noticed,and ready to fall off. Again,where is the cheap place to get replacements at ? HELP , Britdave.