Spark Plug Tube Replacement

[mattbru2]

For a 1998 Boxster, I am having a bit of leaking oil from the spark plug tubes. My trusted local ship says the cam covers need to come off to swap them. Everything I can find on the internet says this is not the case and people just pull them from the outside. A second shop in the area also said the covers need to come off.

 

What is the truth here? Is there some earlier variant that can't be changed with the covers on, or is this just the "official" way to swap them to avoid seal damage?

[JE 17]

You definitely need to find people more familiar with the brand!

NO! You do not need to disassemble anything. Get a one inch boat plug and yank them. YouTube can illustrate. Also, unless they are cracked, just replace the o-rings at each end.

 

Just did this two weeks ago.

Edited Wednesday at 06:18 PM by JE 17
Clarity

[JFP in PA]

52 minutes ago, mattbru2 said:

For a 1998 Boxster, I am having a bit of leaking oil from the spark plug tubes. My trusted local ship says the cam covers need to come off to swap them. Everything I can find on the internet says this is not the case and people just pull them from the outside. A second shop in the area also said the covers need to come off.

 

What is the truth here? Is there some earlier variant that can't be changed with the covers on, or is this just the "official" way to swap them to avoid seal damage?

Welcome to RennTech 

Both shops are probably basing their estimates on the later engines that have fixed non removeable tubes, which do require pulling the cam covers to reseal.

 

On yours, the tubes are removable and can be resealed, but car we get in the shop we would typically replace both the tubes and the seals because these tubes are plastic which harden and often crack and leak in other place than where the Orings seal them.  Another and more pricey option is to replace the plastic tubes with aftermarket aluminum replacements that will never harden or leak.

[scanner-1]

What year do they change to the non-removeable tubes?

[JFP in PA]

13 hours ago, scanner-1 said:

What year do they change to the non-removeable tubes?

 

On some models, starting in 2002.