Spark plug change help!

[Ahsai]

I have an '03 C2 and I can't wiggle out the driver's side heat shield. I tried to slide it out toward the front of the car but it keeps catching on the rear boss which it screws to. I've already flex it as much as I can but it's still stuck in there.

Any tricks to remove it?

Thanks in advance.

[Loren]

I have never had any trouble like that - do you have an after market exhaust?

I guess you could always bend it a little and then bend it back.

[Ahsai]

I have never had any trouble like that - do you have an after market exhaust?

I guess you could always bend it a little and then bend it back.

Thanks, Loren. I have stock exhaust. Seems like the shield is caught between the exhaust can mount (the mount that bolts onto the engine with multiple "legs" and it has 3 holes for the 3 studs on the exhaust can) and the engine. So even removing the exhaust won't help.

Can you confirm at least the shield comes out toward the front?

In the photo (looking up from the driver's side exhaust), you can see the shield on the top left is catching the boss it's screwed onto.

Edited December 31, 2007 by Ahsai

[Izzy]

Ahsai, I had the same problme this weekend doing my spark plugs, 03 C2. I ended up bending the rear side of the shield to get it out. It is just sheetmetal, bends back up after re-install. The passenger side did come right out....

[Ahsai]

Ahsai, I had the same problme this weekend doing my spark plugs, 03 C2. I ended up bending the rear side of the shield to get it out. It is just sheetmetal, bends back up after re-install. The passenger side did come right out....

Great! Now I know I'm not insane :)

Ok, I just wiggled it out...it took some twisting :)

Thanks for all your help guys.

Edited December 31, 2007 by Ahsai

[Ahsai]

After a lot of cursing and cuts on the hands, finally have it all done. Here are some pics of the old vs new plugs.

The old plugs have only 26k miles on it but they seem to have worn out quite a bit.

Thanks for all of your help!

[demarconstruction]

i have a 996tt and was looking for opinions on replacing my spark plugs with ahigh performance one since my car is tuned 490hp stage 1 ecu any suggestions thanks

[KevinMac]

i have a 996tt and was looking for opinions on replacing my spark plugs with ahigh performance one since my car is tuned 490hp stage 1 ecu any suggestions thanks

Only one concern the pict to the far right the new plug seems to have an out of alignment ground electrode. The good news is the old plugs seem to have the correct burn color, and they do not seem to tbe that worn at all!

[perryinva]

Funny, that's exactly what I was thinking. The old plugs look great! Hey, but I REALLY like that socket set & holder..anyone know what it is? As far as the 996TT, use the recommended plug.

Edited May 5, 2008 by perryinva

[Ahsai]

Funny, that's exactly what I was thinking. The old plugs look great! Hey, but I REALLY like that socket set & holder..anyone know what it is? As far as the 996TT, use the recommended plug.

The wear is very obvious when compared side by side with the new plug. Doesn'[t show well in the photo. The new plugs make the engine smoother for sure. The sockets and holder (made by Hansen) are both from Sears.

[perryinva]

Excellent! Thanks for the info Good to know that the plugs really are worth changing every 30k as specified. Mine were done by the PO about 1500 miles ago. Cost me $150 because the indie shop did not tighten down the #1 plug coil and I got a CEL