Problem Replacing Spark Plug Tubes

[steve_wilwerding]

I have my 99 3.4 sitting on a palette waiting to get swapped into the Boxster, so I thought I would change the plugs and tubes. A couple of the old tubes (one on each side, of course) cracked while I was trying to take them out, and I'm afraid a few of the plastic pieces got into the valve housing.

I am taking the engine down to have the IMS upgrade done - do they have to remove the valve covers to do that? If so, then I'll just have them clean out the plastic when they do that. If not, how tough is it to remove the valve covers?

Anything else I should do to clean things out? Maybe flush some oil through and see if any of the plastic ends up in the sump?

[rb101]

How many miles is on the 99 3.4? If more then 75K, I would have the cam chain guides replaced also. You will then have an opportunity to remove the tube pieces.

[steve_wilwerding]

47K - I'll have them look at the guides when they are doing the IMS.

It sounds like they have to take the covers off anyway, so not a big deal. I'm just hoping the plastic pieces stayed in the valve cover.