Removing muffler for easier access to plugs?

[NikitaUCLA]

I would like to replace my spark plugs and water pump because it costs so much for a shop to do it. 

With that out of the way, is it easy to remove the muffler and rear bumber so that I can get an easier access to the plugs and water pump?

[oscarmyra]

Here is a link to the spark plug procedure that Loren posted.  I removed the mufflers which was a simple process. I have not done the water pump yet.

 

[NikitaUCLA]

Can you provide some tips to removing the muffler without having to remove the rear panel?  

[oscarmyra]

It is covered in the sports exhaust install

 

 

[zak996]

I did my lpugs about a month ago.. I tried first to just remove the rear wheels and jacked it high enough to get some good clearance but that was really tough. Theres no way I could get my hands into the back there. So I followed the pelican guide here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-996-997-Carrera/46-EXHAUST-Muffler_Replacement/46-EXHAUST-Muffler_Replacement.htm  and Lorens guide above, and even watched a youtube video.

 

It was easy enough to take the rear bumper cover off, that gives you access to the mufflers then the plastic covering then the mufflers. The only extra advice would be to spreay the exhaust clamp nuts with liquid wrench or similar the night before. I ended up heating them to take them off and one was rusty so I had to replace it (any similar carriage bolt will do). 

 

Once you have the mufflers off then its much easier to get in there. It still took patience but it wasn't hard. Wouldnt have taken me a day if I'd just removed the mufflers first. 

[Loren]

I've never found a need to remove the rear bumper just the mufflers.

The exceptions being the 996 Turbo and the GT2.

[zak996]

How do you get by step 6 (on the pelican guide) if you dont remove the bumper? 

 

Sorry pic is in-your-face-big i just pasted the url from the site!

 

Thanks,

Zak

[wyovino]

I don't see any benefit to removing the bumper either for the plugs or water pump. Actually there is no common labor between the two procedures, so it's not a "while you're in there" kind of thing to do them at the same time.  Some people have done the plugs and tubes without removing the exhaust, but I don't see how or why. Removing the mufflers is not difficult but there is a knack to it. Once you have figured out where to place the socket wrench and which extensions to use, it's easy.  I can now remove both sides in about 15 minutes.

[wyovino]

On 9/2/2016 at 5:11 PM, zak996 said:

How do you get by step 6 (on the pelican guide) if you dont remove the bumper? 

Thanks,

Zak

 

You don't need to remove the heat shields to remove the exhaust.  The only steps you need to perform out of that whole guide are steps 8 and 9.

Edited September 7, 2016 by wyovino

[zak996]

Ok I didnt realize you could slide them out the side or under without taking that off. This will make it easier next time I need to do it, thanks!

[markp92692]

Newbie Mark P

I did replace the plugs on my car, and my thought was get to know my car, and make it easy for me.  So it was remove the wheels, remove the bumper, remove the heat shield, remove the muffler..  I had good access and if it would have been required, I could remove the spark plug tubes if leaking.

One plug was really tight,  so having the leverage was good for me.  And most important,  i could check the compression since were doing all this work. and record in case it was needed later.

 

I estimate my overall time was 5 hrs,   probably 2hrs to R&R the bumpers and mufflers  - was easy .   do yourself a favor and use a makita for bolt removal and spin tight,  saves time.

 

all the best mark