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Porsche 997: How to Replace 997.2 Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are regular maintenance for your 997.2, and Porsche advises to service them frequently. Once you learn how to do a plug change, it only gets easier.

By Jeffrey Smith - April 24, 2015
Contributors: DGrayling

This article applies to the Porsche 997.2 (2005-2012).

Changing the plugs on a Porsche 997.2 isn't exactly the most straightforward routine maintenance job you can do, but it's not as difficult as it might appear. The first time may be a little difficult, but it will become routine soon enough. Removing the mufflers to create access is probably the most difficult part of this task actually, but that only involves a few nuts and bolts. This job will take a few hours, but if you do it yourself, you will save at least a few hundred bucks otherwise spent having a professional do it. Give yourself enough time and space, and you can easily complete this job and be proud of your accomplishment.

Materials Needed

  • 19mm socket with breaker bar for lugs
  • Spark plug wrench with extension
  • Torque wrench(es) for 96 ft-lbs, 22 ft-lbs, 7.5 ft-lbs
  • 13mm deep socket
  • 13mm Elbow Ratcheting Wrench
  • E10 socket
  • T30 driver
  • 10mm socket
  • Flat head screwdriver
  • Hydraulic jack
  • Jack stands

Step 1 – Lift the rear of the car, remove tires

Jack up the rear end of your car and place on jack stands in the proper locations. Remove the rear wheels. You should break free the wheel lugs first before you set it on the jack stands as the lugs are torqued to 96 foot-pounds.

(Related Article: Porsche 997: How to Jack Up Your Car - Rennlist.com)

Figure 1. Place the rear end of the car onto jack stands.

Step 2 – Remove mufflers

  • Remove both side mufflers first. It would help to use WD40 or PBblaster on the screws and nuts beforehand and let them soak overnight.
  • Use an E12 socket to remove the muffler tips.
  • Use a 13mm deep-well socket to remove the center muffler to side muffler sleeve nuts.
  • Use a 13mm socket to remove the upper two nuts that connect the bracket to the cat. There is a third nut on the lower side that need only be loosened.
  • Use a 13mm deep well socket to remove the front of the side mufflers via the wheel well.
  • Use a 10mm socket and a T30 driver to remove the rear bumper cover support bar.
  • Slide the mufflers out from the cat bracket and off the car from the wheel wells. You'll have to rotate a little to get them out.
Figure 2. Remove the muffler bracket and bumper cover support bar.

Step 3 – Remove heat shields

Use an E10 socket to remove the two bolts that hold each of the heat shields in place on the left and right side of the engine. They aren't exactly mirror images of each other, so it will take a little rotation and contortion to get them removed and out of the way.

Figure 3. Removing the heat shields from each side of the engine is a little tricky, but not too difficult.

Step 4 – Remove coil packs

The coil packs on the 997.2 are secured by only one T30 driver bit. Slide the rubber boot up off of the electrical connector and use a flat head screwdriver to un-clip it. Simply remove the bit and the coil packs come right off, exposing the plugs.

Figure 4. The 997.2 coil packs are pretty easy to remove once the heat shields come off.

Step 5 – Remove and replace spark plugs

Use a spark plug wrench with long extension to remove the spark plugs. When replacing with fresh plugs, torque them down to 22 foot-pounds. Be careful to not cross-thread them when installing.

Figure 5. A spark plug wrench with extension will make this job easier.

Step 6 – Reassembly

With all six spark plugs changed, it's time to reassemble everything and then go for a test drive.

  • Re-install all six coil packs.
  • Re-install exhaust heat shields.
  • Re-install mufflers.
  • Refit wheels and lower car down.

With the car all buttoned up, start it and listen for any unusual noises and vibrations. If everything checks out, then you are done.

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