Despite being relatively simple, spark plugs play a significant role in any gasoline engine. Their function is to produce a spark at the required time that ignites the air and fuel mixture. All spark plugs, being exposed to extreme pressures and temperatures that occur during engine operation, wear out with time. This can cause poor engine performance, misfire and drop in fuel economy. Also, a worn spark plug can have a larger electrode gap, which requires higher voltage and can lead to premature ignition coil failure.
While changing the spark plugs on your Porsche may be intimidating, it’s actually very straight forward and a great way to save money doing it yourself. Additionally, when changing your spark plugs, be sure to inspect the ignition coils; ignition coils are known to fail and should be treated as wear-and-tear items. To get an overview of the procedure, check out this video from the YouTube channel, NoMechanic. While the video covers process on an Audi A4, the motor is nearly identical to the one found on the base model Macan. Detailed step-by-step instructions, along with the parts and tools you’ll need, can be found below.
Spark plug: 18 ft-lbs
Ignition coil fastening bolts: 10 ft-lbs
Ignition wiring fastening bolt: 8 ft-lbs
Step 1: Prepare your vehicle and work area
- Since you’ll be working on the engine, perform the spark plug replacement with a cold engine to eliminate the risk of burns.
- Additionally, you do not want to remove or install spark plugs when the engine is hot or you can damage the spark plug threads in the engine.
- Park your vehicle on a flat solid surface.
- Put on eye protection and gloves.
- Gather the required parts and tools.
Step 2: Gain access to the spark plugs
- Open the hood and remove the black plastic engine cover; pull up the front side of the cover first, then pull up on the backside.
- Locate the ignition coils and the wiring harness that is connected to them; remove the wire on each ignition coil using a 10mm socket and ratchet.
- There is a wiring connector above the ignition coil closest to the windshield; remove it from the bracket to gain full access to the ignition coil below.
- To disconnect the wiring harness, push the retention clip outwards, like in this video. It shows this procedure on an Audi, but the engine is nearly identical as the Macan’s.
- With all four clips loose, use both hands to evenly pull the wiring harness out of the ignition coils; move them aside as much as possible to make room for working on ignition coils.
- Use a deep 10mm socket and ratchet to remove the bolts securing the ignition coils.
- Remove the ignition coils by pulling upward; you may need to wiggle and twist the ignition coils to get them free.
- Inspect the ignition coils for cracks and replace them if necessary.
Step 3: Replace the spark plugs
- Using a ratchet, long extension, and a 5/8″ magnetic spark plug socket, remove the old spark plugs.
- If desired, visually inspect each spark plug for contaminants and deposits as shown in this video from Dennis Kirk Inc; the condition of spark plugs can reveal a lot about the engine condition.
- Take extreme caution when installing the new spark plugs to avoid cross threading; use a spark plug installer tool to thread each spark plug by hand.
- After threading the spark plugs into the cylinder head until they’re seated, torque each spark plug to 18 ft-lbs of torque; DO NOT OVER TORQUE THE SPARK PLUGS!
Step 4: Reinstall everything
- Reinstall the ignition coils in reverse.
- Tighten the ignition coil retaining bolts to 10 ft-lbs or just snuggly hand tighten.
- Be sure to reconnect the ignition coil wires.
- Pop the plastic engine cover back in place.
- Clean up your work area and you’re all done!
Dale says:
Hi and thanks for the tutorial. What should the spark plug gap be set to for the 2019 4 cylinder base macan engine?
Jack says:
Product specs from Bosch web site, for the Bosch 8160, says “Bosch precious metal spark plugs are pre-gapped at the factory and do not require a gap adjustment. Adjusting the gap may damage the center and ground electrodes.”