2008 V8 is this the spark plug access ?

Post by **T5AUS** » 25 Nov 2015, 21:44

Newby to one of these V8's and just doing my first service.
Could someone tell me please, are these the spark plug covers shown in the photo, I dont want to start pulling things apart until I am sure this is right, they are nothing like my old fashioned looking spark plugs in the 850
Thanks

Post by **cvergi01** » 25 Nov 2015, 22:31

Yup! well, half of them. What you have there is a "Coil On Plug" system.

Traditionally, you had one coil that would send spark to each wire via the distributor cap, then to the plug. The square bits in the pictures are basically individual coils that create their own spark, and send it down to the plug. Shorter distance for the voltage to travel and more precise timing for the win!

Remove the connectors, the 10mm bolts, and just pull those buggers straight out. I've never done them on the v8, but my guess is that the four on the other side of the engine aren't quite as easy to access?

Post by **T5AUS** » 25 Nov 2015, 22:43

Thanks cvergi01, I can move forward now. I have heard the back four are not as easy, but I think it's just a question of removing the cross bar for better access.

Post by **T5AUS** » 01 Dec 2015, 17:51

All done, as said previously by others, the fronts were easy but the back four were a little bit harder, the bigest problem being the two thin pipes that ran along the back just above were you have to pull the plugs. I found by undoing the two screws that hold the pipe clips in position I was able to move them just enough to squeeze the plugs and covers up past them. ( It might have been possible to just disconnect these pipes to lift them out of the way but not quite knowing if they were sensitive fuel or oil lines I thought better of it) I did get a problem with the farthest plug in that sits directly below the the brake servo?, there was not enough clearance here so I had to go buy a jointed socket arm which gave me the angle to get around this. The back plastic cover was also a pain getting back on (as it was getting off) you just have to wiggle a bit here and there, just don't force it, took me a few tries. (Not forgetting, the stabiliser cross member had to be removed in order to do the back section)