Changing spark plugs for first time in 1.2 TSI
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 11:50 am
I think my 2014 Polo 1.2 TSI (82,000 miles) needs new spark plugs. Partly it's because I don't think I'm getting sufficient mpg for this spec (see my other thread on this) and partly because I can't see any sign of plugs ever being changed in its service history.
Thing is that I haven't changed spark plugs in a very long time. I've had diesels since 2013 and the most recent petrol cars I had before then had long-life plugs. The last time I changed my own plugs was in the days when you just pulled off the HT leads, unscrewed the plugs with a wrench, gapped the new ones, then screwed the new ones in and replaced the HT leads.
It seems a more convoluted procedure now with having to remove the air ducting, remove the coil packs etc. But I'd still rather do it myself than take it to a garage as the old plugs will tell a tale in themselves.
I've read other threads on this and see that a lot of people here use custom tools to remove the ducting and the coil packs. Any particular ones that people would recommend?
Also, which specific plugs do people find are best in practice? A lot of people use a rule of thumb of Bosch for German cars and NGK for Japanese cars but I gather that the OEM plugs for the Polo are VW-badged NGK ones? Also, do they come pre-gapped for VW cars or do I need to set those as well?
Thing is that I haven't changed spark plugs in a very long time. I've had diesels since 2013 and the most recent petrol cars I had before then had long-life plugs. The last time I changed my own plugs was in the days when you just pulled off the HT leads, unscrewed the plugs with a wrench, gapped the new ones, then screwed the new ones in and replaced the HT leads.
It seems a more convoluted procedure now with having to remove the air ducting, remove the coil packs etc. But I'd still rather do it myself than take it to a garage as the old plugs will tell a tale in themselves.
I've read other threads on this and see that a lot of people here use custom tools to remove the ducting and the coil packs. Any particular ones that people would recommend?
Also, which specific plugs do people find are best in practice? A lot of people use a rule of thumb of Bosch for German cars and NGK for Japanese cars but I gather that the OEM plugs for the Polo are VW-badged NGK ones? Also, do they come pre-gapped for VW cars or do I need to set those as well?