mshan

I have a 1999 Audi A4 1.8TQ.

It still has stock spark plugs and runs fine with about 39,000 miles on it.

Are there any rules of thumb about when I should change spark plugs? Or are there particular signs / symptoms?

I know it's supposed to be a pretty easy DIY task, but I don't know much about cars and am just worried that I might really mess something up (like electrical systems?)

mshan

I'm fairly mechanically inclined, I just don't know anything about cars.

Is a DIY spark plug change idiot-proof (that is I can not inadvertently damge some system such as the electrical system)?

What particular spark plug brand / model is recommended? I use my car as a daily driver and am more concerned with reliability, longevity, and good mpg rather than performance.

I think I also remember reading about some gap measuring tool and some wiring to the spark plugs that has to be changed?

shmeeny

Go to the dealer to get the plugs (you might pay $5-10 more woopie...) I forget the actual plug part # but its in the FAQ. About the only way you could screw it up if you have a torque wrench is to forget to unplug the coil pack before you remove them and end up breaking a wire. Other than that.... just unplug the coil pack, pop it off unscrew the plug insert the new one, torque to 22ft/lbs and put the coil pack back on and repeat. You may want to double check that the plugs from the dealer are gapped correctly, but they should come pre-gapped (for a 2001 like mine its .32 IIRC its between .28 and .32 for a 1999).

Honestly it shouldnt take but 10 to 15 minutes to do tops.

mshan

I don't have a gap measuring tool.

If I get the OEM spark plugs from the dealer (I take it VW is just as good as Audi?), what problems or symptoms could I expect if the gap was wrong?

Shep 1.8T

misfires, just buy a spark plug gapper at any auto parts store for 99 cents

CTA4AVANT

And a dab of dielectric grease on the spark plug boots and spark plug connectors/ends before putting the new ones in.<ul><li><a href="http://shop.store.yahoo.com/autoaccessconnect/digr.html">Dielectric Grease</a></li></ul>

shmeeny

What shep said.. it is pretty cheap, but most likely you will be fine.

mshan

- OEM spark plugs from the Audi dealer (newbie question, but how many do I need?)
- anti-seize
- torque wrench (22 ft. lbs.)
- spark plug gap tool or pagger (what's the correct term)?

shmeeny

4 Plugs
Anti-Seize is optional
Gapper is semi-optional
torque wrench yes

mshan

If so, is there a particular size?

If not, is there a general use tool that I can use instead?