How do you replace spark plug wires on a Audi 2.8 liter?

Answer 1

There are some decent how-to articles out there if you search. But I just changed the plugs on my 98 Quattro 2.8L to NGK Irradiums, and there is a noticeable fuel consumption and power performance improvement. So you have to remove all the plastic, the main Audi rings symbol on the top. This just requires a flat head screwdrive and turn the plastic srews a half turn to release each of them.

Once that is off, you have to choose a side to start (driver or passenger). Choose driver, and remove the plastic with another two plastic screws (half-turn), and set that aside. Now, you'll see there are 3 wires going from the distributor in front going to the 3 locations under where you just took the plastic off. Start with the wire closest to the front of the car, and carefully grasp the 90 degree bend wiggle, twist, and slightly pull it off. You should feel a release *pop* and be careful not to just whip it out, as it's covered in oil. I used a couple old pairs of socks to carefully remove the rubber "pack" which is about 7 inches long and put in the sock, and tuck it back away from the hole you just pulled it out of.

Now you need a 5/8" spark plug socket socket (the one with a piece of rubber in it to hold the plug from falling out), and a super long extension (about 1.5 ft long). Insert the socket with extension and a wrachet and the plug is down at the bottom of the hole covered in oil. Lefty-loosey the plug out, again being careful not to sling oil all over, use a rag to grab the plug with when it comes out.

Remove plug from socket, clean well with rag, and pug the new plug in the extension, and insert it into the hole, righty-tighty it. It's best to use a torque wrench, as the block is aluminum I think, and you don't want to strip out the threads. Again, I think the torque spec is 20 ft-lb, but not positive. If don't have a torque wrench, just tighten a bit past the theads tighten, be careful!

Replace the rubber wire pack into the hole, and push until you feel and hear a "pop" back onto the plug. Repeat this with the remaining two plugs (middle, and cloest to the steering wheel).

Replace the plastic, and repeat for the passenger side. Keep i mind, you'll have to remove 2 screws on the radiator fluid reservoir to get access to the plugs on driver side. You'll have to remove air intake tube (just a hose clamp), to get access to passenger side plugs.

After you've replaced each, it's good to label old plugs in the boxes just in case you need to switch them back if your car doesn't like the new ones. Fire the car up, and you'll have a considerable amount of white smoke come out the tail pipe, burning off the oil that was stuck under the plug from removing and reinstalling. Just drive it a little hard, and rev it, and it'll go away.

Also it's good to disconnect battery while you work on your motor ever.