So the first part of the job is to whip off the engine cover - Dead easy, just lift at each of the four corners.
I made sure to spray a bit of silicon spray grease on the rubbers when the cover was off to make it easier to get back on.
It took me a minute to figure out the coilpacks being used to VAG cars... I used a flat screwdriver to pop the clips upwards
Then disconnected the plugs by pulling the top clip to a vertical position
Using the holes in the top clips, a firm tug and the coilpacks come out!
Once the coilpacks are out, it's then simply a case of using a ratchet, extension and spark plug socket to undo the plugs
*At this point I've got to thank my colleague John for letting me use his tools*
The plugs have a very long thread on them, so take a while to wind out. Ideally once you've cracked them off with the ratchet, wind them out by hand.
A comparison of the original and replacement plugs - The originals were a bit black, but showed a nice clean burn - a nice golden brown at the tip.
The re-installation is the reverse of removal. When installing your new plugs, I recommend turning them anti-clockwise until you hear then 'click' into the thread, then gently wind them in by hand. If at this point they feel overly tight, stop what you are doing and consult a technician/mechanic/engineer to make sure it's right! You do not want to strip any thread in your cylinder head.
Ideally spray a little silicone spray lube on the inside of the coilpacks before re-installing them, give the coilpacks a good firm push once sat square on your plugs, then clip the wiring back in.
Pop the engine cover back on and you are done!
Once you are sure the engine bay is free of any tools you might have left hanging around, fire her up and make sure she runs smoothly!
If for any reason the car starts misfiring or spluttering, turn it off straight away and double check the coilpacks are: A- Pushed down properly, B- Connected properly.
I hope this 'build thread update' / 'guide' is usefull to a few people out there
Too many conflicting thoughts/ideas out there (especially from those with no experience! - which is my pet hate).
