Thoughts on what you see here...

[t4dodge]

Putting some new coilpacks and plugs in my daughter's 2000 1.8T and figured I'd share some images... Any concerns??

Hack job??



Old Plugs...
(Sadly not in their removed order...)





Sparkplug tunnels (or whatever you guys might call them...)
What's the stuff down there? Looks like rusty chips...
Going to vacuum them out tomorrow...

[IndyTom]

The 4th Coil connector has been replaced and spliced into the harness. There is a better way of doing that. A couple of my plastic connectors broke and I just bought 2 new connectors and carefully removed the wires from the old connector and then placed them into the new Connectors. Whoever did this bought a new connector with wires and then just cut the harness and used butt connectors to splice the new connector to the harness. It works but just doesn't look very professional.

WOW, those sparkplugs have seen better days. What brand are they? I have replaced my sparkplugs with these:
Amazon.com: NGK (6418) BKR6EIX Iridium IX Spark Plug, Pack of 1: Automotive

They work very well with the 1.8 engine and are a bit cheaper than the stock NGK double platinum plugs.

Question: Was there any Oil on the Coils? When I replaced my plugs the first time I had oil on mine which is a sign that the valve cover gasket is leaking. I replaced the gasket and now my coils and coil tubes are clean and free of any oil.

That debris is probably some blow by from spark plugs not being properly torqued down. Probably some carbon and oil heated up and dried up. I would clean it real well and put new spark plugs in and see what happens. Check them again in a couple of months just to see what they look like.
Those that came out of there look like they were the wrong heat range or perhaps they were just very very old? Lots of carbon fouling on those plugs.

Another thing. I see you still have the old cloth covered braided stock vacuum hoses. I would get rid of those crappy hoses and replace them with some silicone hoses. They will last a long time and you don't have to worry about those old crappy hoses failing which they will.

Good Luck, I hope you will get her running again real soon!.

[t4dodge]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

Question: Was there any Oil on the Coils?

Fortunately no...

My preferred method of leaking oil at the moment is by the drain plug...

Thanks for the feedback...
-John

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by t4dodge

My preferred method of leaking oil at the moment is by the drain plug...

Thanks for the feedback...
-John

Here is the solution to your drain plug leak:
Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > ECS News > Fumoto Oil Drain Valve - Volkswagen/Audi

Just use the first part of the drain valve, the adapter Nut, and JB Weld it into place. That should seal any leak from the stripped aluminum pan. Then screw in the actual valve and Presto No more leaks and no need to ever remove the drain plug again.

Makes Oil changes quicker, less messy and without worries about stripping the threads of your Oil pan.

Or if you don't like that solution you can always install a Hybrid Oil Pan which has a STEEL bottom which will stripping the threads a bit more difficult

Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Search > Oil Pan > ES#4369 Hybrid Oil Pan Conversion Kit - 1JM198601AA