I tried changing my own spark plugs :(

[Kitchen]

So after successfully cleaning my Mass Air flow sensor i decided to move onto my spark plaugs ...well while taking the first boot off the first spark plug i notice a small rip on the boot ...thinking that it wouldnt affect me taking it off i pulled on the boot not the wire and it completely ripped away.....now my question is from the pictures below can anyone tell me if these spark plug wires are original OEM or they after market???


if they are original OEM then that expalins why it tore apart like that seein as they would be 10 years old.

[FineExampl]

wtf is up with the duct tape?!

[vdubbugman53]

wow yea those look OEM to me......can you say power washer....that engine bay looks like it needs a real bad cleaning

[wawalker]

You can buy a set just like OEM at AutoZone--they carry Bosch wires. Really, lots of people end up replacing the wires when they change plugs anyway--as often the old brittle wires will start causing misfires. Have fun, and yeah, pick up a few cans of Gunk Engine Cleaner/Degreaser while you're there!

[Kitchen]

i got 2 of the spark plugs out now ...this is what they look like......

[wawalker]

Those look like Bosch Platinum +4's

[Kitchen]

they are....... i am replacing them with Bosch Platinum +2's

[vdubbugman53]

Oem Ngk Ftw

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by Kitchen

they are....... i am replacing them with Bosch Platinum +2's

Good choice. I put those in the wife's 2.0L after reading some varying feedback on the +4's.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Wow man, no offense but I'd be afraid to put my hand down in that engine compartment for fear of being attacked and swallowed up by some wild creature.

It looks as though proper maintenance has been a stranger there, doesn't surprise me that the plug wires came apart like that.

I would suggest cleaning the area thoroughly and replacing the plugs and plug wires with OEM parts, make sure that you apply a little anti seize coompound to the threads and then torque to spec.

[Kitchen]

Originally Posted by Too Cold NB1.8T

Wow man, no offense but I'd be afraid to put my hand down in that engine compartment for fear of being attacked and swallowed up by some wild creature.

It looks as though proper maintenance has been a stranger there, doesn't surprise me that the plug wires came apart like that.

I would suggest cleaning the area thoroughly and replacing the plugs and plug wires with OEM parts, make sure that you apply a little anti seize coompound to the threads and then torque to spec.

already way ahead of ya ordered the wires today, should be here tommorow and getting the anti seize....the engine is dirty thats how it was when i got it, i havent had a chance to give it a througho cleaning....i dont wanna put water on it and have it short out anything ....even though i know this wont happen i'm afraid it will happen to me lol

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

As long as you are careful not to flood the engine with water, you will be fine, spray some degreaser on a "Cold" engine and let it sit for about 10 minutes then thoroughly wash it off with a garden hose, repeat the process if necessary.

Once the engine and transmission are clean top to bottom, wipe down hoses, wires, the airbox etc., now start the engine and let it idle for about 20 minutes or so, or until the water evaporates from the engine.

A dirty greasey engine runs hotter than a clean one, it is also easier to work on and spot leaks or some other possible problems when the engine is clean, besides, it makes one proud to open the hood...

[LadybugEwa]

I've been wanting to clean up under the hood too, but I'm worried. Will the degreaser not harm hoses/plastic parts?
What areas should I definitely avoid? Are you saying that I can actually spray water over something like the battery cover, and it will be o.k.?

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

No no no, degreaser is not an acid, it is a chemical compound that is designed to release baked on contaminants os that they can more easily be washed away, much like what oven cleaner does.

Just don't get it or water in your air intake or areas such as that, engine degreasers should not be harmful to engine parts as long as you follow the directions on the can.