GTO Project - Part 11

Just for completeness of documenting the changes to the GTO, I figured it was worth including my attempt at changing the spark-plugs.  I live-blogged this on facebook at the time, before I started logging everything on here. It was done a few months ago so its a little out of sync from the rest.

4:29pm: About to attempt the spark plugs on the GTFO... this should be interesting.

5:01pm Step1: Rear turbo pipe removed... nothing has exploded yet...

Intake pipe to throttle body. It appears to be covered in some red/white substance.  Possibly a combination of copper grease and silicone sealant.  Maybe a minor boost leak at some point in the past, and this was a bodge to fix it.  Something that will need cleaning up at some point.  I had intended to get the dress-up kit for the car anyway, so when I fit the replacement Y pipe I will deal with it then.

5:30pm Vacuum hoses are a nightmare, and these clips can sod right off...

6:15pm According to the guide there should be an EGR valve here... doesn't look like it's ever had one.  I have no idea what an EGR actually does, but as the car seems to be running fine I wont get too worked up about it.

6:28pm VICTORY! ..ish. Now to get the plugs out, do a compression test and put it all back together. 

6:43pm Hmm. Oil in the intake manifold. Guessing that's going to be leaking turbos. Awesome. And some black residue in the plenum too.

9:20pm After a break for dinner and F1: Compression test results.  Looks like the middle two cylinders are running a little low on compression. Still within expected numbers but a fair discrepancy between high /low. This was a cold test tho so the accuracy won't be spot on.

9:24pm Old plugs out. Dont look too terrible. New plugs in... now to put it all back together. Crap :p

10:24pm Getting there...

11:17pm It is done.... now to see if it actually starts!!!

11:19pm Started first time. I rock :)

After taking it for a spin I think we can call that a success. Nothing exploded. Power delivery is now silky smooth all through the rev range. No popping, back-firing, or mis-firing. It doesn't seem to have affected the 0-60 times at all but the overall drive is much better.   Its probably worth re-visiting the compression test with a warm engine though, although that presents its own challenges.

7hrs total, although some of that was watching F1 and eating dinner.  So while it was slow going, it was definitely worth it.  Apart from anything else it would a good learning experience on how to get around the engine bay on this thing. Next time i could do it a lot quicker, especially if I had an extra pair of hands to help.