Replacing your spark plugs on your 2000-2006 Audi TT is crucial for engine longevity and performance. Without regular maintenance, you might experience something as minor as a drop in fuel economy, or something more serious like an engine misfire. Neglecting such preventative maintenance can lead to more serious and expensive issues down the road.
Replacing the spark plugs is actually quite easy on these cars, and I replaced my spark plugs since they were due for replacement. While I was there, I found that my valve cover was leaking because of the gasket, the spark plug wells were filled with motor oil. Because of this, I also discovered that my ignition coils were soaked with oil. Ignition coils typically don’t have a replacement interval, and are known to last for over 100k miles.
If you find that your spark plug wells are filled with oil, it’s an obvious sign the the valve cover gasket is not holding up and is allowing oil to leak from the engine into those spark plug wells. I will have a post soon going over the required steps to replacing your valve cover gasket. You may also want to replace the ignition coils while you’re there if it has never been replaced.
With both the ignition coils and the spark plugs, you don’t need much time to replace them on the MK1 Audi TT as they are quite accessible and easy to change out. Just make sure you have the proper tools and you’ll be able to perform this job in under 30 minutes.
Parts & Tools Needed
Spark Plugs
The original spark plugs that come with the MK1 Audi TT is: NGK PFR6Q. These are the NGK Laser Platinum plugs, which are the OEM-spec spark plugs.
NGK (6458) PFR6Q Laser Platinum Spark Plug, Pack of 1
Ignition Coils
NGK U5003 (48843) Coil-On-Plug Ignition Coil
Other Tools and Materials
Mechanics/Socket Set: LLNDEI 3/8”Drive Impact Socket Set, 95-pc
Nitrile Gloves: TitanFlex Disposable Nitrile Gloves – Black, Large 100-ct Box
Shop Towels: Kimberly-Clark SCOTT Shop Towel Roll, 55 Count (Pack of 1)
Torque Wrench: EPAuto 3/8-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench 10-80 ft-lb. / 13.6-108.5 Nm
Replacing the Spark Plugs and Ignition Coils
First, remove the engine covers. Then, remove the vacuum box on top of the engine by the (1 qty) nut. Then remove the (3 qty) bolts for this mount piece.
You already have access to the spark plugs and the ignition coils at this point. Remove the ignition coils by unclipping the electric connectors by squeezing them and pulling them out of the connector. Then, pull the ignition coil directly out of the spark plug well. Remove all (4 qty) ignition coils and set them aside. When I removed my ignition coils, I immediately saw them soaked in motor oil, which tells me I have a leak in my valve cover gasket.
If you have motor oil in your spark plug chambers, you should remove as much oil as you can before you remove the spark plugs. You don’t want the oil to go into the combustion chamber when you remove the spark plugs. Use absorbant shop towels and push them into the spark plug wells and push them further down with a flat head screwdriver. Try pushing the shop towel into the opening between the spark plug and the wells so that the shop towel soaks up the oil. If you need to replace your valve cover gasket, check out this in-depth guide to replacing it, which you can do at this time.
Finally, remove each spark plug using a spark plug socket and socket extension. Remove each of the (4 qty) spark plugs.
Now, install your new spark plugs into each chamber. Usually spark plugs will come pre-gapped for your vehicle, but I usually do a quick check on the gap prior to installation. This just saves me the trouble of having to remove them just in case the gap is out of spec when you buy them.
Use just a socket extension and thread them carefully in by hand. Once you’ve gotten them all screwed in by hand, then you can go back with a torque wrench and torque down the (4 qty) spark plugs to torque.
If you are installing new ignition coils, now is the time to install them. Otherwise, install the old ones back on by pressing them in until the snap in. The connector plug should go in at the top (towards the windshield). With all four ignition coils in place, connect the electrical connectors to each ignition coil.
Replace everything back in reverse of removal to complete the job. As you can see, replacing the spark plugs and ignition coils on the MK1 Audi TT is very easy to do.
