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 engine misfire. Neglecting such preventative maintenance can lead to more serious and expensive issues down the road.
The replacement interval for spark plugs is usually every 30k miles. Ignition coils typically don’t have a replacement interval, and are known to last for over 100k miles. Both replacing the ignition coils and replacing the spark plugs are both very easy jobs and can easily be done at the same time. I personally replaced the spark plugs because they were due for replacement, but I also replaced my ignition coils because they were soaked with oil due to a valve cover gasket leak.
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. You’ll need (4 qty) spark plugs for these cars.
NGK (6458) PFR6Q Laser Platinum Spark Plug, Pack of 1
Ignition Coils
Just like the spark plugs, you’ll need (4 qty) ignition coils too if you need to replace them.
NGK U5003 (48843) Coil-On-Plug Ignition Coil
Other Tools and Materials
Mechanics Set with 5/8″ Spark Plug Socket: 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 reservoir on top of the engine via the (1 qty) nut. Then, remove the (3 qty) bolts for this mounting bracket.
You already have access to the spark plugs and the ignition coils at this point. Remove the ignition coils by unclipping the electrical connectors, squeezing and pulling the connectors off of the ignition coils. Pull the ignition coil straight up 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 oil, which tells me I likely have a leak in my valve cover gasket.
Keep in mind that on the MK1 Audi TT, there have been different ignition coil parts over the years, so yours may look a little difference from mine. Some ignition coils are bolted in, so you’d have to remove those bolts prior to removing the ignition coils.
If you have motor oil in your spark plug wells, 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. In fact, if you already have oil there, you should proceed to remove the valve cover to change out the valve cover gasket and address the oil leak first.
Finally, remove each spark plug using a spark plug socket and socket extension. Remove each of the (4 qty) spark plugs.
Now, install the 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 in the rare case that the gap is out of spec when you buy them.
Use just a socket extension with the spark plug held by the spark plug socket and carefully thread it 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 22 ft-lbs (30Nm) torqure.
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. Make sure the connector is facing up towards the windshield. If your ignition coils were bolted in originally, make sure to bolt them back. The connector plug should plug into the ignition coils 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 and it will keep your engine running in tip-top shape.
