hello

Im planning on getting the spark plugs changed on my 99 S80. But can I trust a non volvo mechanic to do this job on my car. Has anyone ever gotton there plugs changed at a non volvo mechanic.

 

Of course a non Volvo shop can change plugs. You can do it yourself! If you find through referrals a competent european auto shop go see them. The alternative is to go to the dealer. Changing plugs is a no brainer and quite frankly you should perform the service yourself.

r.

 

yea any tech can do it.

I changed mine the night I got my mine.

 

i think you need a 30 torx , 10mm socket and an extension, about 5 to 7 inches long and a 5/8 spark plug socket. and a ratchet. and when reinstalling put a tiny spot of anti-seize on each plug...

 

What plugs you planning on replacing with?we have been thru this many many times and its generally agreed that one should either go OEM or Bosch...

 

if you have the t6 go with a copper plug as they tend to run cooler and gap it at around .25 .. i received that tip from a turbo tech and have had nothing but good results with mine.. they are champions. 1.59 each..

 

I have already bought the OEM ones from fcpgorton.com so I should be getting them any day now.

Can anyone provide me step bye instructions on chaning the plugs.

 

This guide is very similar so you should be ok with it
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/how...rkplugs850.php

I assume you got the correct number of plugs etc? How much were they if you dont mind me asking?

 

is it a T6 or the non turbo version

 

Its a 2.9 non turbo with 147K miles. Last spark plug change was at 76K by the owner before me. The plugs he put in back then are autolite double platinums.

 

That was a bit of a long interval for a change... Normally they say dont leave your plugs for more than 30k miles....
I suspect you will notice quite a difference once you change the plugs...
When changing my plugs from OEM , I went with Bosch Irridium Fusions... they cost about $8 each but I think it was well worth it..

 

You mean just a difference on MPG or will I feel a difference in other things also like performance. Im also getting a K@N air filter installed as I orderedit along with the plugs on FCPGORTON.com.Right now im getting about 25-26 MPG on the highway. So I hope those numbers go up.

 

Well i'm not entirely sure how the computer calculates, if it takes into consideration things like increased airflow etc.. depends on where the sesnor is positioned and how it functions.. maybe someone like tech could tell you more about that
I just think you will get more performance out of the car, maybe a smoother power curve... I cant really tell you for sure, but i would assume the old plugs are pretty burned out..
autolite isnt a brand i ever really associate with volvo's...looks like he cheaped out when changing the plugs last time (or bought them at walmart!)...

 

non turbo n/a car with platinum plugs i wouldnt suggest changing them every 30.. theyll easily last 60k or so.. now if you run a t6 or another turbo car with coppers id definately change them every 25 to 30k...

 

Anyone know what material the OEM volvos are?

also what would be the advantage of the volvos over aftermarket brands such as bosch..

 

just that volvo stands behind them like any other car manufacturer would on their product. id say there are a number of plugs that are as good or better, but volvo would never tell you that. ive always been happy with NGK or Denso plugs. and who knows.. volvos plug may be a rebadged ngk....or a rebadged bosch..

 

No offense (OK, maybe a little offense) but that guide sux! The only two pieces of info I needed were what to set the gap to and what to set my torque wrench to. He "believes" the right gap is .028 and recommends tightening a "sufficient" amount. Gee, thanks!

Anyone know the right gap and torque for my S80? I've got the Haynes book on its way, just don't think it'll get here before this weekend.

 

Certain brands like bosch do not need to be gapped if you buy good plugs...
That way you have alot less stress to deal with when installing the plugs... I'm not sure of the spec on the volvo but the gapping spec is dictated by the plug, not the guide...

 

The OEM gap is .030 but if running higher boost then .025.

 

techs right.. and a good plug that is just for your car will be pregapped. but if running a turbo always go smaller gap as he stated.. i promise. you will be happy....