Spark plugs again.

[Trebor]

Hi there jazzettes.is possible to change the spark plugs on my mk2 without removing the cowling??

[madasafish]

I believe small hands and sensitive fingers make it possible.

[FordPrefect8]

Hi there jazzettes.is possible to change the spark plugs on my mk2 without removing the cowling??

That would be hell... honestly it's not that difficult, just few bits to take off, have 10mm spanner at hand.
I did this twice so far and even with cowling and shelf out it's a fiddly job.

[culzean]

It isn't hard to get plastic and then the metal shelf undone, no need to remove wiper motor just take out the three bolts and push it to one side.  Don't fancy trying to do the plugs with the shelf still there.

[Trebor]

Re spark plug removal,why I say can the plugs be removed with out taking the cowl off,is because I don’t think the plugs have been removed,nothing has been disturbed,the garage said they renewed the plugs I can’t help thinking I’ve been done up like a kipper.

[culzean]

Re spark plug removal,why I say can the plugs be removed with out taking the cowl off,is because I don’t think the plugs have been removed,nothing has been disturbed,the garage said they renewed the plugs I can’t help thinking I’ve been done up like a kipper.

Wouldn't be the first time a garage has made kippers out of its customers.

[Westy36]

Re spark plug removal,why I say can the plugs be removed with out taking the cowl off,is because I don’t think the plugs have been removed,nothing has been disturbed,the garage said they renewed the plugs I can’t help thinking I’ve been done up like a kipper.

Sorry to hear it. I've bought used cars with service invoices from main dealers. Pollen filters charged for yet never changed. Theft of poor old customers money, but the garage know that 99+% of customers will never ever check if the work has been done as billed. 

Some workshop managers do not give their techs enough time to do the jobs properly in the interests of profitability, so corners are cut.

[ssashton]

I got a Jazz about a month ago, used. The owner said it had new plugs about a year ago as part of a service. When I took a look 3 out of 4 were new! Also not quite the right ones; Denso with 0.9mm gap but Honda quote 1.1mm - 1.3mm.

Like.. why go to all the effort needed on these cars to do plugs and only do 3 of them? I guess the garage used what they had in stock and they only had 3. Or they just made a mistake a re-installed one of the originals.

Leads to my second point - This is the most difficult car to do spark plugs on that I've ever owned. Garage might naively quote 15 minutes then when they find it's a 1 hour job decide to make you a kipper. Although, given how popular the Jazz is...

Also you do not need to move the wiper motor out the way, it comes out with / fixed to the metal cowling. Just un-plug it, remove the 5 bolts for the cowling and 1 bolt to the far side with a rubber damper that helps support the wiper motor on the main bulkhead.

[Keekster71]

As I own a classic beetle with twin carbs I reckon it’s easier to change the plugs on my jazz. The gap is big enough but you really need a mixture of different socket extensions so the ratchet is at the right height to fit between the cowling and the rocker cover. Get the height right and it’s not too bad.