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[Enceladus]

If the engine still has the factory leads or genuine Bosch replacement leads then they should have numbered ring tags fitted on them. Don't pull the plug caps out of the plug wells using the leads. Grip the cap and pull the caps straight up. You might find an orange/brown plastic tool fitted over one of the plug caps. This is a handle to aid pulling the caps straight up.

Report back immediately and before you remove the plugs if you find the wells flooded with oil and/or water.

The plug at the rear of the nearside bank is hard to get at, even with a flexible joint. That's why the plugs don't get changed. Post back for advice.

The standard two pole plugs, GM #9195109 / Bosch FLR8LDCU are fine. Designed for 20k miles. The later four pole plugs don't do anything for performance, they're just meant to last longer, to increase the service interval. But do you really want to do 40k miles in a 20 year old car without inspecting the plugs?

Fill the engine with 10W-40 semi-synthetic. Don't be tempted to use any of the fully synthetic grades. Not unless you have a bullet proof history that shows it's been running on synthetic for some years. Else you will develop oil leaks. But if the oil hasn't been changed for years then consider another oil change at 1000 miles or so. And thereafter at least annually, or every 5k if earlier.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I would ask KeithABS for a price of all the parts before doing anything else.

[Andy B]

.... To find out what type oil filter you need, look under the passenger side towards the front of the engine. You will see either a normal oil filter, if not a normal filter then it is a paper element type.

 .....

I thought a normal filter was a paper filter ..... 

[Andy B]

Sorry this is a very basic question, am getting a service on my W-reg 2000 2.5l Elite auto and there's two options to buy the kit - one with 4 plugs and a metal oil filter, the other has 6 plugs with a paper filter. Which one would I go for? Thanks in advance.

You need to bear in mind that some people seem to think they need to 'upgrade' the original paper filter element type filter housing with a spin on canister type. If it's the paper element type be careful removing the bowl as if it's been over tightened in the past, there's a good chance that the housing it screws onto will come loose. The bowl has the torque setting on it (15Nm? 25Nm?  ) 

[dave the builder]

you can counter hold the housing with a chain wrench or similar when cracking the thread to get the top off if it's tight
some "mechanics" seem to torque oil filters,sump plugs,spark plugs and wheel nuts to 1 million newton meters ,which is incorrect according to the haynes joke book  workshop manual 

[TheBoy]

For the oil filter, you need to visually check. As standard, up to 1998 cars came with a traditional spin-on filter, Post 1999 came with a paper element type.  However, many of the misinformed have changed to a spin on type because they cant handle "new stuff" . So a quick visual check is warranted.


If not services "for ages", then:
Oil
Oil Filter (approx. 6.5l)
Air Filter
Fuel filter
6 twin electrode spark plugs
Pollen filter
Brake fluid
(check pads and discs, and replace in axle sets if required)
(check suspension bushes, and replace in axles sets if required)
(check shocks, and replace in axle sets if requied)

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

And then the cambelt and tensioners.

[TheBoy]

And then the cambelt and tensioners.

I'm trying to forget those, else I might scare myself into doing TBE

[vegasgogo]

It wasn't me who serviced it but a local garage. They couldn't do the plugs as they said lots of gaskets need to be replaced in getting to them?

[TheBoy]

It wasn't me who serviced it but a local garage. They couldn't do the plugs as they said lots of gaskets need to be replaced in getting to them?

Nah, they were feeding you some BS.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Not a single gasket could ever need replacing to get to any of the plugs. How the hell do these people stay on business ?

[Doctor Gollum]

Unless they mean that the cam cover gaskets have leaked and they haven't communicated it properly 

To do that 'properly' the job officially calls for plenum and inlet to bridge seals...