small weekend project

**s42k5b** · 09-29-2008 08:02 PM

I'm Planning on changing my leaky valve cover gasket, spark plugs,snub mount and and doing a oil change. I don't consider my self mechanically inclined at all so this is probably as far as i will ever go when doing work on the s myself. I was wondering if anyone has any advice for a novice like myself when doing the gasket,plugs and snub mount?

**SilverSurferS4** · 09-29-2008 08:26 PM

Make sure you have all the parts on hand, get the right tools, take your time... if you rush you will probably FFFF something else up... Read all the DIY's on those parts you want to change and make sure you confident enough to do the job.. also get a bentley manual if you dont already have one...

**mholme** · 09-29-2008 08:30 PM

This might help for the VC gaskets

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng52.shtml

Spark plugs aren't that hard, you have to remove a few things to get the coil packs out, but other than that, it's pretty straight forward

**s42k5b** · 09-29-2008 08:48 PM

is the silicone absolutely necessary?>

**HighDesertAudi** · 09-29-2008 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by s42k5b

is the silicone absolutely necessary?>

YES! Why skimp it's only a couple dollars extra.

**S4_NE** · 09-30-2008 06:06 AM

It is not to bad teh work you need done, get a friend to help out , it is nice to have an extra set of hands to hold up things and hand you tools, also Audiworld has a few good tech articals to guild you. Also search s4biturbo.com for help as well, have fun

**infinkc** · 09-30-2008 06:11 AM

do your cam tensioner seals while you are doing the vc gaskets! you need a special tool to take the tension off the cam chain also.

**s42k5b** · 09-30-2008 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by infinkc

do your cam tensioner seals while you are doing the vc gaskets! you need a special tool to take the tension off the cam chain also.

might be getting in over my head with that

**RolledMySTi** · 09-30-2008 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by s42k5b

is the silicone absolutely necessary?>

It is very necessary and if you don't do a good job of sealing up the corners you will have valve covers that leak oil on the manifolds. Trust me I know.