Looking to replace the spark plugs in the VRS, I like to do this every 2 years or so.

 

Does anyone have any advice on the correct plugs and if there are any advantages to some brands / models of plug?

I've no experience of any 'performance' plugs but before you replace, have you removed, inspected, cleaned and gapped the current plugs?

 

Plugs last much longer these days, and usually any damage /erosion is visible so I'd check the current set rather than just swapping.

Looking to replace the spark plugs in the VRS, I like to do this every 2 years or so.

 

Does anyone have any advice on the correct plugs and if there are any advantages to some brands / models of plug?

don't waste your money

What is skoda's recommended life of the plugs BTW?  Anybody know?  I bet they will go on for far far longer.  I do think it is worth checking them as it isn't hard (so long as they are easy to reach, I've not had to try yet on this engine).  Although modern engines are covered in sensors its nice to use your own eyes and look for clues of problems/confirm all is well occasionally.

Lifespan is likely to be 5 years or 60,000 miles at least

No point checking them just replace if you feel the need but modern spark plugs are designed to last years

Lifespan is likely to be 5 years or 60,000 miles at least

No point checking them just replace if you feel the need but modern spark plugs are designed to last years

+1

Thanks for this - I will take your advice!

 

Is it worth removing them and giving them a clean - I'm sure they need it occasionally?

I think the old adage if it ain broke, don't 'fix' it applies here. You aren't experiencing any problems and unless you have the correct plug gap tools, you are more likely to introduce problems (wrong plug gap etc) by fiddling with it. By all means remove and inspect them if you want to but there seems little point replacing them if there is nothing wrong

My 2.0 TSI in the Scirocco (if memory serves me right it's the same engine as the VRS TSI) got them replaced after 5 1/2 years and 45000kms. The dealer said they generally replace them after 4 years or 60000kms.

Unless you are a bit OCD about your car, replacing them after just two years is a bit exaggerated.

Thanks for this - I will take your advice!

 

Is it worth removing them and giving them a clean - I'm sure they need it occasionally?

No plugs self clean when at correct operating tempreture.Also do you have coil removal tool more money you don't need too spend

I used to remove, inspect, quick wire brush, gap and replace plugs on cars I serviced myself. I'd do all four in 15 minutes while letting the last of the oil drain.  Would I bother on a car being serviced for me? No I wouldn't.

I wouldn't wire brush them - it leaves deposits on the plug. You might use a really hard tooth brush. Platinum & iridium plugs should be self cleaning. The old copper plugs you could go crazy on and even file the centre electrode square but the exotics don't need it.

According to my service manual for my gen1 EA888 1.8tsi the change period is 90,000km. According to Skoda (australia) it's 60,000km but that's so it aligns with all the other spark ignition engines and doesn't confuse the techs in the dealership.

I did mine at 90,000km and the looked fine - maybe the gaps were a couple of thou bigger. I used genuine parts at the time - they were expensive.

I recently changed them again at 150,000km (60k interval) and they still looked fine but the replacements were Denso Iridiums off ebay and they were half the price of the genuine parts. I'll probably do it again at 210k - not because it needs it but just because it's relatively cheap & DIY.

4 year old octavia, done 30,000 miles. Garage suggested plugs need changing under manufacturer's recommendations but I couldn't find anywhere that indicates that.  They wanted £200 which I thought was a lot so I've said leave it for now.  

Just had a major service on my 4 and a half year old Vrs. This included a change of plugs.

Mileage was 29800... £265 all in...

My plugs were changed last Friday as part of the cars 4-year Major Service. After five miles in my freshly serviced car there was a puff of smoke, a huge reduction in acceleration, and the EPC light came on. My car (VRS TSI) was clearly firing on 3-cylinders, so I limped her very carefully back to the Dealers. They immediately diagnosed the fault as a split seal on one of the new plugs, which must have came apart / started shorting as soon as I accelerated past ~4K rpm for the first time. All fixed within 30-mins and running perfectly afterwards.

 

Moral of the story is:- if it ain't broke - don't fix it. My car had only done 30K miles so plugs could have been left for another year or two. At least plug replacement is "free" within the Skoda fixed-price £279 Major Service. As a bonus they didn't charge me for the MOT - which passed without comment.

Edited 26 February, 20188 yr by Orville

When I bought my car last month I got my mechanic to change oil and filters and do the plugs but looking at the plugs they looked brand new so that was probably me being overcautious.

They are not cheap either.

Which plugs would you guys recommend for Octavia 1.4 TSI CZDA MY 2016? It's 68 000 km now and still running on OEM plugs (Bosch I suppose). Thinking to change them before winter with oil and air filter. Any NGK would be better? Which number will be apriopriate to CZDA engine? Thanks in advance for any advices.

Edited 15 November, 20205 yr by msemafor

Eurocar parts advertise the following for the CZDA engine:

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/bosch-spark-plug-408440080