I'm sure a few of us have had to have their spark plugs changed out as the x250 fleet is getting older. How many have done this on their own or paid someone to have it done. As I approach 100k miles with the original plugs i'm trying to decide what way to go.
I'm generally pretty capable as far as DIY maintenance. So if you replaced you own how did it go. Any hints/tricks. I know it's not an easy job. (Thanks Big Will) but is it doable by the average driveway mechanic. . If you paid someone how much did you pay.
Is this any easier on the NA version vs the supercharged version of the engine.

Thanks

 

There are quite a few posts some with photos of what you ask if you look.

 

My only recommendation would be to remove the left and right secondary bulkheads so you can access the plugs more easily.

 

I wanna do the spark plugs on my car but not sure what's got better results overall for a 2009 jaguar xf sc

 

I'm not sure which engine you have, but on the 4.2 SC it was quite straight forward really.

The plugs are in deep inside the block so you will need a narrow 19mm spark plug remover, I have two, one is too fat to fit in the hole. As someone else mentioned its easier if you remove some of the bulkhead around the top of the block but you can do it without doing so, but its a tight fit and a bit fiddly. The problem being that since the sparks are deep inside the block you need to use an extension bar, but if the bar is too short you can't get the racket handle on to it and if its too long it hits the bulkhead.

Using a 3/8" socket set, I found the plug socket with a 75mm extension bar sat just below the top of the cam cover so attaching a universal joint and a further extension bar (I used 150mm) I could then get them out easily. I couldn't slide the whole thing in assembled because of the lack of clearance from the bulkhead, I had to drop the socket in first, then the 75mm bar with the universal joint attached and wiggle it into the socket. You will need a magnet on a stick because you also can't remove it all in one piece, you have to wiggle them loose and pull them out bit by bit. If you take the bulkhead off then you can go straight down, but that also takes time as the wipers and scuttle might need to come off to get any more useful access to the sparks at the back. It's definitely a relatively easy DIY job as long as you have a decent collection of socket set bits and bobs, time, and a dislike for the skin on the back of your hands.

The hardest part was disconnecting the injector coils from the wiring loom, those little plastic clips are a total PITA to release.