Does anyone have DIY steps/pictures that can help guide me to change the spark plugs on my 2010 XF, V8 N/A?

 

Changing the spark plugs is not very difficult (I have the non-SC... not sure about SC versions), but you do have to remove the plastic sides/walls.
One is between the engine and the fuse box on the left side (as you look at the engine) and between the engine and coolant reservoir.

They are a little bit of PITA to remove (and especially put them back), but you want to do this in order to have easy access to the spark plugs towards the end of the engine on both sides.

Other than that, is business as usual - if you ever done any spark plug change on a car.

 

How do you remove the plastic side wall? Do they just snap on/off or are they screwed down?

 

There are a few screws holding them in place - nothing hidden, you should be able to spot them easily.

 

Mr Newt, if you get a moment, can you take a picture of the fuse box side secondary bulkhead and mark the screw locations? I know it’s a big ask but I had the supercharger off my 2012 and although I got the reservoir side out easily, the fuse box side wouldn’t budge. Also, on the reservoir side there where a couple of locating tabs that had to be slid together. Was it the same on the fuse box side?

 

I can try and have a look at it tomorrow... and maybe get a pic.
I'm taking the car at my friends shop to finally do the oil change on transmission (they let me use one of their hoist - should make the job easier).

 

I think I saw a few bolts holding the cover towards the bottom of the side wall. Am I looking at the right area?

 

Allow me:





There's the same tab setup (see bottom-right of shield), and it's in tight. Generally a ******* to remove.

 

Thanks @davetibbs ! I was about to post mines

 

Also in response to the original question, Big Will did an excellent guide on spark plug change here.

 

Thanks Dave, that's a big help.

 

No problem. Even with all bolts removed, it's still a complete mare to get out. Lots of vigorous wiggling if I remember rightly.

 

I think I did remove all the bolts the last time I tried to remove that panel, I just couldn’t get it to budge. I always worry about applying too much force since I usually end up with a handful of broken parts. The engineer in me always tells me there’s no reason for it to be stuck so tight so I think I’ve missed a bolt. 3 shredded wheat next time.

 

I think quite a bit of it is removing it at the right angle and understanding how it's clipped to other things, especially the angled edge that clips into the rear bulkhead cover (which of course is hard to do while it's still attached). There's probably specific directions you pull on to loosen it, which of course they could mention in the workshop manual, but don't.

 

Pay attention to the bottom part - that's where the thing gets snagged, especially when re-installing.
Is a bigger PITA to re-install than to remove, I did use a little bit of force to remove it.

This is the hardest part on replacing the spark plugs... removing these 2 silly dividers.