In this tech guide we’ll be walking you through a supposedly easier job on something a bit more modern: fitting new coil packs and spark plugs on an early Bentley Continental GT.

Few cars divide opinion quite like the Continental GT. Designed by Dirk Van Braeckel, this gorgeous-looking car was the first all-new Bentley to be launched under VW ownership. It was also the first Bentley to be built using mass-production techniques, yet it was clearly inspired by the pre-buyout Java concept car unveiled at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show.

It launched to rave reviews back in 2003, being widely described as a usable everyday supercar. It apparently had everything – stunning looks, a luxurious interior, and immense power thanks to VW’s 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine. Over the next few years, though, significant maintenance issues started to emerge. The complicated electrics suffered from heat-related damage, causing rough idling and flashing fault lights; and when the cars went to the garage, technicians complained about the cramped engine bay.

We took this Cypress Green 2004 GT in from a customer who had used it extensively but found it increasingly uneconomical. It was in fair to average condition, had done over 100,000 miles, and was suffering from low engine compression and tapping.

The Continental GT is a thing of beauty, no doubt… but even a usually simple job like plugs and coils can be hard work. New spark plugs and coil packs should be fitted every four to five years (or every 40,000-50,000 miles), although premature failure is not uncommon. Just getting at them takes a fair bit of effort, so it’s best to change them all together.

We used NGK plugs, an OEM inlet gasket, and a Flying Spares aftermarket coil pack. People often ask what tool we recommend for spark plug gapping and our personal preference is a feeler gauge.

As always, please note that these articles are intended as general guidance only. For model-specific instructions, please refer to your owner’s manual. Finally, and we can’t emphasise this enough: safety is paramount. Please use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and dispose of waste products responsibly. Good luck and mind your head!

If you have any questions, queries or tips, get in touch with the Flying Spares team on 01455 292949 or email sales@flyingspares.co.uk.

Click the links for the step-by-step guide

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